22 replies to this topic

[ryomini]

Cheers guys

for about 50 quid I may well invest in one of those digi adapters then if people feel they are accurate and

durable - it would fill in my gaps and could be used as a calibration tool also (up to a point of course)

[Anthony30]

I prefer the click type. not the digital type. Just my personal preference really. 

[dklawson]

One of the nice things about the digital adapters is that they can be set to read the peak torque or give an audible beep as the approach and reach a set point.  This is very handy when working on critical areas.

 

The one thing to keep in mind is what the inline torque adapters are and treat them carefully.  They are load cells that mount electronics onto a socket wrench extension.  Under no circumstances should you grab the electronics box as a handle to screw bolts in (like it was a handle).   The few negative reviews I have seen about these products have been from people who misused them.

[gazza82]

I've got a 1/2" Draper that has Nm and ft/lb from 30Nm (from justoffbase) and a cheaper 3/8" ft/lb only one for smaller bolts that starts at 5ft/lb.

I built my first A-series engine with a simple beam-type wrench ... it bent leaving a pointer over the gauge. Calibrating that was screwing the plate back on tight!

[dklawson]

The beam type is what I started with also.  They are still quite useful and generally accurate if you have a good view of the pointer scale.  I still use a beam type occasionally at work to determine what torque setting I want to use on assemblies we build.  The beam type give you a real feel for where you are in torque application.

[gazza82]

It's still in the garage but the plastic handle shattered due to age so not comfortable to use now. I've loctited the screws holding the gauge plate so that don't move now either

[ac427]

Norbar are good as are Britool

[Tommyboy12]

Ive done all my torquing up with a beam-type. Everything from cylinder heads to driveshafts castle nuts. Never had a problem with it. I had a click-type which I managed to use about 3 times before it went out of calibration. Its still sat in its case in my shed being totally useless...