Old comment, but for everyone reading this now: i had the opportunity to test one of these cheap digital torque meters on a very expensive snap on torque calibrater and they were as close as 1% in torque measurements. I would assume if you were to cycle them about 1000 times they would certainly lose some accuracy, but if you buy one and just use it to calibrater your mechanical wrenches you are probably good to go for the rest of your life with these.
This is a great review and unit from Harbor Freight. Sent back my Snap On 3/8 torque wrench for rebuilt and once back, checked it against this digital adapter. The digital adapter was spot on.
it's right there with my 250lbs CDI dial torque wrench. I snap it on to the CDI, and when it reads 75, so does the harbor freight. I played around with different torque settings; it was always spot on!
The total torque being applied to the socket is the sum of the moment of force applied by your hand and the moment of force of the weight of the wrench applied at the wrench's center of mass. This might be why the adapter's readings are consistently higher than the torque values set on the wrench. One way to eliminate this would be to orient the wrench vertically and pull horizontally.
Yet another great and very very helpful video! The included instructions (with HF torque wrench) were never clear; thanks for providing this tutorial. Video also proves that cheap HF torque wrenches ($10 on sale/coupon) are at least as good as the more expensive Craftsman
The 1/2" HF torque wrench is good quality. The 3/8" HF torque wrench can be a hit and miss as some don't give a solid click. I did exchange it once and the second one was good. They do have a lifetime warranty, can't beat that deal.
this is a good video. but one thing ppl should know is. you need to hold wrench head with one head so it sits perfect on lug nut and one hand should be perfectly pushing 90 degrees on the handle. rotating the wrench at angle introduces error percentage reading which makes calibrating accuracies worthless from the beginning.👍🏻
Very nicely done, with clear, logical narrative and good audio and lighting. Using a digital torque adapter is certainly simpler than buying three torque wrenches for different torque ranges, and having to recalibrate periodically. Using a digital torque adapter to check/calibrate accurately a non-digital torque wrench is certainly quicker and more accurate than mechanical methods. Some questions-- (1) Does the digital torque adapter ever prevent adequate clearance when torquing a nut? Placing the adapter between a wrench and its socket could change clearance when working in tight areas (2) If I do have a clearance problem, and am forced to add a socket extension of say, 12 inches or longer, have you found a socket extension makes your digital torque adapter's indicated value different/inaccurate-- at least, compared to the value indicated without the socket extension? (3) Have you found your digital adapter depletes lithium button batteries too quickly? That is a subjective point, but it might be relevant if fading voltage on a lithium battery gives inaccurate readings. (4) Have you ever dropped the digital adapter?
Great video and very helpful! Thanks for doing that! You might want to explain how to zero out the handle with the increments on the wrench after adjusting the spring if need be?
I tried loosening the set screw with the needle nose, but couldn't get it to loosen. Went back to try readjusting the torque wrench and now I can't get it to spin. Any ideas?
You don't have to check it all the time. Only if you drop it, or if you are a mechanic that uses it a lot. Also make sure you wind down the torque setting before storing.
+Brian Ng Yes! I just ditched the cover and take the battery out when I store it for long periods. I also turn it off immediately while using it on a project.
The Pittsburgh torque adapter used small button-type batteries. Harbor Freight has replaced it with a new model ("Quinn" brand) that uses AAA batteries, for much better battery life.
dial2fast I understand that they are both units of measure. I was curious as to why you didn't just leave the tester in Ft/lbs when checking the 3/8" drive. I thought there might be some reason (like the use of the drive size adapter), other than just because you can.
Pretty easy because when you set your torque wrench at the poundage and the adapter is within the limit both are working. Most people have more than one torque wrench you don't usually have all the torque wrenches go bad at the same time. Even if you're doing inch pounds easy to convert.
Another excellent tutorial. I got the torque adapter and with your video I hope to check all my torque wrenches if they are within the accepted range. I wish they had one for 1/4 torque wrenches with the in-lb range.
Edmund Mendez I would loved to see an adapter for the general masses that is accurate , not too expensive and completely reliable for all sizes of torque wrenches and for ranges between 0 and 400 foot pounds. Haven't found a single adapter to calibrate my 50-250 torque wrench. Most 1/2" adapters stop at 147ft/lbs.
Edmund you can use this HF digital adapter for that...it even comes with an included adapter for an inch pound wrench. You'll just have to make the conversion from the foot pound reading to inch pound yourself.
I don’t think I’d use a cheap tool from the vendor of the cheapest tools in America as a calibration reference for torque wrenches that I use. I’d be more inclined to trust my torque wrenches to determine how far off the HF tool is.
hahaha coupon number plz..:P well currently im using $10 beam torque wrench (150 ft-ib) the good thing is it does not need collaboration but a tricky to use..:) thanks for the video sharing.its informative.
Good video but according to. ruclips.net/video/Fwfnf06dl84/видео.htmlsi=PS9coWzBQ5TzG685. How can you use a torque tester in this position when the length of a handel changes the amount of torque at the nut?
This device is NOT designed to check the accuracy of click type torque wrenches and should not be used for that purpose. It only has "PEAK" and "TRACE" (aka TRACK) modes. For click wrench calibration, you need FIRST PEAK mode, which the device does not have. For what it's designed to do, it's probably OK. Keep in mind it is ± 2% accurate. Remember when buying tools, you generally get what you pay for. Gary @ Snap-on Tools.
This test is still good enough to give a general accuracy of torque, right? Or can the click bar he used, lets say, really only be 20 ft lbs instead of the 70 ft lbs just because it is not First Peak? How off is the +- accuracy of the test he did?
Using a tool with a +/- 2% margin of error to calibrate wrenches with a +/- 4% error is going to give you bad results. Who's to say the digital isn't high and then your wrench low. No doubt this gets them close, but you could end up with up to a 6% margin of error. That 70 pound measurement had a plus or minus of 2.8 pounds, which it was within range. Torque wrenches don't measure in linear accuracy. Getting it dead on at one point probably moves your accuracy out of spec somewhere else.
Yes torque wrenches are not accurate at either low or upper end of the range. If you have never dropped or abused your torque wrench, there is no reason to ever calibrate it, but for those who has one that is messed up, this is a good way to get it back to working order.
dial2fast A good torque wrench will be accurate between 10% and 100% of scale. You are also talking about the accuracy range - is that +/- 2% of full scale value or indicated value. That makes a huge difference. The accepted formula for calibrating wrenches is simply a 4:1 ratio. If you are calibrating a torque wrench that is +/- 2% you need a torque tester to be at least +/- .5% and you need the resolution to prove that it is infact that accuracy level.
dial2fast When i read "If you have never dropped or abused your torque wrench, there is no reason to ever calibrate it" i almost cracked a "WTF did you just say" type of smile. And I never smile. Also, adding the reducing adapter effectively changes the reliability of accuracy. Not a valid test. Test at three or more torque values with repeated checks. 100%, 60% and 20%. Repeat full checks three times. That is the standard from American Society of Mechanical Engineers, or ASME. Never only test Just High, Just Low and certainly Not Just Mid Range calibration. Should use this method only to give you enough self validation to do it right or buy a new quality wrench, they are so darn cheap nowadays. Don't buy HF or MasterCraft or Craftsman or Husky or whatever El-Cheapo tool unless that is who you are. El-Cheapo is where you put your ego before safety and practicality. The above are the really poor mechanics choice of scrap-n-crap torque wrenches. Get a Proto or a CDI and pass this better quality tool to your son when you pass on from making bad videos. Don't have to buy Snap On. That's just tossing money away. Otherwise a good general informational video.
We are not speaking of centrifugal forces here. Your reply is pure deflection. Please allow me my turn. Testing equipment fitment and device flex is very important. If it wasn't, why not use a universal joint when you test a measuring device for accuracy? Because it should not be used! What is important is that I think you realize the video could have been presented better. And honestly, I think you already got that. I do thank you for doing this video. These types of videos are extremely important. They provide all of us very important knowledge. We need these videos. Keep them coming. But please keep it real. I would say that anyone providing professional expertise and information in a half-masted manor to ensure our family's safety have a true responsibility to be as accurate as possible. Especially if it involves a moving vehicle. I am sure you would feel horrible if a young child was seriously hurt or worse if a fatally occurred due to an improperly maintained vehicle because somebody followed your view or expertise to the letter.
Assumes that the digital torque reader is accurately. All torque wrenches need to go to a testing facility where they will be tested and a graph produced of indicated vs actual and perhaps multiple lines based on temperature.
That digital torque adapter is very accurate! I pitted it against my CDI dial torque wrenches and snap on, proto clicker type. I have mine calibrated at a certified shop.
Great video..but how do you know the adapter is calibrated?
How do you know if the digital torque meter is accurately calibrated?
“That’s the neat thing, you don’t”
Old comment, but for everyone reading this now: i had the opportunity to test one of these cheap digital torque meters on a very expensive snap on torque calibrater and they were as close as 1% in torque measurements. I would assume if you were to cycle them about 1000 times they would certainly lose some accuracy, but if you buy one and just use it to calibrater your mechanical wrenches you are probably good to go for the rest of your life with these.
@donta, tmebro-, they are calibrated and need recalibration after a period of time
This is a great review and unit from Harbor Freight. Sent back my Snap On 3/8 torque wrench for rebuilt and once back, checked it against this digital adapter. The digital adapter was spot on.
Really appreciate you sharing your experience with this unit, as many people feel negatively because of the HF name on it.
it's right there with my 250lbs CDI dial torque wrench. I snap it on to the CDI, and when it reads 75, so does the harbor freight. I played around with different torque settings; it was always spot on!
The total torque being applied to the socket is the sum of the moment of force applied by your hand and the moment of force of the weight of the wrench applied at the wrench's center of mass. This might be why the adapter's readings are consistently higher than the torque values set on the wrench. One way to eliminate this would be to orient the wrench vertically and pull horizontally.
Oh man, you and your video is just awesome and so helpful!
Thank you for your comment. Have a great week!
This is brilliant outstanding straight to the point.
Yet another great and very very helpful video! The included instructions (with HF torque wrench) were never clear; thanks for providing this tutorial. Video also proves that cheap HF torque wrenches ($10 on sale/coupon) are at least as good as the more expensive Craftsman
The 1/2" HF torque wrench is good quality. The 3/8" HF torque wrench can be a hit and miss as some don't give a solid click. I did exchange it once and the second one was good. They do have a lifetime warranty, can't beat that deal.
this is a good video. but one thing ppl should know is. you need to hold wrench head with one head so it sits perfect on lug nut and one hand should be perfectly pushing 90 degrees on the handle. rotating the wrench at angle introduces error percentage reading which makes calibrating accuracies worthless from the beginning.👍🏻
Very nicely done, with clear, logical narrative and good audio and lighting. Using a digital torque adapter is certainly simpler than buying three torque wrenches for different torque ranges, and having to recalibrate periodically. Using a digital torque adapter to check/calibrate accurately a non-digital torque wrench is certainly quicker and more accurate than mechanical methods. Some questions--
(1) Does the digital torque adapter ever prevent adequate clearance when torquing a nut? Placing the adapter between a wrench and its socket could change clearance when working in tight areas
(2) If I do have a clearance problem, and am forced to add a socket extension of say, 12 inches or longer, have you found a socket extension makes your digital torque adapter's indicated value different/inaccurate-- at least, compared to the value indicated without the socket extension?
(3) Have you found your digital adapter depletes lithium button batteries too quickly? That is a subjective point, but it might be relevant if fading voltage on a lithium battery gives inaccurate readings.
(4) Have you ever dropped the digital adapter?
Which is more accurate? the wrench or the adaptor? Can the adaptor be out? Cant I just use the adaptor and not the wrench?
how to you calibrate the digital one?
Thanks for very useful and clear information.
It would be good to hold the end of the torque wrench to keep it square to the fastener. Also use a slightly shorter socket.
How to calibrate the torque wrench calibrator?
How do you know that the HF torque adapter is accurate?
don't you have to zero out the torque wrench before calibration? so you will do your adjustment while at zero torque?
I have one of these digital torque wrenches but they are AC delco
Hi is that adapter two way I mean use open bolt and tighten bolt to check torque or use only tighten bolt read measurement
Thanks
Only for tightening.
Great video and very helpful! Thanks for doing that! You might want to explain how to zero out the handle with the increments on the wrench after adjusting the spring if need be?
Very informative. Thank you
Thanks! This saves me from reading the manual
So, can i use this when i torque wheel lug nuts (80ft/lb) instead of a regular torque wrench?
I have a dumb question. Does a different handle length change the torque readings?
i'm thinking of getting this , but everytime you press 2 buttons at the same time i get paranoid that it's going to reset the calibration
Next video idea: How to refinish your alloy wheels ;). Great video though, always enjoy!
What if the digital torque wrench is out of calibration
The digital adapter need to be calibrate?
also if the digital adapter is off it will be off for everything else
2021 now, that thing still working fine ??
I tried loosening the set screw with the needle nose, but couldn't get it to loosen. Went back to try readjusting the torque wrench and now I can't get it to spin. Any ideas?
As per other comments, the head of the torque wrench should be held to insure a balance on the threads!
How much torque do you use on the collar nut of the torque wrench?
Why do these things have to be continually checked and tested is it because of faulty manufacturing
You don't have to check it all the time. Only if you drop it, or if you are a mechanic that uses it a lot. Also make sure you wind down the torque setting before storing.
Shouldn't you loosen the nut in between each test instead of re-torqueing what you just torqued? Try it and see what you get
do you also get pretty bad battery life with your digital torque adapter?
+Brian Ng Yes! I just ditched the cover and take the battery out when I store it for long periods. I also turn it off immediately while using it on a project.
I heard the foam lining will turn the unit on when the lid is closed and drain your battery.
The Pittsburgh torque adapter used small button-type batteries. Harbor Freight has replaced it with a new model ("Quinn" brand) that uses AAA batteries, for much better battery life.
You can do same test with luggage scale, just simple maths
What is the reason for changing from Ft/lbs to Nm when calibrating a 3/8" drive with an adapter?
Lonewlf7676 It's just a different unit of measure for you to measure torque when you use it to tighten a bolt.
dial2fast I understand that they are both units of measure. I was curious as to why you didn't just leave the tester in Ft/lbs when checking the 3/8" drive. I thought there might be some reason (like the use of the drive size adapter), other than just because you can.
Often the 3/8" torque wrenches are in Nm.
What is trace?
a 2021 Chevy Blazer lugs nuts are 140 ft lbs.
I assume that the adapter is actually not transferring the torque to the lug nut. Otherwise, you are just over tightening them.
Outstanding video! Extremely informative! I am looking at picking up the HF Digital Torque Adapter and a Tekton Torque Wrench! Subscribed!!
How do you know that the digital torque adaptor is accurate as well? that is the big question now...
Pretty easy because when you set your torque wrench at the poundage and the adapter is within the limit both are working. Most people have more than one torque wrench you don't usually have all the torque wrenches go bad at the same time. Even if you're doing inch pounds easy to convert.
can you change the batteries in that thing?
yep 2 AAA
Another excellent tutorial. I got the torque adapter and with your video I hope to check all my torque wrenches if they are within the accepted range. I wish they had one for 1/4 torque wrenches with the in-lb range.
Edmund Mendez I would loved to see an adapter for the general masses that is accurate , not too expensive and completely reliable for all sizes of torque wrenches and for ranges between 0 and 400 foot pounds. Haven't found a single adapter to calibrate my 50-250 torque wrench. Most 1/2" adapters stop at 147ft/lbs.
Edmund you can use this HF digital adapter for that...it even comes with an included adapter for an inch pound wrench. You'll just have to make the conversion from the foot pound reading to inch pound yourself.
hi I have a question. can you do 6.5 lbs on a digital wrench and will that be acurate to a non digital torque wrench?
There are torque wrenches that go that low, but not your typical automotive torque wrench.
I don’t think I’d use a cheap tool from the vendor of the cheapest tools in America as a calibration reference for torque wrenches that I use. I’d be more inclined to trust my torque wrenches to determine how far off the HF tool is.
Okay pal. Don't knock the digital age old man. This thing right chere f*cks!
it would be worth while to modify a socket to calibrate a torque wrench .weld a bolt or some thing ,so you could slip a allen wrench inside it .
CAN YOU USE THIS TOOL ON MOTORCYCLE
Yes
THANKS BRO
Pressing M and Power together ONLY recalibrates tool back to factory settings, thus ERASING the preset(memory) settings YOU put into tool!
Is that what it does? I did that with my HF digital torque adapter & thought I may have permanently jazzed it up. Thanks for mentioning that Isshman.
ممكن ان تعيد الشرح ولكن باللغة العربية وشكرا لك.
you have four four torque wrenches..00.) may i grab one?!
+billal x LOL...check out Harbor Freight. With a coupon, you can get one for $10.
hahaha coupon number plz..:P well currently im using $10 beam torque wrench (150 ft-ib) the good thing is it does not need collaboration but a tricky to use..:) thanks for the video sharing.its informative.
Couldn't you just use a breaker bar and the digital adapter and watch the gauge
Yes. But there are some circumstances where you don’t have the clearance to use the adapter so you would need just a regular torque wrench.
@flyer8493 just need for changing mower blade
@@wayne1362 Breaker bar should be fine then.
Good video but according to. ruclips.net/video/Fwfnf06dl84/видео.htmlsi=PS9coWzBQ5TzG685. How can you use a torque tester in this position when the length of a handel changes the amount of torque at the nut?
My lug nuts on my 1500 Silverado ar at 140 ft pounds
2:29 p/t button gets stuck lmao
yah the buttons do get jammed if you don't push them evenly; however, they do not keep pressing down on the settings.
i know this has nothing to do with this video but i was just wondering are you Hmong?
+houa vang Nope
Perhaps filipino
This device is NOT designed to check the accuracy of click type torque wrenches and should not be used for that purpose. It only has "PEAK" and "TRACE" (aka TRACK) modes.
For click wrench calibration, you need FIRST PEAK mode, which the device does not have. For what it's designed to do, it's probably OK. Keep in mind it is ± 2% accurate. Remember when buying tools, you generally get what you pay for. Gary @ Snap-on Tools.
This test is still good enough to give a general accuracy of torque, right? Or can the click bar he used, lets say, really only be 20 ft lbs instead of the 70 ft lbs just because it is not First Peak? How off is the +- accuracy of the test he did?
Using a tool with a +/- 2% margin of error to calibrate wrenches with a +/- 4% error is going to give you bad results. Who's to say the digital isn't high and then your wrench low. No doubt this gets them close, but you could end up with up to a 6% margin of error. That 70 pound measurement had a plus or minus of 2.8 pounds, which it was within range. Torque wrenches don't measure in linear accuracy. Getting it dead on at one point probably moves your accuracy out of spec somewhere else.
Yes torque wrenches are not accurate at either low or upper end of the range. If you have never dropped or abused your torque wrench, there is no reason to ever calibrate it, but for those who has one that is messed up, this is a good way to get it back to working order.
dial2fast
A good torque wrench will be accurate between 10% and 100% of scale. You are also talking about the accuracy range - is that +/- 2% of full scale value or indicated value. That makes a huge difference. The accepted formula for calibrating wrenches is simply a 4:1 ratio. If you are calibrating a torque wrench that is +/- 2% you need a torque tester to be at least +/- .5% and you need the resolution to prove that it is infact that accuracy level.
dial2fast When i read "If you have never dropped or abused your torque wrench, there is no reason to ever calibrate it" i almost cracked a "WTF did you just say" type of smile. And I never smile.
Also, adding the reducing adapter effectively changes the reliability of accuracy. Not a valid test. Test at three or more torque values with repeated checks. 100%, 60% and 20%. Repeat full checks three times. That is the standard from American Society of Mechanical Engineers, or ASME. Never only test Just High, Just Low and certainly Not Just Mid Range calibration.
Should use this method only to give you enough self validation to do it right or buy a new quality wrench, they are so darn cheap nowadays.
Don't buy HF or MasterCraft or Craftsman or Husky or whatever El-Cheapo tool unless that is who you are. El-Cheapo is where you put your ego before safety and practicality. The above are the really poor mechanics choice of scrap-n-crap torque wrenches. Get a Proto or a CDI and pass this better quality tool to your son when you pass on from making bad videos. Don't have to buy Snap On. That's just tossing money away.
Otherwise a good general informational video.
HawaiianF150 2009-4/6-L3V A reducer does not effect the accuracy, you're not changing your center of rotational mass.
We are not speaking of centrifugal forces here. Your reply is pure deflection. Please allow me my turn. Testing equipment fitment and device flex is very important. If it wasn't, why not use a universal joint when you test a measuring device for accuracy? Because it should not be used! What is important is that I think you realize the video could have been presented better. And honestly, I think you already got that.
I do thank you for doing this video. These types of videos are extremely important. They provide all of us very important knowledge. We need these videos. Keep them coming.
But please keep it real. I would say that anyone providing professional expertise and information in a half-masted manor to ensure our family's safety have a true responsibility to be as accurate as possible. Especially if it involves a moving vehicle. I am sure you would feel horrible if a young child was seriously hurt or worse if a fatally occurred due to an improperly maintained vehicle because somebody followed your view or expertise to the letter.
Assumes that the digital torque reader is accurately. All torque wrenches need to go to a testing facility where they will be tested and a graph produced of indicated vs actual and perhaps multiple lines based on temperature.
Trash 🗑
I wouldnt trust anything from harbor freight
That digital torque adapter is very accurate! I pitted it against my CDI dial torque wrenches and snap on, proto clicker type. I have mine calibrated at a certified shop.
these are rubbish torque wrenches
Nice video .