Powerbuilt 1/2 in. Drive Digital Torque Adapter

I think the previous poster would be better served with a 1/4 inch version of this adapter in that the ft/lb torque would be in the range 4.4 – 22.1 ft lbs, yielding a more sensitive and useable inch/lb range of 52.8 – 265.2. Rather than the range of 29 – 147 ft/lbs., or equivalent 348 – 1764 in/lbs., of the 1/2 in drive unit he bought. Live and learn, I guess. We have all been there, for sure.take care

Great product highly recommended, Display could be a bit bigger. Still very happy with the product.

Accurate enough Audio signal not loud enough

Great product highly recommended, Display could be a bit bigger. Still very happy with the product.

The display is too small and it eats batteries like crazy””after just a few uses

I have always wondered if my old Torque wench was reading correctly. Well now I have a chance to check and adjust it if needed.This little device can be used with just a ratchet as a torque wench or as a tester for the old one.As I have rebuilt cars before and used a torque wench to secure the bolts and nuts, I have worried if they were set correctly.Comes in a nice plastic case that will store the device and adaptor. Well worth the price.

The product may work well for others, but I had a difficult time adjusting the settings. The inch lbs didn’t go low enough and rendered it useless for me. You could buy a real torque wrench for just a few dollars more. The tool is variable in that it does all torque ratings such as inch lbs, ft lbs, etc. This might work well for others.

I intended to, primarily, use this to check the calibration on my other torque wrenches. Now that I have used it I may just go ahead and use it instead of the traditional style torque wrenches. One thing that I absolutely love about this tool is that you don’t have to return the torque setting to zero every time you finish a job and put the tool away. I always have a problem remembering to do that on my old wrenches. When I checked my 1/2″ torque wrench it is reading about 3 pounds low according to the adapter. That is close enough as far as I am concerned. I noticed that several people complained about this tool eating batteries but I have not had a problem.

Powerbuilt 1/2 in. Drive Digital Torque Adapter is both a torque tool as well as a calibrator for other torque wrenches. It functions as an electronic torque, but it also can be used to test the accuracy of other types of torque wrenches. Everything fits in a sturdy plastic case along with a calibration adapter to hold the tool when used in a vise. The electronic wrench has settings between 30 to 150 foot pounds and can display other units of measurement. The unit goes in between the socket or calibration adapter in a vise with the socket wrench on top. The unit is powered by a single CR-2032 battery and a spare should be kept for backup; although the manual says it will last 55 hours depending on use. I went through a battery just learning how to use it.The operation is straight forward. Push the power on button, set the desired torque measurement units by toggling both the Mem/Trace buttons. Reading the measurement units setting is small, but normally just have to set it once. The target torque is set with the + / – buttons on the bottom. It has three methods to signal when the target setting is reached. It will display a digital readout of the value, it has a three color LED light with red as the final display and lastly, an audio signal emits a steady hum. It stores 50 readings in memory with the peak and trace button as well as the target setting. Peak gives the last high torque readings and trace saves the readings on the display as you apply torque to the socket. The downside is the digital display is small and it has to be facing you to read, obviously. This is where the other signaling methods in the unit come in handy. I found the lights and sound the easier way to use it for tightening sockets with the readout when I need to calibrate or want the precise value. This tool can check the accuracy of a second torque wrench by first mounting the calibration adapter in a vise. It holds this tool in a fixed position. Attach the torque wrench to be tested where the socket drive normally goes on top. As you turn it you will get two readings, one is from the torque wrench being tested and the other from this unit with the digital readout. If they are the same, the test torque wrench matches the electronic readout. You know the test instruments accuracy as they provide readings in a certificate of inspection for your particular tool. I have a couple of torque wrenches that I use and tested them. The oldest is a bar torque wrench that still works well after forty years and after some abuse. A while ago I got a digital torque wrench that is easier to read and now have this third double-duty new one. I checked the two against this instrument and they were all in agreement so I have more confidence in their accuracy. The torque bar was the least accurate, but then I was reading off an analog scale. The other torque wrench has a digital readout and was very close. In using this device I like it a lot. It is compact, feel less likely to be mishandled and easy to use once you get past the learning curve. The down size is the read-outs which should be larger and battery life. Overall, given I can now additionally check my other torque wrenches for accuracy is a definite plus.

This torque adapter is a great tool – a must have for any home shop. It comes assembled with a hard-sided carrying case and socket. It has a 1/2″ drive and the digital readout is bright and clear. The adapter has thorough, clear instructions and 5 torque unit modes. It also arrives with a quality control certificate from 2 employees with tolerances included. A nice bit of reassurance when using this tool.The adapter has 2 modes for use: trace and peak. Trace mode tracks the amount of torque as it’s applied, while peak displays the maximum torque applied. The adapter also has built in audio and light indicators to let you know when you reach the set amount of torque. It’s a great, easy to use tool for calibrating accurate, and safe, amounts of torque.