Professional Tool Reviews for Pros
One of the greatest challenges we’ve come across is reliably measuring torque on our impact tools. It’s not just us, though. Plenty of businesses can benefit from knowing exactly how much torque their impact tools generate. We got our hands on the Inertia Torque Impact Torque Tester to see how it can help us provide better testing and you have greater confidence.
Before you get started testing impact torque, you need a spot to install the L-1000 and it needs to be solid. We recommend adding the steel mount to give you perfect mounting holes and a stable foundation, especially if you need to install it on a wood bench as we did.
You can choose one of three square drive adapters to go with your unit: 3/8, 1/2, or 3/4-inch. You can pick up additional sizes or spares for $125 each. Installing them is simple using a hex key to work the set screw that holds them in place. Our set screw operated a little tighter than we expected, but it was very obvious when it seated the adapter correctly.
What we love about the adapter-based design is that it eliminates the need for test bolts.
We chose the model that comes with a digital gauge and highly recommend spending the extra to get it. It’s much easier to see exact numbers and the backlight helps if you’re in lower light. A USB-rechargeable battery powers the gauge.
Since the Inertia Torque impact tool torque tester arrived, we’ve run quite a few tests to determine how repeatable it is along with the best test methods. The torque measures in real-time, so it’s easy to adjust if your needs are different than ours.
That said, hitting the trigger for four 5-second bursts with 3 seconds of rest between each one gave us stable top-end torque values. It’s a tough test and some motors get pretty warm, so be sure to give the tool plenty of cool-down time if you’re running multiple tests.
For the models we’ve tested so far, our top-end torque values have run between 65% and 85% of what the specifications rate each impact wrench for. Impact drivers are further away because of how much force the square adapters absorb.
What’s exciting is that when we run multiple tests, our results are within the 1% accuracy rating Inertia Torque claims. Plus, we’re able to get values in every mode, including any assist modes. Even better, the unit measures torque accurately in forward and reverse!
One thing to keep an eye on is the upper torque limit of 1000 ft-lbs. There are high-torque impact wrenches that can easily exceed that limit.
The L-1000 does require maintenance, but it’s pretty simple. Just send it in once a year for calibration and they’ll check the grease levels and other maintenance concerns at the same time. The only downside is the unit is heavy, so shipping back and forth is going to ding your wallet a bit.
The calibration cost is $100 and you can expect the turnaround to be 2 – 3 days.
Our main purpose in using the L-1000 is to give you the best possible information when you’re comparing or considering impact tools. That’s not most people, though. Here are some reasons you might want to order one:
You can order the L-1000 with a digital gauge and adapter size of your choice directly from Inertia Torque for $1500. It’s also available with a standard gauge for $1250. Additional adapters are $125 each and the steel mount is $200. A set of four mounting plate screws is $20.
If you want it all, you can get it. With the standard gauge, mounting plate, and all three adapter sizes, the kit is $1825. You can swap out for the digital gauge and it’s $2075.
Never heard of Inertia Torque? You’re not alone! They’re a company attached to Skidmore-Wilhelm—the company responsible for other power tool torque testing instruments. They know what they’re doing and we have the highest confidence in their team.
The Inertia Torque impact torque tester has completely transformed the way we test impact drivers and impact wrenches. We get accurate, repeatable readings of how much torque each setting produces, giving us much more confidence when we’re working with delicate materials or determining when to take a tool out of service. If having that data is critical to your operations, the L-1000 is well worth the price.
On the clock, Kenny dives deep to discover the practical limits and comparative differences for all kinds of tools. Off the clock, his faith and love for his family are his top priorities, and you'll typically find him in the kitchen, on his bike (he's an Ironman), or taking folks out for a day of fishing on Tampa Bay.
Milwaukee Hammer Collection Grows to 11 Models Hammers are staples in any worker’s toolbox. When there are so many to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one is best for the job at hand. Milwaukee has 11 hammers to choose from, each with its own unique design and size. From framing hammers […]
DeWalt Cordless Ratchets Bring New Options for Mechanics DeWalt Cordless Ratchets come in various degrees sizes and they have models that operate on either the 12V Xtreme or 20V Atomic platform. DeWalt’s new cordless ratchets join products from other manufacturers who have released similar automotive tools. Will these new DeWalt Atomic 20V ratchets and 12V […]
After testing dozens of options, our team picked the absolute best cordless reciprocating saw models from manufacturers we trust the most. What sets these saws apart from the rest of the cordless reciprocating saws? Some run on higher voltages, such as 36V or 60V (54V max). Others use advanced battery technology to pull more power […]
A common issue with many robot vacuums is that they often may get slowed down by obstacles in their path. The Dreametech Bot Z10 Pro Robot Vacuum and Mop uses Lidar navigation technology. This could help it avoid obstacles like furniture and pets by using light and pulsed lasers to steer clear. It also includes […]
As an Amazon Associate, we may earn income when you click on an Amazon link. Thanks for helping us do what we love.
See our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Pro Tool Reviews is a successful online publication that has been providing tool reviews and industry news since 2008. In today’s world of Internet news and online content, we found that more and more professionals researched a large majority of their major power tool purchases online. That piqued our interest.
There’s one key thing to note about Pro Tool Reviews: We’re all about the professional tool user and tradesman!
Copyright ©2008-2022 Pro Tool Reviews, LLC. All rights reserved.
Professional Tool Reviews for Pros
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Feel free to read our full privacy policy.
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
This website uses the following additional cookies:
Gleam.io - This lets us offer giveaways that collect anonymous user information such as the number of visitors to the site. No personal information is collected until or unless it is voluntarily submitted for purposes of manually entering a giveaway.
Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!