How to choose mechanical and strength test equipment
By Grant, Inspection Tool Specialists. Reviewed November 2026.
Three things decide which mechanical or strength test equipment you need: the force or torque you must apply or measure, whether the test is a push, pull, tension, peel or twist, and whether you need records. Answer those first. For force gauges and tensile machines in detail, see our force gauge and universal tensile guides.
Which equipment?
| Need | Equipment | Typical in our range |
|---|---|---|
| Push or pull checks, tight budget | Digital force gauge | FG107 digital force gauge |
| Force on a bench rig | Test stand | FGS-1 test stand |
| Precise low-force tests | Digital force gauge | PCE-DFG 5 X; PCE-DFG 1K X |
| Heavy tension, wireless readout | Tension dynamometer | PCE-DDM 10WI; PCE-DDM 20 |
| Torque on caps and fasteners | Torque tester | TG-104 torque meter; ECT bottle cap torque tester |
| Peel strength of bonded layers | Peel tester | SL-8197 horizontal peel tester |
| Tensile and compression, material testing | Universal testing machine | SL-8170 single-column machine; ST-1160 dual-column machine |
Records and checks
Check force and torque instruments against a known load or reference before a batch of tests, and keep the record. Mount specimens in line with the axis of the instrument, because off-axis loads give wrong readings and can damage the equipment.
Price guide
As a guide to our current range, including VAT: digital force gauges from about R6,100 to R32,400; torque meters from about R10,700 to R28,600; tension dynamometers from about R37,000 to R68,200; peel and universal testing machines from about R64,000 to R167,000. Prices change, so check the product pages and confirm the grips, fixtures and calibration each quote includes.
Questions we will ask you
Tell us the force or torque range, the type of test, the specimen or product, the standard or procedure, whether you need records, and the space and power available. With that we can recommend equipment and provide pricing.