Torsional loading is present in a variety of structures and machines. In designing structures that are subjected to this type of loading it is of paramount importance that the effect of loading on the machines be understood. To reinforce the student's learning in a mechanics of material class a low cost table top apparatus is designed which can be used in a classroom or a laboratory. Many engineering programs attempt to strengthen the students understanding by introducing laboratory experiments. In general equipment used to measure the effect of torsional loading are capital intensive and bulky. As a result, the experiments are run by the instructors or by graduate assistants while students are only observing. This newly designed table-top device by the authors, costs fraction of the equipment that are available on the market. Five devices were made and instrumented to be used by 30 students in ME 207 class at Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) during the spring 2014. The students indicated that this was a very useful tool to reinforce understanding of mechanics of materials concepts taught in the class. Overall, this experiment strengthened the understanding of theoretical relationships discussed in class as related to the torsional loading of circular shafts and tubes.
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