Buying used breaker bar

[bchee]

Do you guys think it's safe to get a USED breaker bar. I mean a good, decent US brand.

[Moose-LandTran]

Yep. Snap-on ones last forever. :)

[chammyman]

it'll be fine, chacked theres no cracks etc on it, if its got an allen bolt make sure its tight at the head or if its a pin make sure its not walking out.

[kf4zht]

It's fairly easy to tell when used tools have been abused. I have a used version of just about any type of tool and have never had an issue unless I bought it needing repairs.

I suppose there could be a hairline crack that might shatter on you, I would just look for signs that it was beat with a hammer or that a cheaterbar was used.

[Moose-LandTran]

Come to think of it, two of my three breaker bars are used. Along with ~90% of my Snap-on stuff. Nothing wrong with used tools, so long as they're not abused. :beer:

[Uncle Buck]

I have bought several used through the years from 1/4-3/4 drive and have never gotten a bad one yet.

[bchee]

thanks for the input. I'll be getting it from ebay, so I won't have any way of inspecting it, or knowing if it's been abused.

[paramudduck]

I have yet to have a problem with a preowned breaker bar. As long as it's a well made brand they seem to last forever.

(Unless you place it on the end loader bucket and lift to break a bolt loose on the dozer you are working on.)

[Stanger]

I only have two breaker bars and both are used. A used 18" Snap-On and a used 24" Snap-On. I see no problem with buying used breaker bars. Used torque wrenches are about the only thing I shy away from.

[64merc]

I have yet to have a problem with a preowned breaker bar. As long as it's a well made brand they seem to last forever.

(Unless you place it on the end loader bucket and lift to break a bolt loose on the dozer you are working on.)

Man, you sound like you've had some interesting experiences to say the least. I wish I had more cool stories to tell.

[Moose-LandTran]

thanks for the input. I'll be getting it from ebay, so I won't have any way of inspecting it, or knowing if it's been abused.

I've had good luck with most of my eBay stuff. Pic an auction with good pictures, or i can PM you when i come across them from sellers i've bought form with good results. :)

(Unless you place it on the end loader bucket and lift to break a bolt loose on the dozer you are working on.)

My favourite is bracing the bar against the ground and rocking a car back and forth gently to break wheel bolts and hub nuts loose. I've seen it go wrong a few times too! :lol:

[paramudduck]

Thirty years of working with a lot of idiots. I went to get a part and the "boss" on the job decided to try and rush.

I came back to a loader with half of a Snap on breaker bar through it. We never did figure where the other half disappeared to.

I worked 3 12's as a nurse then moonlighted in construction and farm equipment repairs.

[billymade]

Get a good deal on a Snapon and it will be the last one you buy; unless you lose it! I don't recommend the Craftsman breaker bars.... they "break" too easily!

[bchee]

I've had good luck with most of my eBay stuff. Pic an auction with good pictures, or i can PM you when i come across them from sellers i've bought form with good results. :)



Thanks. I've been finding some decent stuff on ebay so far.

What's a good size, should i buy a 24" bar, or save some money and get the 15" bar and cheater pipe.

I already have 1/2" ratchets in 15" and 18".

[64merc]

Thanks. I've been finding some decent stuff on ebay so far.

What's a good size, should i buy a 24" bar, or save some money and get the 15" bar and cheater pipe.

I already have 1/2" ratchets in 15" and 18".


Well, I have a 24" SO breaker only because I got it for $20. IMO, if I were you I would just get the 15" and use a cheater when necessary.

[paramudduck]

Go with the 24. Unless you work on Caravans or Lotus's

[bchee]

Well, I have a 24" SO breaker only because I got it for $20. IMO, if I were you I would just get the 15" and use a cheater when necessary.

How did you manage that deal?

[64merc]

How did you manage that deal?

I don't know, I was at one of my usual pawn shops and I saw it behind the counter (it did not have the usual price label on it). I asked how much just for kicks, since I figured it was out of my budget. Anyway, the manager said "give me 20 bucks for it". I played it cool and said "ok, that sounds fair". :)

[Jbullfrog]

Breaker bars only have 1 moving part, so there really isn't much to go wrong. As for what size, get the biggest one you can find for the least amount of money.

[Blacknwhitepit]

I have an 18" MAC I'll sell for $20 Plus S&H

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w209/blacknwhitepit/100_2692.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w209/blacknwhitepit/100_2693.jpg

-BWP

[eschoendorff]

Not a MAC fan, but that's still a real nice breaker bar for $20! :beer:

[Crawlin]

Everybody hates on MAC stuff, but my 18" with the red hard handle has been awesome. I bought it new for 90 bucks but it was well worth it. I think MAC has the toughest out there but most will disagree and continue to swing from Snap-on's nuts.

[wilbilt]

Thirty years of working with a lot of idiots. I went to get a part and the "boss" on the job decided to try and rush.

I came back to a loader with half of a Snap on breaker bar through it. We never did figure where the other half disappeared to.

I worked 3 12's as a nurse then moonlighted in construction and farm equipment repairs.

I hope the speared breaker bar was related to the farm job and not the medical one...:eek2:

[paramudduck]

It was a construction company. They managed to clog an injector on a dozer. Had one bolt we couldn't get out of a shield they had installed.

I sprayed it and went in for a new injector. (Call out was it wouldn't turn over)

Came back to a mess called the office on the radio and told them to send some one else out. Then had to convince them I wasn't kidding.

The one guy swore the half we couldn't find went by his ear sounding like a bullet.

Wilbilt I won't even start into the stories from the squads and ER's I don't think you guys would believe a 1/4 of the idiot stuff we saw.

Merkava is straight laced compared to a lot of these nuts!

[eschoendorff]

Yeah... maybe the ER stories are better left untold... :thumbup:

[Moose-LandTran]

Wilbilt I won't even start into the stories from the squads and ER's I don't think you guys would believe a 1/4 of the idiot stuff we saw.

I want to hear! :)

Merkava is straight laced compared to a lot of these nuts!

Well, comparatively.. :lol:

[speed bump]

I want to hear! :)



Well, comparatively.. :lol:

Trust me you don't want to hear those stories moose and if you do here them you will wish you could rip your eyes out and forget.