Breaker Bars and Oscillating Tool blades

[BikerDad]

So, I'm looking at getting some breaker bars, which, once I recently figured out what the heck they're for, seem like they would've come in mighty handy a few times in the past and likely a few in the future.

Recommendations for 3/8" and 1/2", including length suggestions.

The second question I have concerns oscillating tool blades. Recently, I used my Bosch 12v Oscillating tool for the first time, and was quite depressed (/s) to find that I have only the one blade that came with the tool. Fortunately, that one blade WAS up to the task of butchering, er, cutting down the plastic "tray" that my most recent set of Crossbeam wrenches came in, but I had recently run into a situation where I might have been cutting some metal with it, had I remembered I had it.

So, I need some recommendations for blades to get (I'm not anticipating any tile work), including the brand. Does anyone know if the Dremel blades are, in fact, the same as the Bosch blades?

 

[southalabama]

I've got an assortment of about five dremel blades. They come in a plastic case and cut a variety of things. They've held up well.

As far as breaker bars. Get what you can afford. You'll get a lot of different opinions here.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Breaker bars, longer is better because you get more leverage.

 

[cheechi]

I don't think the Dremel blades are the same as Bosch across the board. One or two might be, most probably not.

Here's what I would do. As you get a handle on what blades you use most often, consider the cost per cut. Some you will want from HF, some Imperial, some Fein or Bosch. Yours are going to be different from mine. I have had the same HF crescent blade as a general purpose wood/plastic/soft metal/misc blade for years. There are some teeth left and its shape isn't really one that you need to be real precise with.

The HF and a misc Stanley breaker bars are good enough for me, never needed longer.

 

[joejeep92]

Breaker bars...I only use them when I REALLY need something to come loose and honestly I have broken more of them than my big ratchets. As previously stated get them long.

 

[3baygarage]

Not sure what you do but I'd recommend a USA made 24" breaker bar in 1/2" for sure.

Lot's of good used ones on Ebay.

I'd stay away from cheap imports for safety's sake.

 

[Loscaldazar]

1/2 drive- 24" and 18" I have a 30" 1/2 drive breaker bar (titan) and I never use it anymore. Too much flex compared to my 24" SK, and I am more than strong enough to break anything loose with it (at least on the vehicles that I work on, YMMV). 24" is already stretching the limits of how long a 1/2 drive breaker bar should be. The 18" SK is nice when the 24" doesn't fit, and is SUPER stout. Love them both and have zero problems with them.

3/8 Drive- 10-12" and maybe even a 18" one. I have a 10" SK and a Titan 18" breaker bar. Both are very stout and don't flex (the titan 18" 3/8 drive breaker bar is basically a 1/2 drive bar with a 3/8 head on it, and only being 18" it doesn't suffer from flex like the 30" 1/2 drive). The 18" 3/8 drive comes in use fairly often actually.

I'd go SK. They are very stout and thick compared to most other brands. Cheap compared to other quality US made bars too.

 

[Monte]

for cutting metal i would get this Bosch blade:
http://toolguyd.com/oscillating-blade-best-metal-cutting-performance/

 

[1foxracing]

For 1/2" breaker bar I have to Wright Tool 4434 24" model purchased from the beloved Harry J Epstein Co. http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/12drhand/4434.html

If you want cheap get the 24" Harbor freight model that's always on sale for $12. It my loaner.

 

[monomach]

Harbor Freight's 25" long 1/2" drive breaker bar is ridiculously good. It's like $10 when it's on sale (with coupon). Plenty of guys on this board have jumped up and down on that thing with a cheater pipe without managing to break it.

For other breaker bars, just get whatever US-made stuff you see at the pawn shop. So many guys get them and never use them, it seems like every used breaker out there is basically brand new, even the ones made in the 70s...and they're so low-demand that the prices are super low.

I can't even imagine buying a new US one now. I got a literal handful of them for $10 on my last trip.

 

[Modern Jess]

On oscillating tool blades: Bosch uses the OIS system, and Dremel does not. That said, Dremel sells an adapter that allows Dremel blades and accessories to be used on other models (including OIS). Bosch also sells their own adapter that allows Bosch OIS blades to be used on non-OIS models.

So all you need is the right adapter. Or just a Bosch OIS blade.

More info here: http://toolguyd.com/oscillating-multi-tool-adapter-roundup/

 

[ttpete]

If I need more than my 18" SO bar, I use the big 3/4" drive bar with a 1/2" adapter if I don't have a 3/4 drive socket in the correct size.

 

[cheechi]

On oscillating tool blades: Bosch uses the OIS system, and Dremel does not

You're right about that, I meant the basic blade before the attachment part of it gets stamped. Some of the Bosch blades are Swiss made, some Chinese. Same with the Dremel ones.