Vintage Breaker bars that also were extensions

[Neverfly]

I know that the Plomb Wright Field wf-20 was a 3/8 breaker that had a female broach in the handle.

What other breakers sport this feature? I understand it was fairly common back in the day. Is there a Plomb 1/2 drive that had this, as well?

Any help appreciated.

 

[ATC]

I have a "New Britain" like that...I'll update with a pic when I get home


Edit:

I thought I had a better picture. It's on the right-hand side:

 

[bart1]

Pretty sure plomb did have one. I'd like to have one of these myself.

 

[toolslut6.0]

Sk made a half inch drive and 3/8 one. Nice to have. Plus it turns an 18 inch breaker bar into a 28 inch breaker bar when you put a 10 inch extension in the handle.

 

[drivesitfar]

i just picked up an 18 incher that is half inch without any names on it so i'll post a picture when i get a chance to. would the Plvmb ones have their name on them?

 

[rusty65]

Sk made a half inch drive and 3/8 one. Nice to have. Plus it turns an 18 inch breaker bar into a 28 inch breaker bar when you put a 10 inch extension in the handle.

Yeah you can add a extensions in the handle for leverage but that's not what it was made for and it will damage the breaker bar and or the extension if pushed on with a solid tug.


Sent directly from the Snap On Kool Aid factory.

 

[Wakefield]

Yeah you can add a extensions in the handle for leverage but that's not what it was made for and it will damage the breaker bar and or the extension if pushed on with a solid tug.


Sent directly from the Snap On Kool Aid factory.

I think a long time ago most of the "hinge handles" had both the cross hole and the square drive hole in the end
both are for turning the bar while it is straight up like a long extension?
And makes a convenient hanging hole for a hook on a pegboard or wall

 

[toolslut6.0]

Yeah you can add a extensions in the handle for leverage but that's not what it was made for and it will damage the breaker bar and or the extension if pushed on with a solid tug.


Sent directly from the Snap On Kool Aid factory.

Your worrying too much.

 

[premierplayer]

Williams
It had the 1/2 broach and cross hole

 

[BJ42LX]

I have a 1937 vintage 18" Snap On breaker bar / extension. Unfortunately someone in the past 75 years broke the socket end of the bar.

I still use it regularly to break free tough nuts.

 

[fourtythree]

I have an 18" Plomb that belonged to my great grandfather. It has the opening in the handle.

 

[zkling]

A Mac V18F is probably my favorite along side the HF24". The Mac has the female drive square in the handle. I can't recall ever using it.

 

[Neverfly]

Would the Plvmb ones have their name on them?

Yup. As far as I know (And there's a lot I do not know) Plomb was one of those manufacturers that did not go for unbranded tools. It may be because they were galled over the Plumb lawsuit...
Even when Plomb was contracted to make Craftsman tools, the tools were branded and named.

Williams
It had the 1/2 broach and cross hole

Thanks for the tip- I'll look into it.
Edit: J. H. Williams S40?

I can't recall ever using it.

That's the hitch... I have no idea if I would use it. The problem with the Flex head is that it's not a U-Joint. If it flexes while in use, that could cause frustration.
Which may be why they fell out of favor... but, even so, I have a feeling I would use it. Even if I need to replace a detent or tighten a head.

Maybe I'm being "gimmicky" but it strikes me as useful to be able to 90 degree it, break the tension, then straighten the bar out and pop your speeder on.

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

Sk made a half inch drive and 3/8 one. Nice to have. Plus it turns an 18 inch breaker bar into a 28 inch breaker bar when you put a 10 inch extension in the handle.

Pretty sure I have that SK in 1/4"

And a Plomb 1/2 as well as the rest of you.

Semi on topic, I have an SK 1/4" drive hard handled nut driver that could be used as an extension as well.

 

[zkling]

That's the hitch... I have no idea if I would use it. The problem with the Flex head is that it's not a U-Joint. If it flexes while in use, that could cause frustration.
Which may be why they fell out of favor... but, even so, I have a feeling I would use it. Even if I need to replace a detent or tighten a head.

Maybe I'm being "gimmicky" but it strikes me as useful to be able to 90 degree it, break the tension, then straighten the bar out and pop your speeder on.

I've tried that. Doesn't work to well. Much easier to just pop the socket off the breaker and then snap a speeder on. Or what I prefer to do is just spin the breaker bar with my finger tips @ 180°. Now they did make speeder bars with flex heads like on a breaker bar. Those look like a useful combination.

 

[monomach]

I have an Armstrong 1/2" like this. Part # S-40.

It even has another hole for a T-handle, complete with a detent ball in it.

 

[Super Sport]

I have an old SK 1/2" drive model. I didn't originally realize this was the purpose, and have used it several times with another breaker bar through the end of it. Sure enough, that led to it's failure when I loaned it to a friend to use it in that manner...

 

[Jarhead0408]

I've got a few, but no pics.

Maybe a Proto, maybe a Bonney. Not too sure as I don't use them.

 

[3baygarage]

I think you guys hit most of them. Cornwell did also way back when.

 

[lbgradwell]

would the Plvmb ones have their name on them?

Yup. As far as I know (And there's a lot I do not know) Plomb was one of those manufacturers that did not go for unbranded tools. It may be because they were galled over the Plumb lawsuit...
Even when Plomb was contracted to make Craftsman tools, the tools were branded and named.

I have at least two Plomb ratchets that are unmarked.

 

[Eric DC5]

I have one of the Mac V18F bars, haven't used it as an extension yet.

 

[larry_g]

I have a bit of a different one. It is a Duro-chrome 4481 that is MALE on both ends. 3/8" drive and the non-swivel end has a ball dent for a socket.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[SMKS]

I have a bit of a different one. It is a Duro-chrome 4481 that is MALE on both ends. 3/8" drive and the non-swivel end has a ball dent for a socket.

lg
no neat sig line

I wonder if it could have come from a set that included a ratchet similar to this?

Duro/Indestro churned out lots of these female-drive ratchets. I've come across quite a decent number of them in my area in the last several years.

I borrowed this photo from Alloy Artifacts.
https://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/duro-indestro.html

 

[larry_g]

I wonder if it could have come from a set that included a ratchet similar to this?

Duro/Indestro churned out lots of these female-drive ratchets. I've come across quite a decent number of them in my area in the last several years.

I borrowed this photo from Alloy Artifacts.
https://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/duro-indestro.html

That would make sense...
lg
no neat sig line

 

[HubbaBubba]

Herbrand !

 

[back2class]

I have two very nice ones. Made by Wright. Has the square female in the end of the handle. I think I have and SK like that as well. Nice stuff and I use them all the time. Not the extension part, but they are good breaker bars..not stubby beat up relics and a great design.

 

[oak_park]

Here's a 3/8th Snap On. Odd twisted or offset head on the breaker bar.

 

[Neverfly]

Well... I have found a Bonney, SK and Wright all which have it. There's a Snap On F10-H6 like Oak Parks above listed currently on eBay.
Thanks for all the help.

The odd twist- I have noticed that most the older tools, pre-1940's have that. It was pretty much the standard that later changed to the straight male end- I don't know what caused the change.

So all of these I've found are 3/8ths... any 1/2 inch? Or am I just not finding them, but to keep looking under the same suggestions of SK, Herbrand and Wright?

 

[oak_park]

I've got a Williams 1/2 version that has the female end. Here is a completed listed on ebay showing in the photos.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-vintage-b...134?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item259344a3fe

 

[Plombob]

I have at least two Plomb ratchets that are unmarked.

I just came across a cache of Plomb sockets that are unmarked. In that cache is a universal socket with the wrong size and number stamped on it.

 

[JieselDeep]

There are a bunch on eBay right now... Plomb and other brands

 

[Neverfly]

I thought I had a better picture. It's on the right-hand side:

Does anyone else want to go after this buckets contents with a wire brush?

Thanks to all for your answers. I have found, I believe, what I'm looking for.

 

[malibulvr]

I have the Plomb version, use it all the time.

 

[Neverfly]

I have the Plomb version, use it all the time.

Well, to update: I bought a Plomb 3/8 WF20 and another make for the 1/2 inch size.
I tested using them on the Jeep- just taking different nuts or bolts off in various locations that would need an extension- then putting them back on.
I was worried that the flex head that is NOT a universal would be an issue. Before buying, I contacted the sellers and asked if the heads were tight.
They were tight and I must say, the sellers were modest. The tools were better than I expected in condition.
In using them a bit in testing I've concluded that it works quite well and in many applications I can think of, looking over experiences in the past, I think I would prefer them over an extension.
An example: Those bolts that you break and they are hand loose for a moment, but then hit bad threads or heavy grime and get real tight on ya.
Break it, then straighten and spin it and when you get to the tight thread spot- pop the ratchet on and quickly work through it.
That's ONE example and this post is long enough, but I'm definitely glad I asked about this and tried it out, now.

 

[tshusker]

I have at least two Plomb ratchets that are unmarked.

Do your unmarked Plombs look like this? Mine sure looks like a Plomb, but no markings.

 

[ganymede]

Walden Worcester bars made in the 30's or 40's had em.

 

[Mgdoug3]

Does anyone else want to go after this buckets contents with a wire brush?

Thanks to all for your answers. I have found, I believe, what I'm looking for.

I use a wire wheel on my bench grinder and steel wool, WD-40 and a drill for sockets. It is fun for me to bring back old tools. Even more fun to use them again.