What is a 'crossbar' and how is it used / what for? (Pics)

[Flash21]

Hey Guys - I need some help. Over the last couple of days I've been going through my father's old Craftsman tools. I think I have figured out the tool kit he bought somewhere in 1965 timeframe. It is shown on left hand side page 3 of the 1964 catalog.

Included in the kit are supposed to be 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive crossbars. I only have two of the three...

The first thing I noticed is that there are no factory markings on them anywhere.

There is a ball at one end, none at the other.

questions:

1) What are these used for?

2) Can anyone tell me what sizes I have or how to figure out? (Is this 1/4" and 3/8" or 1/4" or 1/2") I want to find the size I'm missing

Thanks!!

Kevin

Here is the set:

 

[elect]

cross bars go with a drive knuckle to make a t-handle

 

[elect]

just above the speeders in your picture

 

[Flash21]

cross bars go with a drive knuckle to make a t-handle

These bars aren't the same size as the bars that are on the t-handles. Notice in the picture / parts list that it lists both (using 3/8 in. square drive as an example)

"8 in. slide bar handle"
"crossbar"

I have all of slide bar handles with knuckles installed. The slide bar handles have a groove in the middle and balls at both ends. Look at the t-handle in the picture, the slide bar is installed and directly above that looks to be the 'crossbar'

 

[RustyBuckets]

Craftsman used to make crossbars to go through the hole in the breaker bars, to make them like a T-handle.

 

[rsanter]

I have a few older sockets from my dad that have the 1/2 drive square in them as well as a hole going through the side that will take a crossbar

bob

 

[superautobacs]

Craftsman used to make crossbars to go through the hole in the breaker bars, to make them like a T-handle.

That's right.


Like you always do, break lose the fastener using the break over. Then, insert the tommy bar/cross bar to create a T-handle to loosen the fasterner with speed.

Some extensions came with a hold near the female end as well. I combine my plomb extension with a tommy bar/cross bar and keep it as a dedicated T-bar.

 

[Flash21]

Thanks RustyBuckets and superautobacs, the crossbars fit in the hole in my flex handles (albeit a little sloppy, on the 1/4" -- it just falls out without any friction between the crossbar and the flex handle) Looks like I'm missing the 3/8.

Thanks for the help...it will probably be tough to track one down since there isn't any markings on the crossbars.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Thanks RustyBuckets and superautobacs, the crossbars fit in the hole in my flex handles (albeit a little sloppy, on the 1/4" -- it just falls out without any friction between the crossbar and the flex handle) Looks like I'm missing the 3/8.

Thanks for the help...it will probably be tough to track one down since there isn't any markings on the crossbars.

It will be real tough tracking one down, I have only seen a couple used in many years, and many hours of flea market tool hunting.

 

[Brad54]

I've got a small 3/8 Husky breaker bar with the crossbar handle as shown, and an old much bigger 1/2-inch breaker bar with the hole and cross bar.

I've used the cross bar exactly not once.

-Brad

 

[bmills2]

I got my first craftsman professional tool set in 1978. I was 20 years old and it had bars in it. I ask the guy ( he was 35 and worked for Ford) how to use them He did not know what they was for. I was looking in a old tool book today and found they are crossbars to make a flex power handle turn into a extention. The bar becomes a t handle by putting in the hole in the end of the flex t power handle. I will get to use this tool I have had for 35 years today for the first time.

 

[Derek1387]

Wow...talk about raising one from the dead....