Milwaukee 24” Breaker Bar

[Jtels85]

Has anyone used or own the Milwaukee 24” breaker bar, part #48-22-9013? If so, how do you like it? Is it a quality tool?

I’m looking for a breaker bar to throw in the truck, and this one caught my attention while surfing eBay.

(Please don’t recommend other brands. I’m well aware of what other brands make long breaker bars. I would like to know more about the Milwaukee in particular).

Thanks,

 

[dacan23]

I just got it two weeks ago when it was on deal. Took one from the garage to put in the house for tightening barrel nuts so I needed to replace the garage one. It seems really nice and at the $36 deal it was the same or cheaper than all the options I was looking at so it was a no brainer.

 

[tarbellb]

It long shiny and holds a socket, what else do you want to know?

Besides price point and length the only real question is USA vs import

 

[Jtels85]

It long shiny and holds a socket, what else do you want to know?

Besides price point and length the only real question is USA vs import

Has anyone bent one, broken one, had it break for no reason, complaints in general, did it grow arms and legs and run off to do drugs and have *** in the middle of the night?

For the price point of around $55, is it worth buying vs. a similar breaker bar from a cheaper or more expensive brand?

 

[tarbellb]

Spoiler- Milwaukee isnt doing anything special in the basic breaker bar department


Find your price point and pull the trigger, any of them can be on the drugs...

 

[Steve_P]

I don't have one, but it has the "correct" forked end on the handle that a lot of the cheaper brands don't use. This design is better, and obviously more expensive to make. Before I bought it, I would compare it to what HF sells.

 

[texasprd]

If the Milwaukee price is $55, I would go with Tekton's 24" bar - $39 on the Tekton web site and a claimed proof torque of 560 ft-lbs.

 

[justtools]

I know this wasnt the question. But I needed a longer breaker bar for home. I have snap on at work. I bought a masterforce from menards for 40 bucks. It is 30 inches long and has a nice handle. Just an option.

 

[JeepYJ]

Milwaukee hand tools aren’t anything special other than the name everyone is familiar with. They’re just import tools at a higher price point.

 

[iagsxr]

I know this wasnt the question. But I needed a longer breaker bar for home. I have snap on at work. I bought a masterforce from menards for 40 bucks. It is 30 inches long and has a nice handle. Just an option.

So I went to the Menards website to look at that breaker bar. ^^^^

I'm thinking the 40" long 3/4" drive bar with a 1/2" adapter would be the bomb for truck lug nuts on the side of the road.

 

[metaldad]

So I went to the Menards website to look at that breaker bar. ^^^^

I'm thinking the 40" long 3/4" drive bar with a 1/2" adapter would be the bomb for truck lug nuts on the side of the road.

and add the 11% when it comes around again

 

[Renegade1LI]

I've been shying away from milwaukee hand tools, they just seem a little overpriced, but it's listed on Zoro for 43$ right in line with all the others. The milwaukee tools in HD did look like they had a nice finish on them & come with a lifetime warranty. I would would give it a shot, could always return it.

 

[Rinspeed]

Has anyone bent one, broken one, had it break for no reason, complaints in general, did it grow arms and legs and run off to do drugs and have *** in the middle of the night?

For the price point of around $55, is it worth buying vs. a similar breaker bar from a cheaper or more expensive brand?

I have two breaker bars, one is an SK and the other is from HF. Both have seen a tremendous amount of torque and both have held up fine. Other than their cordless drills I'm not a big fan of Milwaukee and doubt I would pay $55 for that breaker bar.

 

[sparky 1971]

So I went to the Menards website to look at that breaker bar. ^^^^

I'm thinking the 40" long 3/4" drive bar with a 1/2" adapter would be the bomb for truck lug nuts on the side of the road.

I have breaker bar. It's a big, heavy, awkward S.O.B. If you need that much torque, you're going to break the reducer. I have experience in such matters. Get a real 3/4 drive socket. Menards has them in 6pt impact all the way down to 3/4" and 19mm.

 

[Zewnten]

Op, you are asking if the price difference between the Milwaukee for $50 vs the HF pro for $20 is worth it? I'm guessing it matters more which logo you like vs actual use.

 

[Jtels85]

Op, you are asking if the price difference between the Milwaukee for $50 vs the HF pro for $20 is worth it? I'm guessing it matters more which logo you like vs actual use.

Correct, same reason I prefer paying more for a small batch bourbon vs. basic, cheap Jim or Jack. It just hits different.

 

[Zewnten]

Correct, same reason I prefer paying more for a small batch bourbon vs. basic, cheap Jim or Jack. It just hits different.

I would say in your quote there is actually a easily discernable difference. In my post I'm saying they probably come from the same factory and just put a different handle on it. Unless the Milwaukee one is made in china the the HF pro is probably better quality.

 

[BigLeagueSmoes]

I do not own that specific breaker bar but like many others have stated, if it's in your price range, go for it. I can't imagine you'll be disappointed. Milwaukee seems to make quite robust hand tools, especially in the ratchet and wrench department, so I would think the breaker bars follow suit.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Milwaukee lists the bar as being made in Taiwan, FWIW.

 

[Iridium rand]

I don't have one, but it has the "correct" forked end on the handle that a lot of the cheaper brands don't use. This design is better, and obviously more expensive to make. Before I bought it, I would compare it to what HF sells.

By that do you mean the “incorrect” ones are those where the head forks over the handle instead? Didn’t think there was a difference, can’t really see either having a significant difference in manufacturing cost if anything I’d assume the other style costs a tiny bit more

 

[Steve_P]

Forked at the handle end is the superior design and more expensive to manufacture- look at SO, Wright, SK, etc. They all use that design and it's not a coincidence. That end of the handle is where the greatest stress is when in use. The forked handle has a much greater cross sectional area when compared to the handle that is necked down for cost reductions. Which will break first? With same materials and heat treatment, the necked down handle.

 

[Snapped-off]

Forked at the handle end is the superior design and more expensive to manufacture- look at SO, Wright, SK, etc. They all use that design and it's not a coincidence. That end of the handle is where the greatest stress is when in use. The forked handle has a much greater cross sectional area when compared to the handle that is necked down for cost reductions. Which will break first? With same materials and heat treatment, the necked down handle.

Snap on forks the head on their long ½" and ¾" breaker bars. I always thought that was the cheaper design but who knows.

 

[Steve_P]

Snap on forks the head on their long ½" and ¾" breaker bars. I always thought that was the cheaper design but who knows.

No, it's the superior design and it is more expensive to do this as it requires more material at that end. You can't just forge a 1" diameter bar with that end from a 1" bar. You can do this with the necked down design.

 

[Snapped-off]

No, it's the superior design and it is more expensive to do this as it requires more material at that end. You can't just forge a 1" diameter bar with that end from a 1" bar. You can do this with the necked down design.

I'm reading your posts as both designs are superior. Snap on in particular has both styles. Their long 36" bar has a "necked down" handle. Their 24" and shorter bars have the fork at the end of the handle.

 

[Firebrick43]

Why are we even talking about breaker bars anymore. A tekton 24" ratchet is a hell of a lot more handy, and the multiple tooth engagement on modern ratchets can take the torque.

 

[RAS61]

If Milwaukee is made in Taiwan you could probably get the same thing from Tekton, Sunex, etc cheaper; your call

 

[Iridium rand]

Why are we even talking about breaker bars anymore. A tekton 24" ratchet is a hell of a lot more handy, and the multiple tooth engagement on modern ratchets can take the torque.

True for the most part, but much better off using one to back up a nut/bolt when impacting the other side off. Heard of too many people blowing out the ratchets guts when using one, and one of mines flaking some chrome now from the few times I’ve done so with it

 

[Cooter Brown]

If you want US made, Zoro has the Proto 24 inch 1/2" drive breaker bar for $55.

Proto Breaker Bar, 1/2 in Drive Size, 24 in Overall Length, Knurled Grip, SAE, Alloy Steel, Chrome Finish J5469 | Zoro

Order Proto Breaker Bar, 1/2 in Drive Size, 24 in Overall Length, Knurled Grip, SAE, Alloy Steel, Chrome Finish, J5469 at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

I'll pay extra for US made.

 

[Jtels85]

If you want US made, Zoro has the Proto 24 inch 1/2" drive breaker bar for $55.

Proto Breaker Bar, 1/2 in Drive Size, 24 in Overall Length, Knurled Grip, SAE, Alloy Steel, Chrome Finish J5469 | Zoro

Order Proto Breaker Bar, 1/2 in Drive Size, 24 in Overall Length, Knurled Grip, SAE, Alloy Steel, Chrome Finish, J5469 at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

I'll pay extra for US made.

My father has a Proto 24” breaker bar he bought at an army surplus store. He bent it doing something while replacing the hubs on his ‘02 Durango. The Pittsburgh Pro he walked up and fetched from the travel trailer took them right off. Pass on the Proto.

 

[evintho]

I've got a Craftsman 1/2" breaker bar from the '70s. I put a 2' pipe on the end and presto.............24" breaker bar!

 

[BigLeagueSmoes]

My father has a Proto 24” breaker bar he bought at an army surplus store. He bent it doing something while replacing the hubs on his ‘02 Durango. The Pittsburgh Pro he walked up and fetched from the travel trailer took them right off. Pass on the Proto.

 

[Cooter Brown]

double

 

[Cooter Brown]

My father has a Proto 24” breaker bar he bought at an army surplus store. He bent it doing something while replacing the hubs on his ‘02 Durango. The Pittsburgh Pro he walked up and fetched from the travel trailer took them right off. Pass on the Proto.

Considering my experience with both Proto and Pittsburg tools, this is pretty surprising.

 

[Jtels85]

Considering my experience with both Proto and Pittsburg tools, this is pretty surprising.

No doubt it’s surprising. I expected more out of a USA made breaker bar, especially a Proto. But, it failed and failed miserably. I do have Proto Duratek and similar MAC screwdrivers and I wouldn’t trade them for anything. I was recently looking at their ratcheting wrenches.

Personally, while the Pittsburgh Pro did the job the Proto couldn’t, I dislike Harbor Freight, their tools, the goofy names they give their tools. I’m sure they’ve come along way, but I still associate them with cheap tools and cutting corners. Hence the reason I’m willing to pay a little more for the Milwaukee.

 

[Cooter Brown]

No doubt it’s surprising. I expected more out of a USA made breaker bar, especially a Proto. But, it failed and failed miserably. I do have Proto Duratek and similar MAC screwdrivers and I wouldn’t trade them for anything. I was recently looking at their ratcheting wrenches.

Personally, while the Pittsburgh Pro did the job the Proto couldn’t, I dislike Harbor Freight, their tools, the goofy names they give their tools. I’m sure they’ve come along way, but I still associate them with cheap tools and cutting corners. Hence the reason I’m willing to pay a little more for the Milwaukee.

Almost makes me wonder if the thing got annealed in a fire or something. I've got a couple of Protos that have been reefed on pretty hard with pipes as extensions--and took all I could dish out.

Let us know if you get the Mil.

 

[visionguru]

Has anyone used or own the Milwaukee 24” breaker bar, part #48-22-9013? If so, how do you like it? Is it a quality tool?

Never saw one in person. I think Milwaukee hand tools are very good quality, better than most non-truck brands.

$50 for a breaker bar? ICON is another one to consider.

 

[Jtels85]

Almost makes me wonder if the thing got annealed in a fire or something. I've got a couple of Protos that have been reefed on pretty hard with pipes as extensions--and took all I could dish out.

Let us know if you get the Mil.

I’m still mauling it over. There’s also an all black industrial finished breaker bar at O’Reillys someone made a YouTube review about. I’m going to check it out sometime today while we’re out running errands. I’ll keep you guys posted with my decision.

 

[RVAGuy]

For those like me who were not up to speed on the forked head design, here's a diagram why one is better than the other.

1/2 Inch Drive x 18 Inch Breaker Bar | TEKTON

1/2 inch drive x 18 inch breaker bar with sleek, comfortable handle and 230-degree pivoting head. SBH00218.

www.tekton.com

 

[qqzj]

For those like me who were not up to speed on the forked head design, here's a diagram why one is better than the other.

1/2 Inch Drive x 18 Inch Breaker Bar | TEKTON

1/2 inch drive x 18 inch breaker bar with sleek, comfortable handle and 230-degree pivoting head. SBH00218.

www.tekton.com

Cool link. I guess at Harbor Freight the internal head design is more expensive because of the comfort handle? It does get into smaller places too

 

[Rinspeed]

Why are we even talking about breaker bars anymore. A tekton 24" ratchet is a hell of a lot more handy, and the multiple tooth engagement on modern ratchets can take the torque.

I have a Snap-On ratchet adaptor so I wouldn't even consider a 24" made in Taiwan ratchet.