These have been out for a while now. Can they be considered a "must have" tool now for general mechanical (auto) use? Will a set of of these replace a set of traditional prybars with poly handles? Can they replace the lady's foot prybars? If you didn't have any pry bars, would you buy these as your first ones despite the higher cost compared to traditional prybars?
Opinions on indexing pry bars?
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RedneckWelder
Well-known member
Traditional prybars first and used most often
The indexing ones are quite durable and versatile in their own ways but they do have a bulky head. A regular prybar is nice and thin to get into places
The indexing ones are quite durable and versatile in their own ways but they do have a bulky head. A regular prybar is nice and thin to get into places
bwringer
Well-known member
I would not call indexing pry bars a "must-have", nor would I buy them as the "first line". The large heads tend to get in the way far more than the different angles actually help, so they're of very limited usefulness in general mechanickery.
Starting from scratch, I would start with a set of the very moderately priced, excellent quality Mayhew pry bars sold under a variety of names with all sorts of handle colors. These are the ones with striking caps on the end. Around here, Menard's has them in green, and they're sold in red under the Craftsman name, and I think there have even been sightings at Walmart.
FWIW, when I select tools for my mobile bag, I grab one or two of these pry bars but I don't grab an indexing pry bar.
Starting from scratch, I would start with a set of the very moderately priced, excellent quality Mayhew pry bars sold under a variety of names with all sorts of handle colors. These are the ones with striking caps on the end. Around here, Menard's has them in green, and they're sold in red under the Craftsman name, and I think there have even been sightings at Walmart.
FWIW, when I select tools for my mobile bag, I grab one or two of these pry bars but I don't grab an indexing pry bar.
Bockscar
Well-known member
I think you are talking about the Wilde pry bars.....But the Mayhew's are good option as well....Wilde and Mayhew
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
If I didn't have any pry bars, I wouldn't start with indexing pry bars. I'd pick up a set of Mayhew Dominators for starters.
Depending on what you work on, indexing pry bars can be quite effective. They do have some drawbacks though like the head size, pivot pin strength, and handle fork strength.
Another option would be pry bar head you can use with a ratchet/breaker bar.
www.jbtools.com
Depending on what you work on, indexing pry bars can be quite effective. They do have some drawbacks though like the head size, pivot pin strength, and handle fork strength.
Another option would be pry bar head you can use with a ratchet/breaker bar.
OTC 7687A Mini Pry Wrench
Buy OTC 7687A Mini Pry Wrench with an everyday low price and free shipping!
www.jbtools.com
speed bump
Well-known member
I have always wanted index-able pry bars to be a good tool but they just don't seem to last.We have tried a few different brands at work and they always seem to be one good job away from needing replaced. That being said when they work they are sweet for weird angle prying.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Come'on guys have you never heard of "The Devil's Finger". Check out Fed's link above. This is the answer. Small, light, easily carried can be used as a seal puller and as a prybar for removing oil pans.
I didn't know about this thing until today. I'll definitely buy it.
Farmall450
Well-known member
I like indexing ones for puling larger seals.
Farmall450
Well-known member
Walmart does in fact have domestically made prybars posing as Hyper Tough. I don't think they're Mayhew, however, just like the faithful Craftsman set that was so beloved they're from Wilde (wild-e).
plinker
Well-known member
I've got a couple, they can be useful for pulling seals in particular, though I find these are slightly better for that depending on seal size.
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Die-Setter-Bars/18"-Die-Setter-Prybar-(Blue-Point)/7035
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Die-Setter-Bars/30"-Die-Setter-Prybar-(Blue-Point)/7037
They are nice to have, but not a item to buy first per say. Defiantly not replacing a normal prybar.
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Die-Setter-Bars/18"-Die-Setter-Prybar-(Blue-Point)/7035
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Die-Setter-Bars/30"-Die-Setter-Prybar-(Blue-Point)/7037
They are nice to have, but not a item to buy first per say. Defiantly not replacing a normal prybar.
They're like most tools designed for multiple purposes, they'll do each well enough but won't excel at any one.
They're good to have around though. Only thing is they do tend to fail at the indexing assembly. I have 2 33" extendable gearwrench ones, one with the head welded in position and one new from the warranty on the first one, and they're convenient but hardly see any use.
Wouldn't mind extendable fixed heads though, the handles actually keep surprisingly well even with proper abuse.
They're good to have around though. Only thing is they do tend to fail at the indexing assembly. I have 2 33" extendable gearwrench ones, one with the head welded in position and one new from the warranty on the first one, and they're convenient but hardly see any use.
Wouldn't mind extendable fixed heads though, the handles actually keep surprisingly well even with proper abuse.
Just like a built in cheater pretty much lol
bwringer
Well-known member
kbeefy
Well-known member
I have the small gearwrench ones and a large extendable Mac one, all are handy in certain situations.
None of them are my go-to prybar, I only grab one when more conventional methods fail. Kind of a 'hail mary'.
None of them are my go-to prybar, I only grab one when more conventional methods fail. Kind of a 'hail mary'.
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
I just got this one for removing the hub caps on my F-450, and it's the perfect tool for the job. It's going in my road box and replacing a standard prybar.
I would say you will want a set of lady's foot and standard pry bars before buying indexing. You don't have to worry about breaking standard bars, and they cover most tasks. The lady's foot bars are invaluable as they also serve as alignment bars. In my case, neither style would remove my hub caps due to the angle of the dangle. After using this one, I would like to get an 8" indexible as I think that would be most useful for my home box.
I would say you will want a set of lady's foot and standard pry bars before buying indexing. You don't have to worry about breaking standard bars, and they cover most tasks. The lady's foot bars are invaluable as they also serve as alignment bars. In my case, neither style would remove my hub caps due to the angle of the dangle. After using this one, I would like to get an 8" indexible as I think that would be most useful for my home box.