Olsa breaker bars?

[Lazerline19]

I searched google and this forum I apologize I know breaker bars are talked about so much here. But Olsa never comes up and they have a nice sale on the one I need. I know they are not high end but the reviews are very good and I'm just curious what you all think is it not worth the risk? I have ZERO experience with the brand all's I know is they claim it's made in Taiwan. Is this the case of its a Damn breaker bar relax and get it its just steel or no is it cheap junk and you get what you pay for? I am truly sorry for starting another breaker bar thread but I wanted one about OLSA specifically maybe some people have some experience with them as a brand and or if I'm lucky with their breaker bars? link below to what I'm considering,

https://olsatools.com/products/breaker-bar-25-in

 

[humpty]

I do not have the Olsa one so I cannot comment on its quality. I do have the Tekton breaker bars, their version is a tad more expensive at $39 but I do think it's design does have some advantages in strength.

Breaker bars are typically abused, well maybe not always abuse but certainly stressed, I try and make sure I get the strongest I can because when they let loose you tend to go flying.

1/2 Inch Drive x 24 Inch Breaker Bar | TEKTON | SBH00224

1/2 inch drive x 24 inch breaker bar. Easily loosen rusted, overtightened nuts and bolts. Long handle offers sure two-handed grip and extra leverage.

www.tekton.com

 

[Lazerline19]

I almost bought that one I love their grip but so many reviews posted of the head snapping clean off

 

[619DioFan]

If you have a harbor freight near you the one they sell usually for 10.00 is pretty good plus lifetime warranty. I keep one in each vehicle for tire changes. Zero issues taking all 8 lugs off on my ram.

 

[humpty]

I have not heard of that happening, that's a bummer. As I said breaker bars are one of those tools that seem like they are abused a lot. Cheater pipes are a way of life for them it would seem.

My opinion is you can break just about anything if you try hard enough. I find having the right tool for the job helps that.
I have breaker bars from 1/4" to 3/4" if I need a cheater pipe I try and move up to the next size.

Tekton has a decent warranty so if it does break under use they will replace it.

 

[humpty]

And the answer is, no I have no idea why I bought a 1/4" breaker bar, I don't know that I have really ever used it.
I think it was part of the GJ sickness and it looked good in the drawer and completed the set.

 

[Steve_P]

Definitely just buy something at HF. IMO the "forked" handle like the Olsa in the OP's link is the preferred design since it has a greater cross-sectional area near the head when compared to the Tekton "design". The Tekton "design" is obviously cheaper to mfg but this also has a much smaller area at the maximum stress location - excluding the socket attachment portion.

 

[KnurledNut]

@Lazerline19
Any reason you're set on Olsa?

 

[BTL-A4]

If you have a harbor freight near you the one they sell usually for 10.00 is pretty good plus lifetime warranty. I keep one in each vehicle for tire changes. Zero issues taking all 8 lugs off on my ram.

A Harbor Freight breaker bar is the only tool I've ever broken, and I was NOT abusing it. It was an older one, but still... They did give me a free replacement, though.

I have some Olsa swivel-head socket wrenches. They are pretty nice and look and feel made well. I even took them apart and lubed them, and the insides looked pretty good. I'm a DIY/homeowner, so they don't see heavy use, but they are nice.

I bought a 24" Proto breaker bar, but I would consider Olsa as well if I was doing this again.

 

[dnschmidt]

I do wonder if there is any structural difference between the two styles of breaker bar heads, the one where the socket attachement is between the forks or the bar and the one where the socket attachment has the forks and goes over the bar. To me modern impacts have reduced the number of times I ever use a breaker bar as high torque impacts will almost always get the job done thereby making breaker bar usage unnecessary. The only exception I can think of is Subaru head bolts which are a mile long and act more like torque sticks than torque sticks. Impacts are useless on these. Even the mighty THOR impact can't do it without using a breaker bar to bust them loose.

 

[Lazerline19]

I really appreciate the replies and sorry for the late reply. So I only ask of Olsa since I couldn't find much out about them and the sale is nice $29 plus instant $2 reward off brings it to $27 for a 1/2 25 inch bar. SO I feel like what I said about Tekton bar might have come off harsh I hope it didn't I love their tools I have their screwdrivers and soft grip ratchets I just meant that style head even though its advertised as better when I was looking at the Tekton one, there are so many images of the head just snapping clean off. I'm sure a lot of them are people abusing them some people say they barely put pressure on it idk. I know the Olsa is made in Taiwan it looks very similar to the pits pro and Icon style not sure if they are all made in same place or not. It seems Olsa is considered a budget brand I just didn't know when it comes to breaker bars if its a basic enough tool that anything is good. The only one I have is a 3 generation SK 18 inch. I had it handed down staring back from my grandfather. I'ts very nice but just to short want a longer one for my collection. From what I read SK is very good probably why it lasted 3 generations and still going strong.

 

[Rinspeed]

I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the HF ones are just as strong as either the Olsa or Tekton. The first time I did the rear brakes on my F-150 the lug nuts were frozen on there and my IR 231 wouldn't even budge them. I used a five foot piece of pipe on my 30 y/o SK bar. I was quite impressed neither the breaker bar or HF impact socket broke with that much force on them.

 

[dnschmidt]

I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the HF ones are just as strong as either the Olsa or Tekton. The first time I did the rear brakes on my F-150 the lug nuts were frozen on there and my IR 231 wouldn't even budge them. I used a five foot piece of pipe on my 30 y/o SK bar. I was quite impressed neither the breaker bar or HF impact socket broke with that much force on them.

I love my old school 231 but this is clearly a case of "More Power." Aircat 1250K or ASTRO Thor. If it still says NO then it's plasma cutter time. I see you live in Eric O country. Out here in Phoenix we can use a Milwaukee Stubby impact with little issue.

 

[Lazerline19]

I was sitting here reading the post thinking to myself dude it’s $27 quit crying order the damn thing that your curious about post images & do some tests so we can all see what it’s like. so I ordered it and I’ll update the thread as soon as I get it with some pics and tests

 

[Rinspeed]

I love my old school 231 but this is clearly a case of "More Power." Aircat 1250K or ASTRO Thor. If it still says NO then it's plasma cutter time. I see you live in Eric O country. Out here in Phoenix we can use a Milwaukee Stubby impact with little issue.

After that I bought an Aircat 1150 and I'm very happy with it. If there's a better sub $200 impact I would be very surprised.

 

[PelicanPines]

I like olsa tools but breaker bars BREAK... and a lifetime warranty from Harbor Freight can and will be your best bet here.

 

[Fedwrench]

After that I bought an Aircat 1150 and I'm very happy with it. If there's a better sub $200 impact I would be very surprised.

Thor

As for the breaker bar, i wouldn't over think it. your investment is small. you really don't have much to lose, just get it if you want it.

Harbor Freight has their Icon version on sale this weekend for $34.99.

Long, inexpensive breaker bars flex too much for my liking. I think a thicker, more stout 18 inch bar is the way to go but, that's just me.

let us know how it works out for you.

 

[cgrutt]

I don't use breaker bars that often but have a problem with buying an inexpensive and untested import with something like this. Breaker bars by design are subject to enormous stress. The problem that I have is when it breaks projectiles can be launched at ridiculous velocities putting yourself and possibly others at serious risk of personal injury or worse. I bought Snap On. The hardest thing I ever used it on was removing a bearing carrier on a Bravo III X lower unit. Two 250+ lb guys holding it down, a 275 lb guy pulling on it with 6' cheater bar. Got it done and bar still looks as good as new.

 

[bscman]

Can't comment on the Olsa, but I have the tekton and the harbor freight versions mentioned above. I use the to strip valves off propane tanks--and if you've ever removed one from an old rusty tank, you know it takes some strength.

The harbor freight bar flexes MUCH more than the tekton. Also the head to handle fit is loose on the harbor freight unit--meaning more stress is on the pin itself, whereas the tektons snug fit take some stress off the pin. I've put 6ft cheater pipes on either, and they. It's survived but the harbor freight unit has me cringing ever time.

Fwiw, I know use the 3/4" tekton 40" breaker bar and a 3/4 to 1/2 adapter. This thing is STOUT

 

[WWheeler]

After that I bought an Aircat 1150 and I'm very happy with it. If there's a better sub $200 impact I would be very surprised.

Thor

Yeah Torque Test Channel testing has the Aircat 1150 (currently $200 on Amazon) maxed out at 624 ft/lbs and Astro's Thor (currently $150 on Amazon) at 825 ft/lbs making the Thor still the current pneumatic record holder of all the 1/2" impacts tested.

The only more powerful 1/2" impacts than the Thor tested so far are cordless with Snap-on CT9050 (>$950 w/ battery&charger) at 830 ft/lbs, the Matco MCL2012BIWK (>$800 w/ batt&chrgr) at 894 ft/lbs and the current top dog is the Dewalt DCF900 (>$300 w/ batt/chrgr) at 936 ft/lbs.

 

[Rabid Badger]

Pittsburgh Pro comfort grip does the job, $22.

 

[ecotec]

If you have a harbor freight near you the one they sell usually for 10.00 is pretty good plus lifetime warranty. I keep one in each vehicle for tire changes. Zero issues taking all 8 lugs off on my ram.

I have 2 different versions of this. They have been great. I like the one with the fake Snap-on handle the best.

 

[Rinspeed]

Yeah Torque Test Channel testing has the Aircat 1150 (currently $200 on Amazon) maxed out at 624 ft/lbs and Astro's Thor (currently $150 on Amazon) at 825 ft/lbs making the Thor still the current pneumatic record holder of all the 1/2" impacts tested.

The only more powerful 1/2" impacts than the Thor tested so far are cordless with Snap-on CT9050 (>$950 w/ battery&charger) at 830 ft/lbs, the Matco MCL2012BIWK (>$800 w/ batt&chrgr) at 894 ft/lbs and the current top dog is the Dewalt DCF900 (>$300 w/ batt/chrgr) at 936 ft/lbs.

Good info, I am a little surprised the Aircat is rated higher on Amazon though. For $150 I might have to pick up a Thor for a backup, then I could compare them head to head.

 

[Josh the IH guy]

I have the Pittsburgh Pro breaker bar. Just last week, I had a 6 foot cheater pipe on it, and I was jumping on it. I'm not sure if the olsa/tekton/whatever is better, but for the price, I am very impressed. I abuse the hell out of that thing on my tractor.

 

[WWheeler]

Good info, I am a little surprised the Aircat is rated higher on Amazon though. For $150 I might have to pick up a Thor for a backup, then I could compare them head to head.

Yes, the vast difference between most manufacturer's claims of max torque especially the speciously meaningless claims of 'breakaway' torque and the like compared to what their impacts actually produced in real-world testing was the whole reason for the creation of the Torque Test Channel. Many companies were advertising whatever torque claims they wanted and no one was holding them to account.

At the time of the testing of that Aircat 1150 the only impact that actually tested to 100% of what their advertised claims said was the Bosch GDS18V-740N. The Aircat 1150 only tested to 69% of what they were claiming.



And in the years since TTC's testing began many manufacturers have seemingly taken notice and started posting more realistic max torque claims. As of Aug 2022 many manufacturer's newer products are now testing to 100% or at least nearer to their stated claims.

Pittsburgh Pro comfort grip does the job, $22.

Worth noting that those screens come from this Real Tool Reviews video and he did not test them anywhere near their failure points. He was only testing them to see how much deflection (how much the bars bent) when he put his weight on them, which isn't really all that meaningful. I wish he would have actually cranked them until they broke like aVe did with ratchets.

 

[BTL-A4]

OP, don't mess around! Buy a quality one. When I broke the Harbor Freight breaker bar, pieces went flying all over the place. Good thing I had safety glasses on and that there was no one else in the garage. A lifetime warranty doesn't mean **** when you're missing an eye. Like others have noted, a breaker bar is under a huge load, it needs to be strong.

 

[ecotec]

OP, don't mess around! Buy a quality one. When I broke the Harbor Freight breaker bar, pieces went flying all over the place. Good thing I had safety glasses on and that there was no one else in the garage. A lifetime warranty doesn't mean **** when you're missing an eye. Like others have noted, a breaker bar is under a huge load, it needs to be strong.

I would bet that a 1/2” drive Dual80 ratchet has a higher torque rating than ANY vintage SK, Craftsman or other vintage breaker bar… and probably a lot of modern breaker bars…

I think a lot of the pearl clutching about using a breaker bar instead of a ratchet is ridiculous…

I do not have to stand on my breaker bars anymore… or use cheater pipes. I have breaker bars up to 40”. All of this **** is plentiful and reasonable.

If any of you are really seeing enough deflection with any 1/2” breaker bar or ratchet that you are concerned… seriously, why not just buy that size socket in 3/4” drive? I have all the adapters… but I would just buy the correct socket.

These days, I mostly use drive size adapters for low torque stuff like pipe plugs.

 

[Lazerline19]

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[Rinspeed]

I would bet that a 1/2” drive Dual80 ratchet has a higher torque rating than ANY vintage SK, Craftsman or other vintage breaker bar… and probably a lot of modern breaker bars…

I think a lot of the pearl clutching about using a breaker bar instead of a ratchet is ridiculous…

I don't know about all that but if there's a chance of breaking a tool I would much rather break a $40 breaker bar than a $200 ratchet, no matter how good the customer service is.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Why would you want to pull on a ratchet that hard anyway? They're not designed for high torque loads as would be the case with a breaker bar.
That's inviting disaster.

FTR: The "Martin" (Ft. Worth, Texas) 17-inch breaker I carry in my truck (for lug nuts) was only about $24 (used) on ebay.

Agonizing over what should be no more than a $30 purchase is just silly - the second-hand market is flooded with high-quality, U.S. made 1/2" drive breakers that can be had on the cheap. Used tools offer the additional benefit of having already been "tested".

 

[roofdweller49]

Those that have broken the HF bars, was it the current Pittsburgh version they sell?

Seems the comfort grip version is the traditional type, and the hard handle is the tekton style, with the drive on the "male" end vs the drive on the ball

 

[NFH2740]

A number of threads about Olsa have been started by members that joined within the last year.

 

[Lazerline19]

A number of threads about Olsa have been started by members that joined within the last year.

Meaning what?

 

[Olsa Tools]

I searched google and this forum I apologize I know breaker bars are talked about so much here. But Olsa never comes up and they have a nice sale on the one I need. I know they are not high end but the reviews are very good and I'm just curious what you all think is it not worth the risk? I have ZERO experience with the brand all's I know is they claim it's made in Taiwan. Is this the case of its a Damn breaker bar relax and get it its just steel or no is it cheap junk and you get what you pay for? I am truly sorry for starting another breaker bar thread but I wanted one about OLSA specifically maybe some people have some experience with them as a brand and or if I'm lucky with their breaker bars? link below to what I'm considering,

https://olsatools.com/products/breaker-bar-25-in

Thanks for your interest in our breaker bar here!

Just a reminder: we have a 90-day risk-free trial period on all of our tools. So if for any reason whatsoever (you don't like the handle, not strong enough, your SO told you to return it, ..., etc.) you're not happy with the breaker bar, just get in touch with us at [email protected] and we'll process your return + refund as quickly as possible!

We've had this particular line of breaker bars tested to exceed ASME (B107.110) standards by 50% (or 150% of ASME standards).

Your Olsa products are also backed by a 30 business minute customer support guarantee: if you don't hear from us or get to talk with a real human within 30 minutes of first contacting us during business hours, then your entire order gets refunded; no questions asked.

On top of that, the breaker bar also falls under our limited lifetime warranty. So if anything goes wrong with it (within reason — we will not help you if you put the breaker bar under a hydraulic press, then come to us and say that it broke ), then just get in touch with us and we can process a replacement for you!

 

[Lazerline19]

Thanks for your interest in our breaker bar here!

Just a reminder: we have a 90-day risk-free trial period on all of our tools. So if for any reason whatsoever (you don't like the handle, not strong enough, your SO told you to return it, ..., etc.) you're not happy with the breaker bar, just get in touch with us at [email protected] and we'll process your return + refund as quickly as possible!

We've had this particular line of breaker bars tested to exceed ASME (B107.110) standards by 50% (or 150% of ASME standards).

Your Olsa products are also backed by a 30 business minute customer support guarantee: if you don't hear from us or get to talk with a real human within 30 minutes of first contacting us during business hours, then your entire order gets refunded; no questions asked.

On top of that, the breaker bar also falls under our limited lifetime warranty. So if anything goes wrong with it (within reason — we will not help you if you put the breaker bar under a hydraulic press, then come to us and say that it broke ), then just get in touch with us and we can process a replacement for you!

If you’re going to use my post and this forum to basically advertise why not refund my order since I posted I bought it and I am going to post a review and pictures of it here. Feel free to reach out and I’ll give you my order info.

 

[texasprd]

...We've had this particular line of breaker bars tested to exceed ASME (B107.110) standards by 50% (or 150% of ASME standards)...

The value for the ASMA standard is not easily available to most of us - not without buying the spec book. Please give us an actual value - for a 1/2" drive breaker bar, how many ft-lbs (or lb-ft if you go that way) are you talking about?

 

[Lazerline19]

Monday, January 30
6:44 AM

Package has left the carrier facility
Newark, CA, US

 

[bdbecker]

That Olsa breaker bar looks identical to the Klutch branded one I got from Northern Tool several years ago. Same design and handle shape, right down to the two grooves on the grip area. I wouldn't be surprised if they were made at the same factory. If that is the case, I think you'll be happy with the Olsa as I've had no issues with my Klutch.

It appears that the 25" has been discontinued by NT, but the 18" is still available. Link for reference...

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200668223_200668223

 

[toddmorr]

If you’re going to use my post and this forum to basically advertise why not refund my order since I posted I bought it and I am going to post a review and pictures of it here. Feel free to reach out and I’ll give you my order info.

Wow, most of us kinda like the company reps to hang out here

 

[Lazerline19]

Wow, most of us kinda like the company reps to hang out here

I have no issue with any rep hanging out but if I wanted the company opinion I'd email them and of course every company has to say their product is awesome. Your opinion and other members opinions who use these tools daily is more valuable to me. I didn't mean any disrespect to a rep so apologies.