Heat Bend A Breaker Bar

xroad · May 3, 2008

If I get a torch to soften up the breaker bar and bend the head 15 degrees, would I be weakening the breaker bar?

I have a 1/4 in breaker bar with a set of 6 point sockets. Problem is that I don't have the ratchet feature. 6 point socket needs a minimum of 60 degrees swing movement of the bar handle.

If I bend the head of the breaker bar by 15 degrees, then I can just flip the swivel head of the bar from one side to the other and get a 30 degree "rotation" on the socket attached to the head. Then, the swing requirement is only 30 degrees.

YES, YES, YES, I can get a ratchet or get 12 point sockets instead. However, this is a motorcycle carry tool kit. I need to minimize the size of the tool kit. On long tours, tire patch kits, first aid kits, mini electric air pump, camp equipments, etc, etc, it all adds up to lots of volume. 6 point sockets minimized the potential of slipping and rounding the bolt heads. The breaker bar will handle much high torque than the ratchet. When I am in the middle of no where, like middle of Siberian Hwy, hundreds of miles from civilization, sometimes lacking of a simple tool means getting stranded for a very long time.

Fedwrench · May 3, 2008

If we're only talking about 1/4 drive, why not get a sliding t handle. you could use it as a breaker bar and then spin the fastener quickly once it's loose.

vjquan · May 3, 2008

Get a 1/4" thin profile ratchet. Those should be able to take a lot of abuse since it engages with several teeth. If you're afraid of breaking that, carry both, that's what breaker bars are for -- break it loose, then use a ratchet for the remaining back out. It'll also be much faster than if you only had the breaker bar to work with.

xroad · May 3, 2008

thanks guys .....

Have a slider bar. It is higher profile than the breaker bar. Actually, as a breaker bar, the slider is not that good. I bent mine!

I am currently carrying both a ratchet and the breaker bar. I just want to get rid of one of them. I am even cutting down my tooth brush to trim weight and cubic inches. I'm a bit obsessive, you think?

I have a Craftman 1/4 ratchet & breaker bar now.
How low is a low profile ratchet?
Any recommendation in brand?
Speed is not of concern.
Extreme reliability is.
Traveling long and far.
Need bulletproof tools and equipments.

xroad · May 4, 2008

What about welding two halfs of a ratchet and a breaker bar? THe weld should be strong, correct? Will it be weaker than the original handle?

What about the chrome plating? Does that portion need to be remove before welding?

rsanter · May 4, 2008

how about just buy the small 1/4 drive SO ratchet
its very strong and is not much bigger than the breaker bar

bob

vjquan · May 4, 2008

Yes, I think you're obsessed! Trimming a toothbrooth to save weight, that's a good one. :lol_hitti

For the 1/4" thin profile, I was referring to the Craftsman 44994. It's probably the lowest you'll find.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00944994000P?keyword=44994

Here's a comparison of the 1/2" version with pics:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17426&page=3

Kevin54 · May 4, 2008

If I get a torch to soften up the breaker bar and bend the head 15 degrees, would I be weakening the breaker bar?

It will definately weaken it. All tools like that goes thru a specific heat treating process to harden them and then an annealing process to temper them to certain specifications. By heating it with a torch you may either harden it too much or it will be drawn back to the point that it is soft. Will it last though? It may, depending on what it gets used on. Then again, it may not and you may find yourself on your backside looking up when the thing snaps and you go flying backwards.

eschoendorff · May 4, 2008

Kevin54 said:
It will definately weaken it. All tools like that goes thru a specific heat treating process to harden them and then an annealing process to temper them to certain specifications. By heating it with a torch you may either harden it too much or it will be drawn back to the point that it is soft. Will it last though? It may, depending on what it gets used on. Then again, it may not and you may find yourself on your backside looking up when the thing snaps and you go flying backwards.

Makes sense. Go with a 1/4 long handle ratchet...

djjsr · May 4, 2008

I had a 3/8" drive breaker bar that I heated and bent, don't remember why. It was a cheap one so I had nothing to lose. It lasted over 20 years, then the pin broke. Handle was still ok.

Don't forget to drill holes in the handle of the toothbrush. Makes it lighter and it looks cool. :bounce:

xroad · May 4, 2008

My 2 concerns are low profile and ability to handle high torque. Would a "long handle 1/4 ratchet" handle the high torque better than the regular 1/4 ratchet?

A longer handle ratchet, if meets my concerns, would be better than carrying both a ratchet and a breaker bar.

It sure seems modifying is more work and creates more issues.

vjquan · May 4, 2008

The high torque ability all depends on the ratchet kit. A long handle 1/4" will most likely have the same guts as the regular. C-man doesn't offer a long handle 1/4, but the thin profiles are the best they've got. I say buy one, try it out on your best bolt, and see if it'll do the job. My guess would be that if used properly with no cheater bar on handle, the worst that will happen is that you won't be able to break it loose because the handle was too short. I'd be surprised if you are able to strip the ratchet.

russlaferrera · May 4, 2008

Go for it!

Elroy · May 5, 2008

xroad said:
If I get a torch to soften up the breaker bar and bend the head 15 degrees, would I be weakening the breaker bar?

Do you mean something like this:

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Yep it can be done. Now this is a 1/2" bar and Elroy fully understands your looking at modifications to a 1/4" drive tool. You don't have to get them "RED HOT". Just a little propane torch and you should be good to go. Even the chrome went along for the ride. Just a little discoloration. No chipping. And the handle is as strong as it needs to be.

Elroy says go for as well

Heat Bend A Breaker Bar

xroad

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