Looking for an xtra long 3/8” drive Breaker Bar

Stevenn1 · Mar 15, 2019

I’m looking at either the SK 45155 15” or the Snap-on F18LA 18”. Snap-on wants $85 and HJE wants $36 for the SK. I’m wanting a non-comfort grip handle. I want the longest 3/8” drive I can get. My budget is up to $100. I’m not interested in anything from Harbor Freight, plus their version doesn’t have very good reviews. Any other high-quality USA made options? Is 3” more really worth the extra $50?
(I’m prepared for some interesting comments)

Handyandy23 · Mar 15, 2019

Tekton has 3/8 long 90 tooth ratchets that are 18" long (can either get in QR or non-QR) that are $35. Or if you just want a straight non-ratcheting breaker bar they have a 3/8" that's 18" for $22.

I know it's not USA-made, but they get lots of positive reviews both here and online, have an actual hassle-free warranty, and they're inexpensive. They are Taiwan-made, but as a company Tekton is also expanding with more and more USA-made products (screwdrivers, pry bars, angle wrenches, etc) and have their headquarters in Michigan. So if your concern is supporting American companies I would say they are worth backing.

I can't speak from personal experience on the Tekton, but based on all the good feedback I ordered a 3/8" bent handle flex head ratchet that's coming today, so I can give some feedback on how I like that later if you're interested.

Fedwrench · Mar 15, 2019

I have the SK model. It's ok. It's a little on the thin side. It's as if they took their regular 3/8 breaker bar and just lengthened it. There's a bit of flex with it. It is handy if you need the reach its length provides. I don't use it that much as I usually just use a longer ratchet. It does have some nice chrome. i picked it up from Epstein's when they first came out a couple of years ago or so with SK's 30 inch 1/2 drive breaker bar.

johninct · Mar 15, 2019

I have the Snap-On. It works great.

bwringer · Mar 15, 2019

15" or 18" is plenty to snap a 3/8" drive square fairly easily, no matter what kind of magical alien Ming Metal Unobtanium it's supposedly made of.

So of those two I'd go for the SK rather than paying the Strap-On tax.

And yeah, that Tekton ratchet is quite nice and very well made, and a real bargain. Again, at that length you're just up against the limits of metallurgy and physics and it's quite possible to break it if you ever go moderately Gorilla Mode.

Mr Ratchet · Mar 15, 2019

I have the SO 18" 3/8" BB. It's a nice bar and I like the added length. I had a younger guy at work buy a Gearwrench that's the same size. We did a side by side breaking loose some bigger lightly rusted fasteners and they flexed/performed the same. His was only bucks though I know you said USA made but, you might want to look at the GW. Had GW had this bar out when I bought my SO, I would have went with the GW.

lugnut71 · Mar 15, 2019

i have the snap on 18" comfort grip one, its one tool i dont know how i lived without for so many years, of course didnt have torque adapters years ago, it works awesome with them to get in tight spots and break stuff loose.

Tuc04 · Mar 15, 2019

Koken makes a 15" bar. 3768P-380 Made in Japan and like all Koken things I've ever seen it's very nice.

ChrisLS8 · Mar 15, 2019

lugnut71 said:
i have the snap on 18" comfort grip one, its one tool i dont know how i lived without for so many years, of course didnt have torque adapters years ago, it works awesome with them to get in tight spots and break stuff loose.

I've never owned a 3/8 breaker ever. I can't think of any time I'd need one that a ratchet wouldn't work. It's like 1/4 breaker bars

finn · Mar 15, 2019

Next week you’ll be back crying that Gearwrench won’t warranty the two 13mm deep sockets you snapped.

Kev442 · Mar 15, 2019

finn said:
Next week you’ll be back crying that Gearwrench won’t warranty the two 13mm deep sockets you snapped.

If it wasn't for someone posting on the GJ several years ago about what a POS the TeKton extra long 3/8ths is because it broke taking the front suspension apart on his truck, I wouldn't have even known this gem existed.
So, consider these guys bitching about their tool abuse as a PSA. /s

turnthewrench 2.0 · Mar 15, 2019

ChrisLS8 said:
I've never owned a 3/8 breaker ever. I can't think of any time I'd need one that a ratchet wouldn't work. It's like 1/4 breaker bars

^^^
This. I've had a Danaher Kobalt 3/8 breaker bar for over 10 years and there hasn't been a time when a long ratchet didn't do the job.

I've used it twice if that.

plinker · Mar 15, 2019

I have the 15" S-K breaker bar, as mentioned it does flex a bit, but I havent broken it yet. I do use it once in a while for belt tensioners, but a ratchet usually does the job.

ChrisLS8 said:
I've never owned a 3/8 breaker ever. I can't think of any time I'd need one that a ratchet wouldn't work. It's like 1/4 breaker bars

I use them with hex/torx sockets, kind of like a large hex wrench. They'll also work as a sort of offset box type wrench at times. This applies to 1/4 & 3/8 in particular.

With mainly 1/2 drive I'll use one to "back up" an impact instead of using a wrench so it wont dig into your hand.

GirlnAgarage · Mar 15, 2019

This thread has me wondering if I'm a neanderthal. If my 3/8" drive 11" 44833 isn't long enough, I'll bring out a 1/2" drive option which solves the issues, clearance given of course.

So I guess what kind of situation would a extra long 3/8" breaker bar be used?

turnthewrench 2.0 · Mar 15, 2019

GirlnAgarage said:
So I guess what kind of situation would a extra long 3/8" breaker bar be used?

lugnut71 · Mar 15, 2019

One example is something u can’t get a socket on , wrench only, with torque adapters u basically have a long flex head wrench

lugnut71 · Mar 15, 2019

Also if u use crow feet on any type of fuel / hydraulic lines, u can’t use a ratchet because head is to big and hits the steel line , use breaker bar and crow foot turned 90 degrees , works great

GirlnAgarage · Mar 15, 2019

lugnut71 said:
One example is something u can’t get a socket on , wrench only, with torque adapters u basically have a long flex head wrench

wrench only I get..but breaker bar, with a drive adapter, I think ratchet

GirlnAgarage · Mar 15, 2019

turnthewrench 2.0 said:

You're right, I'm a total idiot

GirlnAgarage · Mar 15, 2019

lugnut71 said:
Also if u use crow feet on any type of fuel / hydraulic lines, u can’t use a ratchet because head is to big and hits the steel line , use breaker bar and crow foot turned 90 degrees , works great

Oh gotcha. Makes sense.
I guess I'm thinking the difference of 3/8 to 1/2" drive tools in regards to swing area vs the clearance for the head/point of contact.

turnthewrench 2.0 · Mar 15, 2019

GirlnAgarage said:
You're right, I'm a total idiot

Wamsutta · Mar 15, 2019

bwringer said:
And yeah, that Tekton ratchet is quite nice and very well made, and a real bargain.

I couldn't get rid of it fast enough if you gave it to me.

Super Sport · Mar 15, 2019

I have owned the Harbor Freight 17", the Matco comfort grip 15", and most recently the Snap On 18". The Harbor Freight is thick and heavy but held up fine for me. The Matco has been great but I also don't care for the comfort grip. The Snap On took me a long time to get at a reasonable price used because they don't come up often.

I use these frequently. Oil drain plugs are common uses since they are often too tight for a ratchet and I don't want to break out the 1/2 drive. Maybe I overtighten them, but I've never had an issue there either. I have yet to break a socket, but I have broken a handful of 1/2-3/8 adapters over the years using 1/2 breaker bars.

turnthewrench 2.0 · Mar 15, 2019

This is my favorite "3/8" breaker bar

https://amzn.to/2CnwZs9

vssjim · Mar 15, 2019

I have the SK and use it all the time and I have lots of ratchets also but sometimes that s all that fits and it works great would buy another without fail

anndel · Mar 16, 2019

I have the Snap-on F18LA and love it. I love comfort grip ratchets as well due to my arthritis but I don't use it every time so it's fine.

bwringer · Mar 16, 2019

Long-ish 3/8" breaker bars are fairly essential for serpentine belt tensioners in tight quarters.

A set of shallow sockets is also mightly handy in these situations.

ChrisLS8 · Mar 16, 2019

Wamsutta said:
I couldn't get rid of it fast enough if you gave it to me.

Yes we know you don't like tools from Taiwan no matter how well made they are

geartow · Mar 16, 2019

autozone has a duralast 3/8 breaker bar that is 18 inches long . the head broke so i got one of mac it fit perfect now i have a strong 3/8 breaker bar

Handyandy23 · Mar 16, 2019

Handyandy23 said:
I can't speak from personal experience on the Tekton, but based on all the good feedback I ordered a 3/8" bent handle flex head ratchet that's coming today, so I can give some feedback on how I like that later if you're interested.

Just to update I got this Tekton bent handle yesterday, and I'm very happy with it. Feels like a quality tool. The 90T pawl is really nice and smooth, and most importantly has very little back drag compared to the high tooth count HF/Princess Auto ones I've looked at in the past. Pear shaped head is nice and small and thin. Chrome finish is flawless.

I'll see how it ages, but as a DIYer I can't see myself spending 3x+ on a SO when Tekton makes such nice stuff. And that's not an attempt to knock SO, I'm sure they make really nice ratchets (or else you wouldn't see so many people in love with them), but for me I can't justify the value.

DFB · Mar 16, 2019

18" is a nice length for a 3/8" breaker bar short 9-12" ones are near useless IMO.

I have 2 of the Tekton breaker bars from off my tool tables, a 15" length in 1/2" which I like a lot.

But the 3/8" is only 12". I find the little round handle of the 3/8" much too narrow for my mits. It's only 5/8" dia. (1/2" is 7/8") though a 3/4" cheater pipe will slide right over it easily if necessary

And for all respects it's looks identical to the Neiko on Amazon.

I just looked at HF reviews on the 3/8" drive 18" breaker. Close to 500 reviewers. And actually out of 474 total posts there are 66 or 14% giving it poor reviews, basically saying the drive head snapped mostly on lug nuts though a few listed some other applications.

Given the options in the first post SK be my choice

eschoendorff · Mar 16, 2019

Why would anyone use3/8 drive on lug nuts???

turnthewrench 2.0 · Mar 16, 2019

eschoendorff said:
Why would anyone use3/8 drive on lug nuts???

Not the right tool for the job, but... go figure!

DFB · Mar 16, 2019

I do enjoy reading many of the negative HF reviews to find out the exuberant expectations of some consumers and often times the WHY's of premature tool failure :lol_hitti

ChrisLS8 · Mar 16, 2019

I use 3/8 on lugs all the time (90-130ft lbs) well within the spec for that drive size

patchap · Mar 16, 2019

I keep an 18" 3/8 bar in my truck toolbox. More than adequate for wheels and minor repairs
Saves me carrying a 1/2" socket set since I need a 3/8 kit anyway.

finn · Mar 16, 2019

turnthewrench 2.0 said:
Not the right tool for the job, but... go figure!

Helps understand the obsession with warranty policies, though.

The concept of the right tool for the job is eclipsed by “I’m in a hurry and get paid flat rate”

Handyandy23 · Mar 16, 2019

ChrisLS8 said:
I use 3/8 on lugs all the time (90-130ft lbs) well within the spec for that drive size

This. Even Tekton's website advertises their 3/8 drive ratchets as good to 240 ft-lbs. I think where people run into issues is using junky thin chrome sockets (likely good for 100 ft lbs or less) on their 240 ft lb breaker bar.

Wamsutta · Mar 16, 2019

ChrisLS8 said:
Yes we know you don't like tools from Taiwan no matter how well made they are

I would find something that I don't like about it; I guarantee you.

mfewtrail · Mar 17, 2019

DFB said:
18" is a nice length for a 3/8" breaker bar short 9-12" ones are near useless IMO.

I use a 12'' 3/8'' breaker bar from time to time. I mostly use it in tight spaces where I don't want to apply full force to a ratchet and potentially end up smashing my hand into metal when the fastener breaks loose.

I have the HF 3/8'' breaker bar as well. I use it sometimes instead of a serpentine belt tool. I wouldn't recommend anyone use these on stubborn lug nuts or anything torqued very tight. I mostly use mine for clearance purposes. One of my previous 3/8 hf breakers met it's demise at the junkyard on a stubborn lug nut. It held up to more force than I thought it would before shearing the drive end off. A 220lb man got a few bounces on it before it snapped.

None of us had a proper breaker bar as we mainly went to get a bunch of interior parts that day. I just happened to have the bar in my bag so we gave it a try...

Looking for an xtra long 3/8” drive Breaker Bar

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