1/2 Breaker Bar Recommendations

[Nocturnal-G]

Can anyone recommend any good ones? I need one soon, I'll be fine with Kobalt, Craftsman, any other brand I can possibly buy today from a store. I'm going to use to take my V-Belt off, but would like a decent one I can use a lot. Would love a German one but need it soon. Thanks guys!

 

[bart1]

Go ahead and try to find a 24" one. I have the cheapo Harbor Freight and it has been good for several years now. Design has changed some, I don't know if the new ones are as good.

 

[Nocturnal-G]

Go ahead and try to find a 24" one. I have the cheapo Harbor Freight and it has been good for several years now. Design has changed some, I don't know if the new ones are as good.

I'll give it a shot... Any accessible German brands out there that are good? Maybe on Amazon? I checked Wiha and all they had was an insulated breaker bar. If anything I'll buy one that's temporary and pick up a nice one soon.

And I just checked... the nearest Harbor Freight is pretty far. The only stores near me are Napa, Sears, Lowes, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, and a pawn shop or two.

 

[chevy.stroker]

I know a few who own the newer HF breaker bar. It does its job. If you want US made in my neck of the woods pawn shops always have a lot of good ones, and they tend to under value that particular tool ($3 range).

 

[pipsters]

I believe the Craftsman 15" and 18" are still US made. However to be honest I have one from Autozone that has been great. I have a 4' cheater pipe I put over it to make it about 5' long. Takes it like a champ. Honestly I don't think you can go wrong on any of them, they are all about the same.

 

[bart1]

I'll give it a shot... Any accessible German brands out there that are good? Maybe on Amazon? I checked Wiha and all they had was an insulated breaker bar. If anything I'll buy one that's temporary and pick up a nice one soon.

And I just checked... the nearest Harbor Freight is pretty far. The only stores near me are Napa, Sears, Lowes, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, and a pawn shop or two.

Acessible, yes. Jens Putzier or the Motoring Shop should be able to hook you up.

Then there is this: http://www.samstagsales.com/hazet.htm

 

[DTB]

GearWrench 15" or 24" breaker bar from Advance Auto.Should be in stock.I've had the 24" for awhile now,no complaints.

 

[R Walter]

Sears On-line is 15% off both the 18in and the 15in. Can't imagine you'd ever tear one up if used as a breaker bar and not a pry bar or worse.

 

[TwoInch]

I believe the Craftsman 15" and 18" are still US made..

the breakers i have seen at sears have been chinese for sometime

 

[Matt018]

I bought my harbor freight one a month or two ago, Its worked fine.

 

[bsaint]

gw the pivot bolt or pin whichever you want to call it has loosened up on my. my mac one works great.

 

[Wakefield]

I believe the Craftsman 15" and 18" are still US made. However to be honest I have one from Autozone that has been great. I have a 4' cheater pipe I put over it to make it about 5' long. Takes it like a champ. Honestly I don't think you can go wrong on any of them, they are all about the same.

Would that be the Duralast 72-124 (or similar one without the rubber grip on the end of the handle) Taiwan not China?

 

[fourtythree]

I think all the Duralast breakers are Chinese now. I looked at them in the store, the chinese look damn cheap side by side with the taiwan made. I wouldn't buy the chinese duralast bar.

 

[5mall5nail5]

Craftsman 1/2" 18"er is US made and a great value.

 

[KinzeMech]

What is closest to you? Napa, Sears, or Lowe's?

 

[pipsters]

Would that be the Duralast 72-124 (or similar one without the rubber grip on the end of the handle) Taiwan not China?

Looks like I bought it at Advance Auto it's an "Ampro" brand. It is Taiwan.

 

[Vvmvbb]

24" SK from Amazon?

 

[rider9195]

If there is a Matco truck in your area check it out. I have the C24FH and love it. But I would stop by Auto Zone or HF if you have to.

 

[Nocturnal-G]

I have the chance of getting a 19 inch PLVMB Proto 1/2 drive breaker bar for 30 bucks... I don't know anything about quality on those. Should I get it? Lowes was out of the 1/2 drives. :-/

 

[ATC]

If your Napa has the 70% off deal going, you can get an 18" USA made bar for $17 like I did. My store didn't have any larger...yours might.

I also have Craftsman 18" and 24" and have used them a lot with great results

 

[littletoes]

I've a 30" Snappy 1/2" drive model...its mo'betta.

But the Plvmb/Proto-you won't be sorry.

 

[shoturtle]

the proto bars are good quality. For german, you will be paying allot. And you will not get them quick

 

[03protege]

I bought the Harbor Freight unit to for a specific task. Like many other Harbor freight purchases, looking back I wish I would have spent more money elsewhere.

 

[RedFordTruck]

the breakers i have seen at sears have been chinese for sometime

I havent seen any Chinese breaker bars at sears.

 

[shoturtle]

PS,

I think sears discontinued the USA craftsman breaker bar.

 

[Hank McMauser]

30 seems a little high for a used tool, but it's still better than shelling out the same amount of money for a taiwan/chinese made tool. I'd alsoagree with another poster above, breaker bars don't get much respect ,and if you aren't in a hurry one could be picked up at a flea mkt or pawn shop/yard sale relatively cheap.
Try the Orange College flea market, I went there a few years ago when on vacation w/ the family(disney) and I wasn't disapointed

 

[Vvmvbb]

...it occurs to me that this particular tool you may want to spend some extra dough on and get something that's very good. If this tool breaks you can easily get injured.

 

[Nocturnal-G]

Luckily I haven't bought anything yet... I'd much rather get something of higher quality, I definitely don't want to get injured and I'd like to be able to have the option of using it everyday even though I probably won't use it everyday. If I end up buying on amazon, it'll probably be the SK since I can't find anything else that's high quality. Any recommendations on the higher quality stuff? Thanks guys!

 

[d.mcfarland]

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-1-2-in-dr-18-in-flex-handle/p-00944202000P

$23.79. Buy online, pick up in store. If you decide you don't like it, you have time to find something you really like. You can always sell this one in the classified section.

 

[DWise]

Borrow one from a friend or relative to change the belt, then you can take your time to find the best one for your budget.

 

[camarotoolman]

Used usa one from the fleemarket, help a poor vender like me out! Keeps money here instead of sending it to China.

 

[KinzeMech]

PS,
I think sears discontinued the USA craftsman breaker bar.

I bought one last week at a local store. USA. It is possible I may have bought old stock.

 

[NUTTSGT]

...it occurs to me that this particular tool you may want to spend some extra dough on and get something that's very good. If this tool breaks you can easily get injured.

That was my exact thought when I ponied up and spent the money on a Snap-on breaker bar.

 

[Griff93]

If you're really going to use it as a breaker bar, I'd pony up for a good one. Over the years, I've broken the craftsman one probably a dozen times. The square drive on the end just twists off. I have yet to break my SO one and it's been treated equally.

 

[Wakefield]

...it occurs to me that this particular tool you may want to spend some extra dough on and get something that's very good. If this tool breaks you can easily get injured.

Would a Sunnex 3/4" to 1/2" impact adapter/reducer be reliable enough to allow use of a Wright or S.K 3/4" drive bar? (I have heard that adapters can break) One of those bars should certainly be strong-- Of course one could get some 3/4" drive sockets.extension for over 7/8"ths size or so--

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I keep a cheapo HF bar in each of my cars, but when at home I really love my Snappy's....

 

[shoturtle]

Look at the armstrong breaker bar, they are really nice. Made in the USA. And you can get it on amazon as well.

The proto bars are very good quality breakers as well.

 

[broinkrist]

I got the Craftsman 18" 1/2" Breaker bar from Sears maybe a month ago. USA made.

 

[Nocturnal-G]

Thank you for all the recommendations guys. I'll be stopping at a pawn shop or two today to see what they have... If anything, I'll find something decent.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

GearWrench 15" or 24" breaker bar from Advance Auto.Should be in stock.I've had the 24" for awhile now,no complaints.

I've got the 24" too and it's been a good bar so far.