1/2 "Dr beaker bar with 3/8 adapter

[dean335]

I 'm just a home mechanic working on my own car with my 3/8 "socket set 8mm -22mm . Recently I found a very tight 17mm bolt that difficult to remove so I bought 18 inches 1/2 "Dr breaker bar with 3/8 adapter to use with my 3/8 socket for solving this issue and it did the job very nicely.

Is this solution common for every body or do I need to spend money for 1/2 socket , Thanks

 

[Richard Cranium]

most of the time you will twist the 3/8 male stud off of the adaptor.

 

[cnttxmdc]

You’ll get as many opinions as there are sphincters on that. In short, use what works for you and don’t let anyone ever tool shame you.

Personally I like having different sockets for different applications. Even with some nicer stuff in the toolbox I usually go to the 1/2” impact set from HF for anything 15 mm or larger. That’s not a rule I have or anything, it’s just what seems to happen more often than not. Of course I use other fancy chrome sockets for the occasional 22mm nut, or the 10 mm out of the impact set when it’s the first I spot.

If you don’t make money with your tools and haven’t found a need for anything “big” thus far it’s all going to be a personal decision. If you can justify the cost, absolutely go all out and have fun filling your toolbox! If you can’t, do what’s right for you. There’s really not a right or wrong answer, but whatever you do get something with a lifetime warranty.

 

[cnttxmdc]

most of the time you will twist the 3/8 male stud off of the adaptor.

He’s absolutely correct on this. Adapters that go from one size to another are generally the weakest link. If yours survived, you’ll probably be in good shape for the range of things it sounds like you work on.

What torque are the bolts you’re working on spec’d at? Are you using a torque wrench to put these bolts back on? If not, I would say you should buy a torque wrench before you buy anything else (even if it’s a cheap one).

 

[ken w.]

Don't get over complicated and just use what works for you.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I'd be ruined without my 1/2" drive. While I don't use my 3/4 that much, it's usually because I need it.

I try to keep 3 or 4 of those adapters, because as mentioned, they are pretty much a consumable supply.

 

[rpcraft]

Like others have said go with what works best. I'd just buy a few extra 3/8 adapters. Pretty sure HF can sell you plenty cheap. They'll break but to be fair if you are mostly using them to pull things apart then you will be using something smaller to put it together and avoid shearing bolts or over torquing things by using the smaller ratchet or torque wrench to tighten things properly.

 

[finn]

The right thing to do is use the correct tool for the job, a 1/2” drive socket.

Having said that, I have destroyed my share of adapters, and a couple of 3/8” drive sockets through misuse.

Sometimes you do what you have to do.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I've broken several adapters, some didn't take much abuse at all.
Never have twisted off other 3/8 drives (including my 3/8 breaker bar).

 

[RoundedNut]

I do the same as the longer 3/8 breaker bars flex too much.

 

[Flybye]

At home after I broke several 3/8 sockets using my 1/2 to 3/8 adapter on a 1/2 breaker bar, I went out and bought a 1/2 socket set.

I'd say think of it this way:

If it's light work, and you don't break any sockets or adapters, then great! But don't wait to break several adapters and sockets before you upgrade to a 1/2 socket set. If you break one, upgrade to a 1/2 set, and you wont get frustrated the next time you need to use that breaker bar.

 

[cherrybomb]

I to have had to use adapters.Yes they are consumable.One problem is if you use these often,they will probably let you down at the most inopportune time.Do you want to have extra adapters in your box,buy a very high quality one?The wide range in your socket set is good,but the larger ones test the 3/8 foremat at times.IMO I don't want a 1/2 drive 8mm. socket.So depending on what you work on,I'm probably different than you.At some point ,you may want to switch over,individually sockets to the 1/2 drive foremat.You have the breaker bar,use that,then ratchet off.Depending on the torque of the fasteners, as you have found out,you will be better prepared.Home mechanics can probably stay simplfied, by changing over at 15mm,rather than have a whole another set of 1/2 drive sets in the smaller sizes.Shop guys need more options of course,and a impact changes the game.Good luck.

 

[PR1Gneon]

17mm bolt = 12mm diameter and with 12.9 grade the max tq is 120 ftlb.

You should be ok with a 3/8 drive.

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[Mr Ratchet]

17mm bolt = 12mm diameter and with 12.9 grade the max tq is 120 ftlb.

You should be ok with a 3/8 drive.

Depends on how much rust is involved or thread locker.

I've snapped more than a few reducers in the past. I still have one for three of my drive sizes. I seldom use them as I have long breaker bars in all four of my drive sizes. I agree that once you snap one, either upgrade to a longer 3/8" breaker bar or get some 1/2" drive.

 

[nmantas]

Here in the US you can get a decent quality 1/2" set (thinking Harbor Freight) for about an hourly wage to a fraction of an hourly wage depending on the job you have so it is not really a financial stress to have a full compliment of tools. I don't know how expensive a cheap but decent set would be in Bankok or how often you use your tools to see if it is worth the investment. If you don't use your tools very often you might want to keep doing what you are doing as it has worked thus far.

 

[DFB]

Sure it works ok most of the time but dependent on the amount of torque needed the 3/8" drive tang will usually break

 

[Sine Swept]

If money spent on more tools is going to make the job easier and more importantly safer on the hands (and face). If I break a tool, chances are my hands are going to hurt for a week or two and you will feel the price while you are working for it.

 

[tonyciambrone]

Data point-

The Harbor Freight Chrome adapter set has a 1/2" female to 3/8" male. They twist off at around 82 FT-LBS

I ruined my first one torquing some 16mm bolt on a PT Cruiser at school going to 87 or 88Ft-lbs

Tested two more...

Other brands are probably better but I use that as a general guideline to how much torque those things will take.

 

[PR1Gneon]

Re: 1/2 "Dr beaker bar with 3/8 adapter

Data point-

The Harbor Freight Chrome adapter set has a 1/2" female to 3/8" male. They twist off at around 82 FT-LBS

I ruined my first one torquing some 16mm bolt on a PT Cruiser at school going to 87 or 88Ft-lbs

Tested two more...

Other brands are probably better but I use that as a general guideline to how much torque those things will take.

Then HF adapter dont meet ANSI specs (166 ftlb)

Use a quality brand adapter.

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[glend123]

Keep using it until it breaks. Spend your money on another tool that breaks or that you really need in the mean time.

 

[sberry]

Considering the cost of brandless tools, the basics like Stanley a decent tool set today can afford a set of 1/2 sockets. A "few" adapters doesn't cost much less. Lets you duplicate and remove the stress from light to heavy tool. I try to use the largest drive practical when I can. I really rarely use 1/4, I got them all and not scared when I need it but if 3/8 will do it I am all over it and a tool I really like is the 1/2 air ratchet.
Same for impacts, I have a full shop and no 3/8 impact. I can do it with 1/2 and its stout and powerful, one drive size for it all keeps it simple. I do "some" car work. If I was under the hood 40 hrs a week would tend to do a little more tailoring but at the rate I do I am fine. I don't mind heavier gun for a little wheel and suspension work, never break the stuff.
So,,, yes, buy you a set of 1/2 sockets, got a tuff bolt use a heavy socket. You don't need every one ever invented but to tell the truth a set of both flavors in std and deep is really considered part of a good/complete tool set. The advent of the cheap import has made it even more "no good reason not to own them".

 

[sberry]

Set prices are so cheap but could really get buy 15/17/18 and sae. Less sets stop at 1 inch, bestter complete goes to 1 1/4. Sears deep went to 1 1/8. This all lets you do any spark plug, ball joint, lug nut in crisis.

 

[ChevyEFI]

The easiest 17mm to find might be in a nearby friend's vehicle boot, since it is a common lug nut size.

If I needed one, I wouldn't hesitate to pick up a new socket in 1/2" drive.

If you are very commonly using your 3/8" set, a breaker bar or longer ratchet can be a decent buy.

Reducers have their place, but they are specifically the weakest link, so unless it is all you have available, I like other options.

 

[tonyciambrone]

Re: 1/2 "Dr beaker bar with 3/8 adapter

Then HF adapter dont meet ANSI specs (166 ftlb)

Use a quality brand adapter.

Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-pc-high-visibility-socket-adapter-set-62851.html

Says ANSI certified...sure I'd believe they don't meet specs, and like I said other brands are probably better. And also as I said, just a data point.

 

[Vvmvbb]

If you are hanging on a breaker bar to break something loose and an adapter brakes you might get hurt, so factor that in.

 

[dean335]

I was afraid of breaking my socket ... but seem like adapter is the one that I should worry about !
Another reason I bought 1/2" breaker bar is because I plan to use it in-place of original wheel nut wrench that came along with the car( of course I will later buy 1/2" 19 mm deep socket ) Thanks you all.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Re: 1/2 "Dr beaker bar with 3/8 adapter

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-pc-high-visibility-socket-adapter-set-62851.html

Says ANSI certified...sure I'd believe they don't meet specs, and like I said other brands are probably better. And also as I said, just a data point.

My last one broke on its first lug nut which had been lightly lubed and torqued to 100 ft/lb just months before.

 

[DGersic]

17mm bolt = 12mm diameter and with 12.9 grade the max tq is 120 ftlb.

You should be ok with a 3/8 drive.

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Only if it’s clean. Add in some rust, and it’ll take a lot more than 120 ft lbs to break it loose.



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[DGersic]

I 'm just a home mechanic working on my own car with my 3/8 "socket set 8mm -22mm . Recently I found a very tight 17mm bolt that difficult to remove so I bought 18 inches 1/2 "Dr breaker bar with 3/8 adapter to use with my 3/8 socket for solving this issue and it did the job very nicely.



Is this solution common for every body or do I need to spend money for 1/2 socket , Thanks

Adapters are fine, I have and use them too. If it didn’t break, you’re ok for now. But, it will. Everything breaks at some point. The bigger the breaker bar, and the harder you pull, the more likely something will break.

I recently broke my old 18” 1/2” breaker bar. The 4’ cheater pipe probably had something to do with that. The replacement (cheap) 36” breaker bar broke on the first pull, not even putting much oomph in to it. That was returned, and replaced by a 24” Snap On bar.

Start planning for some 1/2” sockets to go with your breaker. You’ll eventually snap off the adapter, wallow out the socket, or both. Probably at a really inconvenient time, too.




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[Shane6377]

I was afraid of breaking my socket ... but seem like adapter is the one that I should worry about !

Another reason I bought 1/2" breaker bar is because I plan to use it in-place of original wheel nut wrench that came along with the car( of course I will later buy 1/2" 19 mm deep socket ) Thanks you all.

If you're going to get a 19mm socket why not get a set? The HF Pittsburgh Cr-V sockets can be had for about $18 and the Pittsburgh Pro CrMo for about $25. I have some of both and they all work well... and both are probably safer than the adapter option.


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[Ole Slewfoot]

Just as a guess, I'd bet HF Pittsburg availability, pricing, and service isn't great in Thailand.

 

[ken w.]

The guy is from Bangkok. Is there even a HF in that country ?

 

[Formula]

My snap on 1/2 to 3/8 adapter is over 20 years old and I've never broke it yet. It's had a hard life and keeps on going

 

[Paco Pena]

Look for a set of decent half inch drive sockets on sale. Always come in handy.

paco