1/4 breaker bar

[May Pop]

II use mine for taking out differential pin bolts. Tight space and can put a deep socket and extension on for a cheater. Comes in handy in the junkyard.

Ron

 

[amguttin]

I have a 1930s craftsman but i only have it because it matches my 3/8 and 1/2 inch ones from the 30s

 

[Chadwilliam1]

pics ^

 

[ianguilly]

My dad gave me a SO one a few months back, still have never used it to this day.

 

[03protege]

I've only come across one bolt that was so tight I felt like it was over-stressing my 1/4" ratchet.

So I just used a 3/8" ratchet, problem solved.

 

[Hootbro]

When I did bench work on Aviation avionics box repairs, a 1/4" breaker bar came handy many times were the head of a standard ratchet would interfere.

 

[shampoop]

I'd say go with a craftsman one. My 3/8" craftsman breaker bar was super cheap, under $10 iirc. And it's proven itself to actually be very strong even on super tight fasteners while doubling it's length with a breaker bar. Really strange as my skinny old father managed to break his 1/2" craftsman breaker bar without a cheater that he very rarely uses.

 

[zbadass28]

I have a Snap-On one I never used. Just filler. I use the longer 1/4 drive snappy ratchet if I need a bit more leverage.

 

[johnachak]

Honestly, I have used a 3/8 to 1/4 adapter with a 3/8 ratchet to break loose 1/4 drive bolts / nuts. That's not to say if I saw a nice American made one at a yard sale that I wouldn't ****** it up in a minute.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I've only come across one bolt that was so tight I felt like it was over-stressing my 1/4" ratchet.

So I just used a 3/8" ratchet, problem solved.

That's cool... except for the 95% of times when you're using 1/4" stuff because that's all that'll fit.

I absolutely LOVE the 8" Matco. The extra length means I don't have to put stupid pressure on it, I have more control when it breaks loose, so fewer busted knuckles. I have the excessively long 15" 3/8 ratchet for the same reason.

 

[03protege]

That's cool... except for the 95% of times when you're using 1/4" stuff because that's all that'll fit.

I absolutely LOVE the 8" Matco. The extra length means I don't have to put stupid pressure on it, I have more control when it breaks loose, so fewer busted knuckles. I have the excessively long 15" 3/8 ratchet for the same reason.

My 1/4" ratchet is the standard cheapie Craftsman, I find it to be pretty weak so I have never really relied on it for anything beyond light duty speed ratcheting. I plan on getting a nicer one, maybe I will find myself using it more.

As for not fitting I usually wind up using a wrench.

 

[aluminum13]

I do have one, (stamped "Craftsman / Forged in USA -V- 43523") and I appreciate it's unbeatable simplicity, however, I have ratcheting versions of this sort of thing.

1/4" HF roto-ratchet with melted on screwdriver handle really is my favorite ratchet for bikes, small engine.

and for tight spaces (offset) i like this:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0062FSAVI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

i suppose i'd consider carrying a mini breaker with sockets as an emergency item in bike tool bag, but I can't think of how that'd be much better than a small adjustable wrench.

 

[Jim C.]

I have one but I rarely, if ever, use it. I think I bought it because I have a 1/2" and a 3/8", so I figured what the heck, I'll get a 1/4" too. It mostly just takes up space in my box.

Jim C.

 

[Cryptic1911]

If you need a breaker bar for a 1/4", then its either on way too tight, or you should be using a 3/8" instead

 

[laskt9]

If you need a breaker bar for a 1/4", then its either on way too tight, or you should be using a 3/8" instead

This is my opinion as well.

Sent from my SGH-I927 using Tapatalk 2

 

[mrjaw14]

This is my opinion as well.

Sent from my SGH-I927 using Tapatalk 2

Unless clearance is an issue. Clearance + rust would be even worse. I'm not a pro, so all I have is a 1/4' Cman ratchet, no a nicer SO, SK, or matco that can take the stress. As other's have mentioned the 1/4" C-man feels a bit weak, so to save my ratchet I bust fasteners loose with a breaker bar first usuaslly.

Got a C-man 1/4" breaker bar for $1 at a pawn shop. I'm right there with whoever said they use 1/4" as nut drivers, the 1/4" breaker bar is perfect for that where a spinner handle might not bust it loose. saves you from changing tools.

I also use them to back up a ratchet or impact wrench when using a bold and nut configuration.

My vote was I use it a lot! I was wondering about this topic myself, os thanks to the OP for bringing it up

 

[lauver]

A flex-handle breaker bar can also be used as a spinner handle; comes in very handy for quickly running nuts or bolts on/off. Then change back to 90 degree position for final tightening.

Breaker bars are underrated and underused IMHO; could be because I don't have or use air tools.

 

[GSMotorrad]

i suppose i'd consider carrying a mini breaker with sockets as an emergency item in bike tool bag, but I can't think of how that'd be much better than a small adjustable wrench.

That's what brought me to this thread. I saw this picture by "team ftb" on a motorcycle toolkit thread:

With twelve point sockets, it's got a 30º swing, but no worries of a ratcheting failure on the road. (not that I've ever broken a ratchet, but Murphy's Law . . .)

It takes up a little less room in a tiny toolkit (it's not like 1/4 stuff is that big though), and I might not want to mess with a reverse lever on a dark and cold rainy night, on the side of the road, and possibly with gloves. Should be more durable (only one, simple, moving part), without carrying an expensive, premium branded ratchet on the road.

I've never had one before, but I'm going to get one now. I'll hit up eBay for a vintage Snap-On one, since they're so inexpensive.

 

[48RON54]

I didn't even know 1/4" breaker bars existed to be honest..........

I only have a 1/2" breaker bar and it seems to be all I need for what I'm doing.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

If I have a small job and grab my 1/4 kit to go with me, then I have used my breaker bar a bunch. If I am in the shop I wouldn't even remember I have one.

 

[BFHtime]

I wish I had one yesterday. I was fixing threads from a bolt pulled from the spare bolts and junk. I needed a longer bolt for a small fab job. The bolt was small 5.5mm of all things. So I had a 1/4 semi deep socket to hold it, but going back and forth with the ratchet was tedious. So I wish I had a 1/4 breaker bar then, would have been much faster.

I ended up using a 1/4 nut driver/ extension. Popped the socket on and was in business. I put a 1 inch socket on the dye and was done in a minute. Previously was chasing the threads with slow results. So they have their use. For multiple bolts and speed by hand they are faster than a ratchet.

 

[48RON54]

If I have a small job and grab my 1/4 kit to go with me, then I have used my breaker bar a bunch. If I am in the shop I wouldn't even remember I have one.

Based on your previous posts I believe you own some laundromats, right? I think if I had to work on washing machines any more than I do, then I could see maybe using one from time to time.

 

[GSMotorrad]

For multiple bolts and speed by hand they are faster than a ratchet.

Not faster than a roto-ratchet, though. That's why it's taken me this long to get one. My roto's always filled that void for me:

 

[dragonballz]

Not faster than a roto-ratchet, though. That's why it's taken me this long to get one. My roto's always filled that void for me:

Why is there a split down that handle?

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Based on your previous posts I believe you own some laundromats, right? I think if I had to work on washing machines any more than I do, then I could see maybe using one from time to time.

Correct. Generally anything on the top half of the machines are small. Basket and below is large. 1/4 gets used a lot.

 

[GSMotorrad]

Why is there a split down that handle?

They're all that way. You can adjust the tension of the rotating head with that screw on the side, and to remove/replace the head on these things.

 

[dragonballz]

They're all that way. You can adjust the tension of the rotating head with that screw on the side, and to remove/replace the head on these things.

Ohhh cool. I always thought it had something to do with spring tension or torque something something something

 

[BFHtime]

You are absolutely correct. I agree 100%. I use two hands on them like I am making a fire, when I want to haul ***. The 3/8 snap-on is my favorite ratchet. The 1/4 is nice too. The two hand method is very fast.

 

[GSMotorrad]

Ohhh cool. I always thought it had something to do with spring tension or torque something something something

I prefer the smooth, free-motion types, instead of the indexed ones (like the Wera Zyklops), because you can make 'em tight if you like, and having all the more angles comes in real handy. I keep mine medium-tight. Sometimes, I'll have to "roto" it throughout the swing, to clear something in the way. Bringing the ratchet from 90º to 45º with each swing. Indexed types would make that annoying.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Just last night I actually used my 3/8 breaker bar. Never used it before, but I was using a 7/16" re-threader and as you want to go back and forth to clean threads, a ratchet sux because you have to keep flipping direction.

 

[GSMotorrad]

You are absolutely correct. I agree 100%. I use two hands on them like I am making a fire, when I want to haul ***. The 3/8 snap-on is my favorite ratchet. The 1/4 is nice too. The two hand method is very fast.

Whoa. I've never even thought of that! Gonna have to give that a shot. I always just used the typical screwdriver-grip. Thanks for the brilliant new method! Now I love my roto's even more, which I didn't think was possible. Sweet.

 

[shockwave]

I use mine all the time it's great for adjusting rear toe on Mercedes with the 12mm triple square bit extremely tight there

 

[mailpup]

One good use for a 1/4" breaker bar I've found is to tighten the two shear bolts holding the ignition switch assembly to the steering column on an older Honda Accord. This was for a 1997 model and I believe the bolt head was 8mm. There is no room for a larger drive and you're supposed to torque the bolts enough to break/shear off the bolt heads. You might be able to do it with a regular 1/4" drive ratchet but you don't have much leverage and control when it breaks. A breaker bar makes it a bit easier to do the job.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I dont get why this is even a debate. This is garage journal, I have three 1/4 breaker bars a Craftsman a Snap On and an SK.

 

[GSMotorrad]

I dont get why this is even a debate. This is garage journal, I have three 1/4 breaker bars a Craftsman a Snap On and an SK.

Which one is your favorite, and why? I just picked up an older Snap-On. I liked this one because it's small and keeps the same diameter for its entire length, instead of being contoured with a skinnier neck like most I see.

It even ended up costing less than the Williams with the skinny neck. Here's the USA-made Williams WILM42A for visual comparison.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I originally posted in this thread back in '12 when it started. I've since bought a 1/4" breaker bar. It was an impulse buy at Menard's and I have yet to use it.


Allen, made in the USA.
http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...en-1-4-drive-flex-handle/p-1963689-c-9159.htm

 

[wafrederick]

Ratchets,you don't use when bleeding brakes.The brake fluid has some metalic stuff in it that tears up the ratcheting mechanism right up.My Matco tool dealer fixed a customer's ratchet twice.It was the brake fluid doing it,asked the customer if he was using it for bleeding brakes and the answer was yes.I have used my 1/4 breaker bar to break loose certain small driveshaft bolts,will round them off if you don't do this taking them out with an impact.

 

[GSMotorrad]

Ratchets,you don't use when bleeding brakes.The brake fluid has some metalic stuff in it that tears up the ratcheting mechanism right up.My Matco tool dealer fixed a customer's ratchet twice.It was the brake fluid doing it,asked the customer if he was using it for bleeding brakes and the answer was yes.I have used my 1/4 breaker bar to break loose certain small driveshaft bolts,will round them off if you don't do this taking them out with an impact.

Does brake fluid also deteriorate chrome? I thought DOT-5 was safe (silicone based), but 3 and 4 eat stuff, but this is all hearsay.

 

[wafrederick]

It does,you spray it down with brake clean or rinse it down with water asap.

 

[Flat-rate]

I use it to remove rear end spyder gear retainer bolt, no room to get a ratchet in there. Also when bleeding brakes in a tight area.