3/8" Breaker Bar

[SRSemenza]

Hi,

Looking for a 3/8" drive breaker bar that is something more than 12" long, with smooth or grip handle but not knurled. I see that Snap On has a long one (17 or 18) and Harbor Freight has a 17". Doesn't need to be 17 + but at least 15 would be good. 12 Just seems too short.

Is the HF one any good? I have read lots about the HF 1/2" drive but .............

Seth

 

[turnthewrench]

Zoro has this

 

[rmsg0040]

Sk 15"

 

[davethorik]

Sk 15"

Op said no knurling. That is nice that SK makes that, seems like the longest non Snap-on USA made one I've seen.

 

[bob15]

The Snap On is very nice....have two of them and a knurled Proto, all 15".

 

[Tenex]

You might have better luck finding an extra long 3/8 ratchet.

 

[lakeroadster]

Could use the 1/2" drive and a 1/2" female to 3/8" male adapter?

 

[bcradio]

HF will do you just fine.

 

[SRSemenza]

Snap On has or had 15" in 3/8" drive? And the 17" would be OK too, price tag is the only hold back there since it won't see much use.

I might reconsider my general dislike of knurling looking at the SK.

Reason for the 3/8" drive is head size. I couldn't fit a 1/2" into a spot where a breaker bar would have been perfect a couple days ago. But I am pretty certain a 3/8" would fit because the 1/2 was only about an 1/8" too tall. It was the fork on handle style not the oversized other way around type.

I have an 11" 3/8 drive ratchet that fit but a little more oomph would have been welcome.

Seth

 

[turnthewrench]

I generally only buy knurled ratchets and breaker bars.

 

[cherrybomb]

Get the SK,the value will be noticed on your first tough nut.

 

[mrborohachi]

Stanley and husky have a extending handle 3/8 that has a fairly small head.
It's the #1 ratchet. I don't think Husky even sells that ratchet still, but I have seen it in WalMarts.

http://www.trucktrend.com/news/1210tr-truckin-tough-3-8-inch-ratchet-test/

I do own a Snap-On frankenstein long breaker bar. I had a Long 3/8 breaker that one of the forks broke. Took it on the truck and the dealer hands me a short one. I was like my breaker is a long handle i'm not taking that short handle breaker. He dug around really quick and found a handle to a long flex head 3/8 and put the square drive in the handle.

 

[Mr_B]

^ yeh I like knurled stuff
If OP want cheap and not using it every day the pittsburgh pro will do job and got lifetime warranty for when does break.

 

[WF103]

I checked the Wright catalog, but the longest 3/8 drive flex handle they make is 10.75". https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/flex-handle-10-3-4.html
Ah well.

 

[rmsg0040]

Matco 15"

 

[theoldwizard1]

Skip the breaker bar. Get a 3/8" flex head ratchet. About the same length and SOOOOO much more useful !

 

[bob15]

Skip the breaker bar. Get a 3/8" flex head ratchet. About the same length and SOOOOO much more useful !

All depends on what the OP is loosening. I have a scrap 3/8 drive long handle Armstrong ratchet because I used it instead of a breaker bar.

 

[wmm2]

I know you were asking about 3/8 due to size, but what about the HF 1/2 extendable ratchet? It goes to 17". I have one and it's come in handy sometimes. It's got a little smaller head than my 1/2 SK breaker that sounds like the same design you said was too big. I use mine more for the reach than the leverage, but it might work for your purposes

 

[cliftonbros89]

I have the SK 15" and it's great. Also have the Matco 15" as well, it's good too. Both I believe were cheaper than the Snap On. I have the shorter Snap On. It's good for where the length of the SK doesn't fit.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[vssjim]

I used my fairly new SK breaker bar today on some trans and diff oil plugs on a toyota and the knurling is not really rough at all. I would go with the SK again with out a second thought

 

[ryan20021982]

All smooth handle

Titan Tools 12019 18"
Matco B15EFHM 15" pressed on handle
Neiko 00338A 15"
Dewalt DWMT17136B 15"
Westward 5TZD9 15"
T&E Tools 13FH 15"

 

[Tuc04]

Koken makes a 15" smooth handle 3/8 drive bar. 3768P-380

 

[pendragon1998]

Considering the size of fasteners for which 3/8 is appropriate, I think you're likely to break or round off the heads before you break even the HF bar.

 

[Infinia]

Is the HF one any good? I have read lots about the HF 1/2" drive but .............

Seth

yes on 1/2"
3/8 long flex HF.. im afraid to put more 90-100 ftlbs on it. Just use it cuz I'm saving flexing my big guns/

 

[visionguru]

All smooth handle

Titan Tools 12019 18"
Matco B15EFHM 15" pressed on handle
Neiko 00338A 15"
Dewalt DWMT17136B 15"
Westward 5TZD9 15"
T&E Tools 13FH 15"

That's a good list.
I have this no name 17" flex 3/8" drive ratchet, more for leverage than big torque. Paid $15. So far so good, but I would not consider it a break bar, anything more than 80ft-lb, I'd use 1/2" drive.

 

[vjquan]

The HF 3/8" bar is really a 1/2" bar milled down, so the head has a 1/2" yoke. The 3/8" ratcheting breaker bar would be ideal if it had a standard head. It also has a far nicer chrome finish.

 

[Dave455]

I have the KoKen one.

Decent tool, and reasonably priced!

Same tool is sold by Beta as part of their aerospace range, or somesuch, but it's more money buying through Beta!

 

[Roju1985]

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=331139

A user here has a blue point for sale for $18 (scroll down the page to see a picture)

I purchased something from him and he was great to deal with! No association besides being a satisfied customer.

 

[cherrybomb]

It really wouldn't be a bad deal IMOO to have two different lengths of bar to fit possible situations.The price of a deluxe ratchet lasting a long time is the solution I'm after.

 

[SRSemenza]

The HF 3/8" bar is really a 1/2" bar milled down, so the head has a 1/2" yoke. The 3/8" ratcheting breaker bar would be ideal if it had a standard head. It also has a far nicer chrome finish.

Aah, now that's a good piece of info to know since I am after the 3/8 due to head size.

Thanks,

Seth

 

[SRSemenza]

Ryan , thanks for the list.

I will look up that Koken as well.

And thanks so far to everyone else.

Seth

 

[Schurkey]

Skip the breaker bar. Get a 3/8" flex head ratchet. About the same length and SOOOOO much more useful !

I really like my Snappy roto-ratchet. Longest 3/8 handle I own.

All depends on what the OP is loosening. I have a scrap 3/8 drive long handle Armstrong ratchet because I used it instead of a breaker bar.

Armstrong




In general, I despise breaker bars. Therefore, if someone asks me for a recommendation for a 3/8 breaker bar, I'd tell them to buy a long-handled 1/2" drive ratchet.

 

[turnthewrench]

Therefore, if someone asks me for a recommendation for a 3/8 breaker bar, I'd tell them to buy a long-handled 1/2" drive ratchet.

Deterrent Doctrine at its best! - Ain't no freaking small screw gonna screw with my ratchet!! Yeah baby.

 

[SRSemenza]

In general, I despise breaker bars. Therefore, if someone asks me for a recommendation for a 3/8 breaker bar, I'd tell them to buy a long-handled 1/2" drive ratchet.

That may be a good rule of thumb in general but there is no way a 1/2" drive ratchet and socket would have fit in the space I could have used a 3/8" bar.


Seth

 

[Mr_B]

Aah, now that's a good piece of info to know since I am after the 3/8 due to head size.

Thanks,

Seth

Pittsburgh pro 3/8 nothing like the 1/2 version .

Saw a 15" Dewalt one couple weeks ago on sale around 13bucks with life warranty (whatever that entails from dewalt!) was nice design/finish for the price .

 

[Wamsutta]

Definitely one of the Wrights. They have oversized knurled handles.

 

[Mr_B]

he wants smooth handle so definitely not one of the wrights

 

[1foxracing]

Wright makes a smooth handle 3/8" Model 3439
https://www.harryepstein.com/index....8vLlWBl2_v0-Ne5dDpO6U4w5kvx0oxNhoCA5sQAvD_BwE

 

[dnschmidt]

This one isn't even close. The Harbor Freight is 18" long and perfect for what apparently what he wants to do. I keep one in my car for serpentine belts. Unless you're a gorilla you'll never break it and if you do you walk into the store and they give you a new one. This is without a doubt the way to go. Oh, and it cost like $10.00. No contest here, HF in a unanimous decision.

 

[Schurkey]

That may be a good rule of thumb in general but there is no way a 1/2" drive ratchet and socket would have fit in the space I could have used a 3/8" bar.

...that's when I use a long-handled 3/8 Snappy Roto-Ratchet. Snap-On says it's only a foot long, but it's way longer than any of my other 3/8" ratchets.

Yes, a breaker bar is more compact. I still hate 'em; and managed to live without a 3/8 for my entire professional career, along with my subsequent hobby "career".

HF in a unanimous decision.

I am not part of this "unamimous" decision. Won't set foot in a HF.