Adjustable Prybars

[Rezeppa]

I am interested in buying a set of adjustable / indexing pry bars. I have heard good things but I am just a little nervous about breaking them so I am considering spending the big bucks on SO so I don't have to worry about warranty issues. If I could get some feedback from your guys's experience anything would be helpful. Also aren't the Matco, Craftsman, and Gearwrench all the same?

 

[danielhp89]

No experience with any brands however I do like the looks of that Carlyle indexing pry bars, if you have a Napa close they would be easy to warranty.

 

[TheGrooveking]

The Smap On adjustable prybars are made by Gearwrench, which are the same as the old Matco versions except after the Apex merger the Cooper design from Crescent made units available from Matco are the cat's ***.

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/IDP24O/24-INDEXIBLE-PRY-BAR-ORANGE/

TheGrooveking

 

[cyato]

I have the SO 24" and 16" adjustable pry bars and absolutely love them. I got a good deal on them, but they are worth the price to me. The Gearwrench and others look to have a shorter "head" with a slightly different profile, but I've never held one in my hand to compare them side to side. They are easy to adjust and have plenty of angle choices to get the right leverage for whatever situation you're in.

 

[bobcatdan]

I have the two large ones, something like 36" and 24". Pretty handy and have not broke one.

 

[jamesc]

a co worker has a gear wrench one, he bought it from the snap on truck. he broke it in the first 3 months he got it warrantied and it is fine ever since.

 

[Rezeppa]

Ok so are all of them the same? So does Gear-wrench make all of them for all the brands?

 

[bobcatdan]

Ok so are all of them the same? So does Gear-wrench make all of them for all the brands?

I would say SO makes their own since the handle is the same as their ratchets and is stamped USA. As far as I know all the versions of the apex made ones like gear wrench and craftsman are imported.

 

[Loscaldazar]

I would say SO makes their own since the handle is the same as their ratchets and is stamped USA. As far as I know all the versions of the apex made ones like gear wrench and craftsman are imported.

Gearwrench/Apex (or whatever they are now) actually has US based manufacturing facilities that pump out armstrong and a few other brands. Wouldn't be surprised if that is where they made the SO versions so they are US made.

 

[devoncoolman]

The first snapon indexing prybars were gear wrench. I belive the new ones are snapon made

 

[neophyte]

Ok so are all of them the same? So does Gear-wrench make all of them for all the brands?

There's more than one design of adjustable/indexable pry bar. In the USA there are at least two distinct designs that are sold that are produced in China and/or Taiwan. Hultafors of Sweden Produces two different designs as well, although they don't currently have a USA distributor. Garrett Wade used to sell a few sizes of adjustable pry bars that were also made in Sweden. I don't know whether they were also made by Hultafors or some other company. They are no longer offered though. Hanson used to produce, or at least sell, some different sizes of adjustable pry bars that were made in the USA. Some designs may be patented but I doubt all of them could be at this point. The Neiko style pry bar is sold under more than one brand, and I'm fairly certain the Gearwrench style is as well. I've only seen the Hultafors ones sold under their own brand name.

http://www.hultafors.com/products/p...ng-bars/wrecking-bar-steel-adjustable-109-sb/

http://www.hultafors.com/products/p...g-bars/-wrecking-bar-steel-adjustable-209-sb/

 

[Rezeppa]

So the conclusion is these are not a gimmick and an asset to any toolbox right? I guess unless I get some negative feedback these are a go in the near future. What sizes do my fellow Members use most frequently?

 

[bobcatdan]

I bought the larger sizes because I felt those fit my needs. I saw no use for the smaller ones. Since getting the two I have, I haven't found a reason to get any smaller one.

 

[cyato]

So the conclusion is these are not a gimmick and an asset to any toolbox right? I guess unless I get some negative feedback these are a go in the near future. What sizes do my fellow Members use most frequently?

Definitely not a gimmick in my book. The 24" is my go-to. I have the regular SO pry bar set which gets a lot less use since I bought the adjustable versions. I'm pretty sure that Snap On makes the current version. Even if they don't, the Gearwrench pry bars are not "identical" to the SO. The neck design is much beefier on the SO.

 

[Danglerb]

Indexable seems real handy to me. What I have done a couple times is set the index to my foot holding the handle to the floor puts the item at the height I want, so not just prying.

I also have from HF a ladyfoot with a 3/8 square drive to use with a ratchet or breaker bar, sort of a crowfoot prybar .

 

[devoncoolman]

They were kind of gimmicky when they first came out. But they have improved the designs and made them beefier. They really have taken off. Alot of people have them now. Honestly if u dont have a real use for the small ones dont bother. Just get the bigger ones.

 

[bcradio]

I would definitely say they are a worth while investment for the toolbox. I purchased the Craftsman 3pc set and they have come in very handy a number of times. I'd say buy one first and see if you like it, then buy more if you do.

 

[hemdale]

Hi guys,

I'm considering getting this one, Hultafors 209 SB:

I'm slightly concerned about the adjustment knob...
Does anyone heard positive things ?

 

[Danglerb]

What I look at is how does the mechanism lock, but all that I have including the HF are lifetime warranty, haven't broken any yet.

I would still go back to a solid design for anything nasty unless the indexing made a job a LOT easier. I always think, what happens if the tool fails, so maybe treat the indexing like a jack, ok for temporary movement, then put something solid in to hold if any body parts you like are at risk.

 

[HMCFab9]

I've got the 3 pc set from Sears & love 'em.
I leaned on the long one pretty hard & it didn't even flex.
I always thought fixed head prybars were kinda useless
(always at the wrong angle)

 

[Ign]

Reviving this, I ordered the KD 82301 3pc set today from Advance Auto. Using $40 off $100 I got it for about $70, but had to throw a little more on the order for $75 and free shipping.

I know the KD is GW. I like the concept of these bars, hope I find them useful.

 

[toolslut6.0]

Get the 29 inch extendable gearwrench or matco. And maybe the 48 inch one too. Have them both and use the he'll out of them. I have the carlyle 33 inch indexing one but I have to warranty all the time Cuz the locking mechanism breaks when you get rough with it.

 

[toolmutt]

I have a 16" Gearwrench at home. I like it but am hesitant to really hunker down on it. Why? Because we have a 36" indexing pry bar at work made by Radialock Tool Co right here in Texas (long since out of business, I believe). It was "loaned" to us to try out. The locking mechanism on ours periodically slips far too easily. I know of some in neighboring departments that have not faired any better. One had the mechanism lock up on them and after a full day of trying to get it unstuck, they gave up. The other also has a completely stripped locking mechanism. I don't know if it is just a poor design from that manufacturer or if what we do is just too much for an indexing bar. However, it's good to hear all of y'all like yours so well. Maybe I'll get a couple more new ones and have the confidence to use them more.

 

[Ign]

These have been useful for sure. Also I've noted that they're often effective as seal pullers.

 

[Strouty]

I have this one, but mine is at least 7 or 8 years old. I love it though, it even has a slight bend to it, I just figure it adds character. I bought it when they first introduced them, my guess is they have figured out how to make them cheaper now. I will hate the day I have to warranty it, I have abused it so far with no stopping it.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015015H6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[RedneckWelder]

I didn't trust them at first

I thought "A prybar with moving parts is a disaster waiting to happen"

After some extensive time with a coworker's set on a particularly difficult job...I am rather impressed. I will still choose my big Mayhews if they work for the situation but I have no hesitation putting weight on the Gearwrench pry bars.

 

[mfrantz90]

Buy a snap on and then have no worries

 

[Strouty]

It looks similar, but I would say my older one is more robust. I like how mine extends and retracts better. I have a recessed push button, the new ones are kind of hokey looking.

 

[winlinmac]

How much did you get the three-piece for? Was it the same as this?

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-pc...sellerId=SEARS&prdNo=7&blockNo=7&blockType=G7

I've got the 3 pc set from Sears & love 'em.
I leaned on the long one pretty hard & it didn't even flex.
I always thought fixed head prybars were kinda useless
(always at the wrong angle)