Breaker Bar buying option

[jack1971]

I need to buy a 1/2" breaker bar. Now a days Craftsman are mostly China made and they have 18" max. I also looked in Autozone store (Duralast Brand) 24" . both of them are within close price range. Can anyone with experience of using those tools tell me which one should be a better buy as of quality? I don't want to spend a lot but a decent quality for the money. And by the way this is not for shop use, mostly saturday mechanic use.
Thanks.

 

[zkling]

The harbor freight 25" is a very good bang for the buck.

 

[abvw]

Depends on how much room you have to swing. A 24" breaker bar will not be very useful underneath the fender... With the car on jackstands. You can always lengthen the breaker bar with more cheater pipes but you won't be able to shorten it.

The handles can usually take the abuse, just gotta watch out for the weakest link which is usually the hinge, either they spread, break off or the drive end shearing off. Haven't seen a snapped handle yet.

 

[Jswain]

Depends on how much room you have to swing. A 24" breaker bar will not be very useful underneath the fender... With the car on jackstands. You can always lengthen the breaker bar with more cheater pipes but you won't be able to shorten it.

The handles can usually take the abuse, just gotta watch out for the weakest link which is usually the hinge, either they spread, break off or the drive end shearing off. Haven't seen a snapped handle yet.

I think anything under 24" you could probably justify using a 1/2" ratchet, or a wrench on...ideally one would have a breaker bar in all sizes imaginable but to only carry 1, a 24" is a solid option.

 

[BajaBound]

I keep an 18 and a 24" breaker bar. HF is a great bar.

 

[jim1987]

The harbor freight 25" is a very good bang for the buck.

^^this. $9.99. Very good bar. I lost mine somehow and replaced it asap.

 

[carterbeauford]

http://www.trident-supply.com/GearWrench_1_2_Drive_Full_Polish_Flex_Handle_24_p/329-81308d.htm

 

[DTB]

If you have an Advance Auto Parts store, run over there and get the GearWrench 24" breaker bar. I've had one for 3 years or so now, no complaints.

 

[bczygan]

Without a doubt...HF!

Get all sizes.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Honestly get the harbor freight. If heat and my half inch ratchet or impact won't break something loose its stuck. If its stuck its getting a cheater on the breaker. I beat my breaker bars up so it doesn't make sense to get the tool polisher edition.

 

[diggerrick]

http://www.trident-supply.com/GearWrench_1_2_Drive_Full_Polish_Flex_Handle_24_p/329-81308d.htm

I like this style a lot better

then the famous 25" HF style.

I have at least two of each style, including the 25" HF bar. I've abused the snot out of the HF bar - it twists like crazy, but it hasn't broken...yet. I don't have much confidence in it though. Look how thin it is right at the knuckle. I much prefer the Gearwrench/Craftsman style.

Sorry for the big pic's.

Edit: for a HF bar, I like this 3/4" bar I bought on sale less than $15 that i use with an adapter: http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-quarter-inch-drive-20-inch-quick-release-breaker-bar-98270.html#.Uxh_7_ldXh0

 

[jdmstr]

The harbor freight 25" is a very good bang for the buck.

+1 i have the HF 25" and abuse it on the regular. You can also check out armstrong breaker bars they are reasonably priced. Or you can get a gearwrench breaker bar off advance and use TRT30 for another 30% off would probly be the most cost effective option.

 

[sberry]

I had a guy break a HF bar with a cheater pipe. I have 2 or 3 of them, there is probably better but for the cost they are hard to beat. It isn't something I would be inclined to drop really hi dollar on these days, the clones work so well.

 

[u118224]

Zoro has a 24" Proto USA for $32.93, I just got one.

 

[Wakefield]

The 24" Duralast bars got good press around here a couple years ago but seems that you had to make sure it was Taiwan and not China.
Epstein's store might have a short little (still 1/2" drive) Williams that is 15" and black not chrome.

 

[zkling]

I had a guy break a HF bar with a cheater pipe. I have 2 or 3 of them, there is probably better but for the cost they are hard to beat. It isn't something I would be inclined to drop really hi dollar on these days, the clones work so well.

sberry, out of curiosity where did it break?

 

[sberry]

It was on the head. He put a 6 ft pipe on it, come back, said he was about to invent some convoluted thing, I asked why not use 3/4 air gun???

 

[jack1971]

The duralast one is made in Taiwan but its is HF type head as stated by "diggerrick". Also as he said there are some degree of play in the joint. Not sure if this types are subject to expand or break more often than the other type(CM or GeerWrench type). Though CM's are now a days made in China mostly but not sure how bad they are in quality wise. I don't have a HF shop near by so if I include the shipping its almost same as CM and Duralast. So I was inclined to get one of those as I can physically go and pick up. I am not against HF but this is easiest. If I buy a lot of tools then may be HF would be a better option to save on shipping as bulk.

 

[Deskmechanic]

I got one of the HF ones on the recommendation of this forum mostly. For $8.99 with a coupon even if it breaks on the first use I got my $$ out of it!

Works great. But man that sucker is springy! With a good hard pull on it don't be surprised if it bends like a banana. It returns to the original shape (so far), but it's like tugging on a leaf spring.

I have an 18 inch proto and it's heavy and round, can't imagine how big the 24 is.

 

[sberry]

Sure, ease of shopping is a significant factor. I got nothing against the others and some of them are priced reasonable.

 

[DSM21]

I need to buy a 1/2" breaker bar. Now a days Craftsman are mostly China made and they have 18" max. I also looked in Autozone store (Duralast Brand) 24" . both of them are within close price range. Can anyone with experience of using those tools tell me which one should be a better buy as of quality? I don't want to spend a lot but a decent quality for the money. And by the way this is not for shop use, mostly saturday mechanic use.
Thanks.

If you want a USA craftsman have one shipped by the outlet store.
I have the USA 18" Craftsman and the HF 26" "Man-Killer" Breaker Bars.
I at first only had the HF breaker bar, but when you have a limited amount of space I find the HF bar has to much give at the head. I actually ended up using my Grandpa's 18" USA Craftsman and it did the job, where the HF breaker bar failed thats when I got myself a USA craftsman breaker bar this past holiday.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I've got all SO breaker bars in my toolbox, and keep a HF breaker bar in each car....

 

[RRmech]

Sometimes you can find a jewel among the rocks on flea-bay?

A 1/2" drive, 17" Wardsmaster breaker bar didn't cost me much.
A bargain, especially since it was manufactured by Wright Tools.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

The one with the black head is a dura last. The one next to it is HF. The small one is snap on. I had a 24" snap on I bent. Warrantied it and sold it. Don't waste money on expensive breaker bars. They will all snap the head off or bend at some point. I prefer the HF. I don't use the snap on unless I need a shorty. These things get abused and napa and HF will give you new ones. Typically I use a pipe on them because my mg725 couldn't break the bolt loose. These things are meant to be abused and not polished. All I have is 1/2".

 

[Farmall450]

^^this. $9.99. Very good bar. I lost mine somehow and replaced it asap.

Might have to look into it, but I do have a Snappy already

I like Cman too, I doubt Sears moves to many so plenty of US stock to be found I bet.

 

[sqaurelizard]

started using a 3/4 t handle with cheater pipes as ive gone through to many breaker bars. Was getting a little embarrassed returning broken 1/2 breakers to my local parts store

 

[cagullett1]

Might have to look into it, but I do have a Snappy already

I like Cman too, I doubt Sears moves to many so plenty of US stock to be found I bet.

No stores in the Dallas area have had any USA Cman for months. I found 1 store that had 2 in stock hanging on zip ties in the wrong spot without any packaging.

 

[getahammer]

If you have any sears outlet stores close by, they may have the U.S made 18" 1/2" for 16.00. The ones by me had a bunch. I have Wrights and HF. HF 3/4" is a stout, well made tool.

 

[KEH]

The best 1/2 inch breaker bar is a 3/4 inch with an adaptor on it.

KEH

 

[basspro]

Up until about a month ago, I would bash the HF 24" bar, now that I have one I take back anything bad I may have said. Actually, mine is the "Pro-Grade" version with the black oxide head but pretty similar. Ive given mine some beef and it takes it. I also keep a 15" Proto, which I also use alot. I have used a 24" Snap-On, 24" Proto, many different Craftsmans, a couple SK's. They all get the job done. The only problem with the HF style is that the head is kind of big, so it wont fit in as tight of a space as the Proto/Snap-On style.

 

[May Pop]

24" Proto from Zoro

 

[92integra]

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200442190_200442190

for a big guy i like this bad boy price is good and warranty from northern tool no questions asked, didnt even have to send the old one back.... 8ft cheeter bar will break these but bang for buck and no warranty worries

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Apparently, I have a different mentality than most replying in this thread! For something that I'm putting extreme force on, I don't trust Asian products. When a breaker bar breaks, you stand a very good chance of getting hurt or damaging whatever it is that you are working on. From my experience, it's pretty safe to bet that the best *********** steel is not up to par with the worst American steel. You can buy an American made 18" breaker bar for under $20 on ebay, so why risk your *** on a HF?

My personal breaker bars:

Craftsman USA 18"- Solid as hell. Not pretty, but it does it's job well.

Wright double ended 18" locking breaker bar- Solid as hell and has the nicest chrome of any tool that I own, including Snappy.

Wright 22" - Solid as hell. I would put a 10' cheater on it and not be scared.

Blackhawk 22"- Solid as hell. I would put a 10' cheater on it and not be scared.

Duralast 18" - This is the one with the knurled handle. It flexes like crazy and I don't have very much confidence in it. I bought it when my truck lost it's belt tensioner on the side of the highway. I wouldn't have bought it if I wasn't in a pinch. I think it was made in China (could be Taiwan).

HF 18"- Not mine, it was my buddy's. I snapped the head off of it with minimal effort. Hurt my shoulder when it went. I threw the fucker in the trash and refused to buy him another one as I'm a good friend.

 

[dankicksass]

HF 18"- Not mine, it was my buddy's. I snapped the head off of it with minimal effort. Hurt my shoulder when it went. I threw the fucker in the trash and refused to buy him another one as I'm a good friend.

Good man.

I have Snap-On, Williams, Mac, Stanley, Husky USA, and Craftsman USA breaker bars in various sizes. I'd trust any of them except the Craftsman to last my lifetime. I've heard the I-beam Craftsman bars don't last.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I need to buy a 1/2" breaker bar. Now a days Craftsman are mostly China made and they have 18" max. I also looked in Autozone store (Duralast Brand) 24" . both of them are within close price range. Can anyone with experience of using those tools tell me which one should be a better buy as of quality? I don't want to spend a lot but a decent quality for the money. And by the way this is not for shop use, mostly saturday mechanic use.
Thanks.

I have a duralast and a harbor freight in 1/2". Prefer the duralast but it's almost 2x more expensive. Harbor freight is probably enough for your needs if you don't use a cheater. Get a taiwanese one if possible.

The duralast isn't a rebrand of the hf one (at least the one I have). I don't regret purchasing it, use it all the time.

 

[lightning02]

my USA cman 18in long 1/2 drive has never let me down in 10 years.

i have a kobalt Taiwan made 12in long 3/8 drive for couple months. been good so far. looks like the GW pic posted.

 

[toolaholic]

I have a nos circa mid 90s proto 18", a real old (70s) craftsman 15" , a proto 12" sliding t handle, a HF 18"and a gearwrench 24". All 1/2 drive. Also have a 3/8 10" USA kobalt and a 3/8 HF. 18". My favorite is the proto 18 1/2 drive. The HF 3/8 18" comes in handy to move belt tensioner(3/8 square on tensioner) on 3.1 v6 chevy lumina.

 

[MattPersman]

If you just want a breaker bar to say you have one and are doing stuff you could do with a good ratchet get the HF. It is far too springy like others have said. The old ones broke they got some other place to make them and now they don't break but they flex like a torque stick not sure what they will max out at but I had a long *** pipe on the end and the weight of a jeep lowered on it and it just flexed didn't break. Broke out an old craftsman 3/4 ratchet and put a pipe on it and it got the job done.

I like the looks of the proto or the gearwrench although I would pick the proto first but the GW may be able to be picked up locally for a discount at advance auto parts. Obviously a snap on is top choice for me. The Matco bars the drive breaks on them about every 3 uses above 150 ft lbs junk mine and the guy who works next to me does this time and time again it's ridiculous. I have a Mac USA one and it's been good as well but snap on is my first grab if I need to use one

 

[Scout Driver]

Like others that posted earlier, I've had good luck with a Harbor Freight breaker bar.

Scott

 

[bcradio]

Apparently, I have a different mentality than most replying in this thread! For something that I'm putting extreme force on, I don't trust Asian products. When a breaker bar breaks, you stand a very good chance of getting hurt or damaging whatever it is that you are working on. From my experience, it's pretty safe to bet that the best *********** steel is not up to par with the worst American steel. You can buy an American made 18" breaker bar for under $20 on ebay, so why risk your *** on a HF?

Apparently so! I prefer to look at the quality of each individual product rather than just blatantly where it is made. LOTS of excellent tools and other items are made outside the US whether you want to believe so or not.

The 24" HF bar has stood up to the challenge many have placed on it (myself included). Is it the best bar out there? I doubt it, but it isn't trying for that title since its asking price is regularly sub 10 dollars. If you find you need more, then upgrade to one of those mammoth 40" 3/4 drive bars... they're on my list