Breaker Bar -vs- Sliding T Bar

[amishman]

Can a Sliding T bar be used as a breaker bar. I see some that are very long like a breaker bar. 18" or so. If you slide the socket unit all the way to the end, is it OK to use as a breaker bar or no? Are the bars made different so they are not as strong? tj

 

[DaytonFan]

I would have to say a breaker bar is far better than a T bar, you will most likely bust you knuckles up with T bar.

 

[MAD]

What else would you use one for?

 

[DaytonFan]

LOL

 

[krusty the clown]

What else would you use one for?

as a tee handle of course.........

 

[MAD]

The last time I used my slide bar, It was to break loose a crank pulley bolt with the starter motor. The ability to adjust the handle length was great for that. I can't say I use them very often though.

 

[Merkava_4]

Sliding T-bars are nice for spinning bolts out if you have a lot of room. You slide it to the end to gain leverage for breaking the bolt loose and then you slide it to the middle and twirl the bar with your index finger. I'm thinking about getting one for spinning out head bolts on small engines.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

I've used a 3/4 T-bar for years as a breaker because it was all I had for a long time. I've bounced up and down, used cheaters, bounced up and down with cheaters, used a come-a-long, beat it with a hand sledge and one time chained it to a pickup to break bolts loose. It isn't too shiney anymore but it's still in service and nothing is bent (very far) from where it started out. Not sure the designers intended it to be used it that way but it's hard to believe they weren't aware that's exactly what would happen.

I don't recommend doing those things, of course.

~Steve

 

[Tool Pants]

I have 4 sliding T bars. 1/4", 3/8", and two in 1/2" drive. Never used them. Guess because I also have breaker bars.

I have never used my 1/4" and 3/8" breaker bars now that I think about it. I do use my 1/2" drive and I have 3 of them.

Sliding Ts are something from the olden days. Old tools kits had them. From the days when ratchets were expensive.

But one of these days I will use one for something.

 

[Diesel-Mech]

Sliding T bars are another one of those tools from the past that can have a purpose but in all reality have been replaced by more modern offerings. Heck I really only use my 1/2" and 3/4" breaker bars anymore and ratchets are even starting to take their place.

 

[Nikolai_V]

I have a set of Koken (what else) T-handle socket wrenches from my motorcycle racing days - used to be the go-to tools along with T handle long hex bits for quickly doing clutches (damn dry clutches) and changing cassete gearboxes.

Most bike mechanics I know have quite a range of them, but you don`t seem to see them in car workshops.

 

[eschoendorff]

A sliding T bar is like an adjustable breaker. Only way to know if it will work for your needs is to try it and see....

 

[Monte]

This one ! If you plan on putting a pipe on a breaker bar or hammer on it etc. i would rather get this because its forged from one piece and should be stronger.

 

[cruiser808]

Sliding T-bars are one of those tools that are handy to have when you need to put an even distribution of torque on a fastener to prevent distortion. Carb rebuilding comes to mind.

 

[Uncle Buck]

A sliding T can be very handy to use in some tapping applications. I take my T, then add a ratchet adapter, then an extension to suit, then the proper sized 8pt socket. Now add the tap size you need and you will find it a very handy rig indeed!

 

[Jbullfrog]

A sliding T can be very handy to use in some tapping applications. I take my T, then add a ratchet adapter, then an extension to suit, then the proper sized 8pt socket. Now add the tap size you need and you will find it a very handy rig indeed!

The Lisle tap sockets work even better. they have a retainer ring in them to hold the tap.

 

[Uncle Buck]

The Lisle tap sockets work even better. they have a retainer ring in them to hold the tap.

Yea I am sure they do, but I have used this setup so successfully through the years I just never saw the sense in spending money to replace something that works as well as this does!

For those that do not already have all the components to do this I am sure the Lisle thing would be the way to go.

 

[Elroy]

Sliding T-bars are one of those tools that are handy to have when you need to put an even distribution of torque on a fastener to prevent distortion. Carb rebuilding comes to mind.

Ah. It is refreshing to see that someone actually comprehends this concept.

And yes tapping and treading is an operation that requires the "pure torque" that is produced most easily with a slider. You know, like a TAP wrench.

 

[zuspiel]

A sliding T can be very handy to use in some tapping applications. I take my T, then add a ratchet adapter, then an extension to suit, then the proper sized 8pt socket. Now add the tap size you need and you will find it a very handy rig indeed!

 

[Fedwrench]

I think the sliding T bar is another example of the differences between tool use and availability between the USA and Europe. How many US tool makers offer a long sliding T bar in 3/8 or 1/2 drive? However look at some European made socket sets and you'll find sliding T bars instead of breaker bars is many of their sets. I have also seen some sliding T bars that could double as a long extension as they had a female square drive on one end and a male square drive on the opposite end.

 

[ImportTuner]

I bought my Craftsman 3/8" Sliding T Bar in 1968 .. I don't remember ever using it ..

 

[riley.m]

the sliding t-bar is almost always the shiniest tool in a working toolbox.

 

[Tool Pants]

Never thought of using it for a tap. I dusted off my sliding Ts and Lisle tap holders.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I think the sliding T bar is another example of the differences between tool use and availability between the USA and Europe. How many US tool makers offer a long sliding T bar in 3/8 or 1/2 drive? However look at some European made socket sets and you'll find sliding T bars instead of breaker bars is many of their sets. I have also seen some sliding T bars that could double as a long extension as they had a female square drive on one end and a male square drive on the opposite end.

Actually, I think most major USA tool players always offered T handles in most all the drive sizes.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Never thought of using it for a tap. I dusted off my sliding Ts and Lisle tap holders.

Stuff a ratchet adapter between the T handle and the socket and you will really enjoy the addition.

 

[Frank Elson]

I bent a few in the old days before breaker bars.
Then you cut them up and make punches out of them.There's a thread somewhere of mine showing a spinner I made with the drive part.

 

[Tool Pants]

Like this.

 

[cruiser808]

Like this.

I've done that.

 

[paramudduck]

Slide to one rend to break loose put in middle and spin. Done it that way for over 35 years. Never had a problem yet. Now those stupid pins in breaker bars. Those have failed on more the one occasion.

Of course I'm usually working on little stuff. Dozers, tractors little things like that.

 

[HipsterDoofus]

At the risk of resurrecting an old thread, I'll add my two cents. I use the T-handle quite a bit on motorcycles for removing valve head covers and exhaust headers. I also usually use them with an extension to remove spark plugs simply because I get a better feel for how the plug is coming out with it. And, yes, use it as a breaker bar all the time.

 

[Wakefield]

3/4" drive sliding T feels good for removing lug nuts-even with adapter and 1/2" drive extension and socket below the adapter
thicker and stronger than the 4 way!

 

[1950mercury]

I see alot of bent t handles

 

[toolaholic]

I used a little 5 inch 1/4 drive t handle to tighten kitchen table bolts yesterday. 1/2 inch nuts are inside table post.One nut holds stretcher to post. Other 2 hold legs to post. You could see a gap. Only 3 inche's of clearance between floor and nut. Using a 1/4 drive 1/2 inch deep socket and the t handle in middle position(2 1/2 inches leaving 1/2 inch between t handle and floor) I tightened everything. Even a stubby 1/2 was to long. No room to work. And I didn't want to turn table upside down to tighten everything. T handle in center position worked. FWIW it was a armstrong t handle. Gave my fingers a workout as 2 1/2 inches does not provide a lot of leverage.