Breaker bar?

[yfz 450]

I want to get a 1/2 breaker bar but don't want to spend a ton. Am I just asking to break my hand by buying a harbor freight one or are they decent?

 

[d.mcfarland]

Searching shows the are a great value.

 

[RedneckWelder]

How long do you want it?

 

[monomach]

Yes, they're decent. They're damned near indestructible.

 

[yfz 450]

I want a 24" or around that I guess 18" being the absolute smallest. I have a Matco 24" ratchet but after the recent thread about the broken 3/8 ratchet with the long handle I think I should get a long 1/2" breaker bar. I was using that ratchet as a breaker bar but I don't want to break it.

 

[Tronyadorable]

Buy a cheap(ish) 3/4 breaker bar, a good(impact type) 3/4 to 1/2 short adapter and......life goes on.

 

[yfz 450]

I guess that would be a good idea

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

You can get a 24" Proto for $35, so to me it doesn't make sense to buy a harbor freight.

 

[yfz 450]

Where can I find that

 

[kctyphoon]

Just got onto the HF website and read the reviews.. Even professionals have recommended them on their tool box tours posted on YouTube. Not like it's a giant feat in engineering...

 

[tbaggz]

The chinese hf bar is springier than the Taiwanese one.I.e it flexes a lot more.

 

[toolslut6.0]

I want a 24" or around that I guess 18" being the absolute smallest. I have a Matco 24" ratchet but after the recent thread about the broken 3/8 ratchet with the long handle I think I should get a long 1/2" breaker bar. I was using that ratchet as a breaker bar but I don't want to break it.

Why would you be scared of breaking a ratchet that you paid good money for to have good quality and lifetime low hassle warranty? Just a question. I have a mac long handle ratchet fine tooth that I warranty out about once every month or so. Way more convenient than a breaker bar.

 

[G_P]

Ive used the HF breaker bar for a while and its a damn good value for the price.

 

[bad_idea]

Where can I find that 24" breaker bar from Proto? I want one, maybe two. Hell, might get a dozen.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Where can I find that 24" breaker bar from Proto? I want one, maybe two. Hell, might get a dozen.

1/2" X 25" Breaker Bar Proto Type Handle Chrome Plated Drop Forged Steel - Amazon - $21.17 + $7.77 shipping

 

[BK13]

Where can I find that 24" breaker bar from Proto? I want one, maybe two. Hell, might get a dozen.

http://www.zoro.com/i/G2607875/?utm...N-KyCAyFYFTfwjkiq78Te4_WlSdkWlmhvtxoCXL3w_wcB

 

[OutsideMachinist]

Where can I find that 24" breaker bar from Proto? I want one, maybe two. Hell, might get a dozen.

http://www.zoro.com/g/00121746/k-%3AJ5469/

http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-J5469-2-Inch-Handle-24-Inch/dp/B001HW8778

 

[Wakefield]

Any testimonials for the newer S*K breaker bars? I think the older pin style ones with plenty of metal below the ears had a good reputation,the newer ones have the axle bolt but less metal behind the ears (tapers down to handle diameter in less distance)

might check Farmall 450's thread on the harbor freight bar
www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=258973 if I got it right

 

[erty67]

1/2" X 25" Breaker Bar Proto Type Handle Chrome Plated Drop Forged Steel - Amazon - $21.17 + $7.77 shipping

That's not Proto. It's ATE.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I want to get a 1/2 breaker bar but don't want to spend a ton. Am I just asking to break my hand by buying a harbor freight one or are they decent?

I think the duralast one (taiwan) is better than the pittsburgh one. If you buy the pittsburgh one buy the taiwanese coo one if available. 1/2" won't matter a whole lot between china and taiwan except at higher torque (I'd assume).

There are probably a lot of good 1/2" breakers floating around (import or old stock us) just matters how quick you want it. If you want it for drivetrain just buy the duralast one if it's still taiwan; great bar. Double the price though (20s).

That proto might not be a bad deal either but the picture is wrong (unless the description is wrong).

 

[79loserbluebu]

Just do yourself a favor and get the HF one. I used one for the longest time at work frequently with no issues. Any bar will give you some flex if something is that tight that the bar is flexing though, you should probably heat it up.

On that note, I don't use one at work anymore because I got a free one with the purchase of some 1/2 turbo sockets from MAC. I also bought a 36" long, locking swivel 1/2" ratchet from Matco and that is all I use now, it's a beast and well worth the money

 

[SuburbanRuss]

The HF ones are great. I use them all the time the break bree longest and axle nuts. I have only broken one and I was putting it through abuse waaaayyyy out of its range.... Like 6ft pipe on the end abuse hahaha HF still replaced it for me.... Its one of the only HF tools that own that i honestly like everything about it

 

[SASORacing]

I prefer a long 1/2 locking flex personally. It is so versitaile, and perfect for lug nuts and larger bolts. It is long enough that a cheater pipe is rarley neccessary. I dont like breaker bars because they dont ratchet, and take a lot of time.

 

[monomach]

1/2" X 25" Breaker Bar Proto Type Handle Chrome Plated Drop Forged Steel - Amazon - $21.17 + $7.77 shipping

Not Proto. "Proto type handle." AKA a knockoff with a handle that the seller says looks like a Proto to fool people into buying it.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

ToolUp has the 24" ProTo

Wright and SK are also good.. check eBay

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Not Proto. "Proto type handle." AKA a knockoff with a handle that the seller says looks like a Proto to fool people into buying it.

That type of a sale post that relates to a competitors product, or leads someone to think they may be getting that competitors product is a sad way to do business... I steer away from those ads myself...

Torches from ChTaIwandia advertised as "Victor style" are often posted in the same manner....

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

My Proto 24" came from Zoro, I think the picture is of the shorter bar. I have a Duralast that looks like the Proto and it's a piece of flexy ****. I bought it to change a belt tensioner on the side of the road. I've also broken a HF bar, so I decided that I had wasted $35 on **** tools up to date, so I should probably buy a quality tool and be done with it.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

The HF ones are great. I use them all the time the break bree longest and axle nuts. I have only broken one and I was putting it through abuse waaaayyyy out of its range.... Like 6ft pipe on the end abuse hahaha HF still replaced it for me.... Its one of the only HF tools that own that i honestly like everything about it

I am not Superman,, but my 24" HF 1/2 "breaker bar broke on a steady pull while being used as intended..... Sure, I got a new one under warranty; but I had a new 24" ProTo in my toolbox before bothering to chase to Harbor Freight to get the warranty replacement.... I have 3/4" and 1" drives for the heavy pulls..; So it is evident that I wouldn't be stressing a 1/2" breaker bar for any reason....

Chances are that I got a bad one and You got a good one... The HF breaker bars sure appear to be robust.... **** happens

 

[wild cowboy]

I am not Superman

you need my 40" Persuador - then you will be Superman
(hope you bought the big monitor! - lol)

 

[zkling]

For the money they are great, I keep one in my trunk. It has been extremely useful and provided many a laughs.

 

[straightcut]

Older U.S. made breaker bars are pretty inexpensive and I've never broken one. I was spoiled by my dad's older 18" S-K breaker bar that was very stout. Recently, I turned it over to my brother, then replaced it with two Plomb pebble finish breaker bars 15"(?) and an 18" and a much longer Snap On (24-26"?). I've appreciated the ability to step up to the extra long SO, when it's really needed, but have the convenience of a shorter breaker for "normal" tight fasteners.

I broke an asian no name breaker bar years ago when a friend and I were both pulling on it - we both went flying! I hope that never happens again.

 

[TonyCH]

My S-O 1/2" 24" bar vs. 3/4" 40" bar from our local HF-type of a store. The big one doesn't bend much in normal automotive work

 

[CNGsaves]

Why would you be scared of breaking a ratchet that you paid good money for to have good quality and lifetime low hassle warranty? Just a question. I have a mac long handle ratchet fine tooth that I warranty out about once every month or so. Way more convenient than a breaker bar.

^ ^ I claim BS.
Post up PICS of the 10 or 11 Mac ratchets you've destroyed this year 2014 . . . and . . .
your Mac rep just keeps blindly replacing under warranty.
Don't believe it.

 

[jd_1138]

The HF ones are cheap and good. Buy some for your trunk too with a 19mm socket for your lug nuts. Way, way easier to break lugnuts with a 24" breaker bar than to use the crummy factory-provided tire tool.

 

[Dust Devil]

^ ^ I claim BS.
Post up PICS of the 10 or 11 Mac ratchets you've destroyed this year 2014 . . . and . . .
your Mac rep just keeps blindly replacing under warranty.
Don't believe it.

Full of **** or needs to learn how to use his tools.

Something is wrong if you break that many ratchets.

 

[quattroJoe]

My Proto 24" came from Zoro, I think the picture is of the shorter bar. I have a Duralast that looks like the Proto and it's a piece of flexy ****. I bought it to change a belt tensioner on the side of the road. I've also broken a HF bar, so I decided that I had wasted $35 on **** tools up to date, so I should probably buy a quality tool and be done with it.

I had the same experience with the 24" Duralast bar. Not sure if it's the same one you're talking about, mine has a rubber grip on the end, looks kinda like a golf club grip. Paid $25-30 for it, needed it in a pinch, but it flexed so much just breaking loose lug nuts that I haven't touched it since. Really thought it was gonna snap!

On the other hand, I've got an 18" Ampro from Advance Auto with about 10 years of use on it that has been great! No flex, no problems with the swivel pin, beat to hell and no rust on it. As for the 24," I sprung for a Wright replacement. Cost about double what I paid for the Duralast, but it's beefy and very quality!

 

[RM209]

If you've got the time and interest, you can regularly find U.S. made 1/2" breaker bars at estate sales and C-L in good condition at very good prices. I bought an Indestro in good condition for $2, and a Proto in even better condition for $2.

RM209

 

[BK13]

you need my 40" Persuador - then you will be Superman
(hope you bought the big monitor! - lol)

Holy pic resize, Batman!

You jokers who post ridiculously large photos should be forced to try and read threads like this on an iPad...

/tantrum

Just kidding. But resize your pics smaller next time,please!

 

[JBradley500]

The head size on those harbor freight breaker bars is pretty big. If you're just going to use it to break lug nuts loose that's one thing, but if you actually need to loosen a nut or bolt in confined quarters you might be out of luck. Certain front wheel bearing assemblies come to mind, where you need 1/2" drive to bust the bolts loose but a breaker bar with a big head wouldn't fit.

 

[owenst7]

I bought that proto bar from zoro. Not impressed with the quality. The holes in the handle for the hinge are egg shaped. The pin moves under load. The tool works fine and I'm not concerned about function, but that is sloppy craftsmanship and I expect more from Proto. I'd have been happy to pay more for it, had it turned out to be the quality I expect from them.