Breaking tools - what have you broken lately?

[GDA]

In seeing several threads on what tools to get for a apprentice and others on breaking gearwrenches it made me think back on what have I broken in the past couple months. Not much actually and both were due to my misuse of the right tool for the job.

Curious to others sharing what they broke and if they had to REALLY disclose, why they believed it broke. I'm sure we all could learn some from others situations of using the wrong tool at the time/situation.

My list:

3/8 craftsman 3" chrome extension was being used on my 3/8 IR 2115 impact gun to break free front wheelbearing hub retaining bolts on my LR Discovery. First full trigger blast spread it like it was butter. Those bolts are torqued to around 70 lb ft.

1/4" matco chrome swivel universal broke at the female end while being used to remove 14mm front drivehshaft retaining locknuts on my LR. Those call for ~ 40lb ft of torque so obviously I was using 1/4 drive way beyond its intended specs

Thats all in the past 6 months. I guess holmberg is right in saying its the user of the tool and the proper use of the tool that makes them last.

 

[eschoendorff]

I broke a T-27 Snap On socket. Sheared the damn thing right in half working on a Stihl FS 110.

USed a Napa Pro to finish the job

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Two cheap screwdriver bits, trying to open the ticket machine in a car park. (i work there..)

Other than that, some rusty bolts, because the right tools for the job are too good for the job.

 

[rsanter]

several Cman wrenches and a couple sockets
also snapped the tip from several Cman screwdrivers

1/4 drive SO ratchet started to skip a bit after about 45 years of use by my father and I.
I joked with the SO guy about how diappointed I was that it failed so soon (as he was rebuilding the thing). he even upgraded it to a fine tooth for me

bob

 

[rsanter]

oh
and my daughter and a friend of hers killed a Cman jack lifting one another on it

they are 11 so I am reasonably sure they did not exceed the 3 ton rating

bob

 

[vjquan]

I've broken 1/2" to 3/8" adapters a couple of times. Also broke a pin on a 1/4" U-joint. No abuse, tools used properly. Also broke tip off of small 1/8" pocket screwdriver. Sears swapped them out promptly.

 

[CatfishXpress]

T-10 3/8" drive Stanley torx bit, twisted off while mounting a scope on a rifle. I was probably subjecting it to more torq than you normally would for that size but, I thought it twisted way before it should have. Called Stanley, they replaced it with a Proto that looks to be of better quality.

Regular Craftsman screwdriver, the screwdriver was brand new, first time it had ever touched a screw. I don't remember what it was on, (It was something inside the house, because I bought that for a kitchen drawer screwdirver) the tip snapped off with very little torq. It was definetly a bad tool and not my fault. Sears didn't have any open stock in the size that I was returning so they upgraded it to a Craftsman professional.

I have to hunt down the Snap on man, one of the new Snap On screwdrivers (still in original packaging) that I bought on e-bay has a bend in the blade, come out of the pack that way.

 

[CatfishXpress]

My wife burnt up a skil 3/8" drill one day while I was at work, I'm not sure what she was doing with it and I didn't ask. I suspect she was using it to mix paint with, (in a five gallon can), using a big auger type mixer that is made for a much heavier drill.

Before I got home she had already replaced it with a new Dewalt.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I have to hunt down the Snap on man, one of the new Snap On screwdrivers (still in original packaging) that I bought on e-bay has a bend in the blade, come out of the pack that way.

I have a brand new flat-tip Snap-on screwdriver, one side of the tip had been ground "pissed" as we'd say over here. Need to get a nice new indutrial tip for it. Orange/industrial would be good.

My wife burnt up a skil 3/8" drill one day while I was at work.

Before I got home she had already replaced it with a new Dewalt.

Now that's a good girl right there!

 

[jimvannoy]

oh
and my daughter and a friend of hers killed a Cman jack lifting one another on it

they are 11 so I am reasonably sure they did not exceed the 3 ton rating

bob

Sounds like my daughter and her friends. They also like to lift each other with the engine hoist.

I must be doing something right, or is it wrong? I have not broken anything lately. Last was a Mac screwdriver several months ago.

 

[speed bump]

a 13mm Craftsman 1/4" drive deep socket while using an adapter and 3/8" impact gun.

 

[ZRX61]

Something is amiss with my TP960 blasting cabinet... it won't pick up the media. Checked the gun end & everything there was fine, blew some air thru from the gun end & there isn't a blockage in the feed tube so now I'm a bit baffled....

 

[eschoendorff]

My wife burnt up a skil 3/8" drill one day while I was at work, I'm not sure what she was doing with it and I didn't ask. I suspect she was using it to mix paint with, (in a five gallon can), using a big auger type mixer that is made for a much heavier drill.

Before I got home she had already replaced it with a new Dewalt.

Moose beat me to it, but that woman's a keeper

 

[W-Cummins]

Something is amiss with my TP960 blasting cabinet... it won't pick up the media. Checked the gun end & everything there was fine, blew some air thru from the gun end & there isn't a blockage in the feed tube so now I'm a bit baffled....

An air/vacuum leak on the suction/feed side I bet...

William....

 

[QUIKSVT]

Broke my SK 1/2 breaker bar. Trying to loosen a lug nut on my brothers Expedition. The ford dealer was the last to do a rotation, them bastards. So I went and bought a Craftsman to finish the job.

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

I very rarely break tools. Mostly because I primarily work on race cars and whatnot that are taken apart frequently.

My list includes:

-Cheap chinese 1/2" impact
-Mastercraft 3/8" flex ratchet...was leaning on it a bit and the mechanism went
-Snap-On 1/4" Dr. 3mm long hex socket. Twisted the hell out of it so I put it in a vise to break it (for warranty purposes )

I broke a cheap-*** "multiwrench" way back in the day too, it was one of my first tools...I was about 12 at the time. Got a nice burn from that one, it's still on my wrist.

 

[T56 Impala]

Good thread!

Today..... broke a 7/16 Craftsman reversible ratcheting wrench. What broke it? It simply fell apart in my hand! (I was putting together a new smoker) It's replacement appears and feels MUCH more robust.

You aren't counting power tools are you? That would take weeks to type out!

Several Snap On 1/2 inch, 3/8 drive sockets and Craftsman sockets of various sizes. All were broken due to user error. All should have NOT been used in place of a proper impact socket.

2 Craftsman 3/8 drive ratchets. Again, user error. I should have been using 1/2 drive tools.

Do screwdrivers count? I have a whole drawer full of broken and damaged ones! Mostly Philips head.

 

[paramudduck]

In the past week? One 10mm Mac socket, two 10mm Snap On sockets. All three broken on the same bane of my existance. The fan shrould for a S10 Blazer. 1994 model.
I was using a FV71 ratchet so I don't think I was putting too much torque on them.

Lost three teeth on a F713. Quick disconnect style. Luckily I had a rebuild kit I'd gotten in a lot of odds and ends I'd bought.

Dad managed to mess up one Lisle T40 and two T45's. Still have no ideal what he was using them on.

I won't even go into the screwdrivers the monkeys have messed up.

 

[billymade]

duck, those Lisle's are Lifetime warranty, you can send them in for replacements; my brother sent in one of their battery post cleaners he broke and they send him out a new one!

Lisle Corporation
807 E. Main Street
P.O. Box 89
Clarinda, IA 51632-0089
Phone: (712) 542-5101
Fax: (712) 542-6591
[email protected]

 

[chad s]

None, My tools are made by these guys

<---



Haha, I know that will get some guys going. In all honesty I try to use the right sized tool for the job to protect the tool, the car, and myself, so I havnt broken anything for a long time. Plus, currently Im doing mostly body work and sheet metal work right now, so tools for that work have much less chance of breaking, but as far as breaking a ratchet, I havnt broken one for at least 3 years. I did twist the ball end of a Snap-on 1/8" hex socket driver about 8 months ago, they dont do well under high torque!

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Dad managed to mess up one Lisle T40 and two T45's. Still have no ideal what he was using them on.

Spindles on a Peugeot torsion-beam axle, maybe?

I lent my friend my toolbox to get another axle from a breakers' yard for his car. He broke 3 of my T45 torx bit sockets. He then ran out of them and brought the whole axle for me to remove the spindles.

I ended up putting the whole axle in for him.

 

[paramudduck]

Thanks Billymade! I'd lost that address, I'll email them and send them out this week. The Mac is already on it's way to Columbus.

The Snap Ons are at a buddies garage waiting to see if the Snap On guy is still running the route. He hasn't shown up twice in a row.

MLT I've done that trick before. Figured if I couldn't get them loose did not have to worry about them coming out.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I thought it was all good too, But it turned out that the drum packing plates were different, so i had to swap them over anyway. Bit of "canned heat" and patience got the out in no time.

 

[paramudduck]

Bummers, I was luck when I did it direct swap. Pure blind chance.

 

[Elroy]

Elroy broke this 1/4" extension a few weeks ago working on a friends '65 Buick. Pissed me off because this extension is basically irreplaceable and actually worth MORE than the Buick.

[/IMG]
Well not really. The Buick is nice and worth a fair piece of change.

 

[paramudduck]

Naughty you slipped into the singular instead of the plural again.

How did you mange to do that one? I've busted the other end many times but never that end.

 

[billymade]

Do you consider SK to be collectable or are they of sentimental value? I have some old SK stuff and a green case with a sk logo if you like them!!!

 

[DavidtheDuke]

Matco 1/2" to 3/8" male swivel adaptor CUP2BBC. Broke on the male end before my MG725 could even warm up

 

[Elroy]

are they of sentimental value?

It's an original from Dad's set. I'm a lucky boy to still have the original 1923 owner. He's tougher than the tools !!

Could feel it giving and just kept on pushing it. I kick Elroy for that bone head move. Should have used the Craftsman next to it. **** **** move for sure.

 

[Vicegrip]

Do you consider SK to be collectable or are they of sentimental value? I have some old SK stuff and a green case with a sk logo if you like them!!!

Vicegrip thinks Elroy was being sarcastic...

 

[eschoendorff]

Vicegrip thinks Elroy was being sarcastic...

Nope. Re-read post #29.... you know, the ****-**** one

 

[CatfishXpress]

Elroy, you are the man

With your permission I would like to add "**** **** move" to my vocabulary.

I've never heard that one before so I thought I'd better check with you before using it, incase you have a copyright on it or something. I wouldn't want to cause any trouble.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Dodgy live axle suspension setup? Almost-but-not-quite 4-links?

 

[Vinko]

I broke an older Blue Point impact gun. Took it to Snap On guy to have it repaired. First
time I'd been on the truck in probably 10 years. It was a good feeling, and luckily, I didn't buy anyhting, but I caught the bug again, and hence, the reason why I found this site via google.


I keep thinking I want a Snap On box and more tools!

 

[ImportTuner]

I broke an older Blue Point impact gun. Took it to Snap On guy to have it repaired. First
time I'd been on the truck in probably 10 years. It was a good feeling, and luckily, I didn't buy anyhting, but I caught the bug again, and hence, the reason why I found this site via google.


I keep thinking I want a Snap On box and more tools!

You do .... you really do need a Snap On box ....

 

[caspian65]

Basically, most of what I break these days are screwdriver tips. Did buy a 1/4" socket set that had a busted universal swivel.

 

[GDA]

Based on all the posts so far it seems logical to go for high quality/very durable screwdrivers and torx drivers. Several posts imply that if you can use 3/8 drive size on 10 to 15mm (rusted?) stuff it might have not resulted in a broken socket.

I know I will reach for 3/8 on that size stuff first from now on.

 

[Mike83]

I blew up a 1/4" drive universal socket (13mm) on a hub to steering knuckle bolt. Ended up using a 3/8" drive wobble extension as I should have in the first place.

 

[Vinko]

You do .... you really do need a Snap On box ....

I'm looking

 

[JB740i]

Stripped the gears inside my Proto Big-dawg. Apparently you shouldn't hit it with a sledge trying to remove bolts...