Broken wrench

[matthew]

Broke a 10mm wrench once, just a cheap import. Was using the open end on a square bolt acting as a set screw on a pulley. I thought it was just the heavy layer of paint on the shaft needed to be broken loose, so I tapped on the wrench a couple of times with a 3lb crosspein hammer (I didn't hit it hard, but in hindsight a deadblow might have been a better choice - or if I could have found the right socket), and the end split just like in the picture, with the broken bit hanging by a bit of peeled chrome plating. Was just like kids having a loose tooth...

Used a few wrenches with open ends sprung apart, don't remember being at fault for any, though.


I like that story, nissan_crawler - what were you working on that needed the weight of that AC to crack loose???

 

[Builder302]

Wow, I'm surprised to read about multiple SO e-torx breakages. I know on smaller sizes, but still...

Maybe this means I need a backup set of e-torx wrenches, just in case?

All of mine were broken on Peterbilt door hinge bolts.

 

[toymn6366]

i have a long proto 3/8 x 7/16 box end laying in seat of my truck to exchange when dealer gets one that i broke on brake bleeder on 66 ford truck just broke on 3/8 side also snaped bleeder of too

 

[toolnut]

Usually the cheap wrenches just strip out or twist on me. I have never broke any SO, Craftsman, or S-K ones that I have.

 

[Big Bad Jon]

I broke a 7/8 snap on the other day. It was hooked to a larger wrench to gain leverage. The damn thing snapped on the box end! I took it to the truck, and Jerry just laughed, handed me a new one, and told me to buy a set of long patterns. I obliged.

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

after 8 years I have seen 1 or 2 snap on wrenches broken, I have seen a lot of 12mm that the 12point end was bent from ford drive shafts or rear end bolts. they are apparently really really tight.

Yup, that is the ONLY wrench that I ever mussed up, nothing else ever broke.

Adam

 

[nissan_crawler]

I like that story, nissan_crawler - what were you working on that needed the weight of that AC to crack loose???

IIRC, we were trying to get a nut off the drive pulley on our combine.

 

[mossyboy6]

Broke a 17mm with about 80ft lbs.

Pretty sad, but it was a HF pos.

Hey, that's alright, that's why I have two sets.

 

[1stwarrior95]

I broke this one the other day.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I broke this one the other day.

being used in the normal fashion? If so, that's a weird break. Looks like it was used as a cheater?

 

[1stwarrior95]

being used in the normal fashion? If so, that's a weird break. Looks like it was used as a cheater?

Hahahaha. Not really.
I'm not even sure where that wrench came from, but it's been layin around the shop for a couple years at least. I was bent like it was used as a cheater. I figured if it bent once it should straighten out...

Few good smacks with an 8lb sledge and I was gettin close. I was thinkin one more and it'd be close enough.... Needless to say it didn't make it.
But now I've got a stubby 1-1/2in box wrench!





I knew somebody would ask!

 

[nissan_crawler]

ah, cool. Makes sense that way. If it was done normally, I was going to say that would have to be a royal p.o.s. to break in that fashion.

 

[TireTracks]

I found a bunch of HF wrenches at school in metalshop that the open ends were spread out on.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

Don't people realize that the open end isn't made to break bolts???

 

[mossyboy6]

Don't people realize that the open end isn't made to break bolts???

Well in my case, I was just tightening a flex disc.

 

[logical]

Just earlier this week. 19mm Great Neck brand, normal use trying to break a ball joint nut loose on a rusty 1994 Toyota (I may have abused it in the past...pretty sure i have but was using normally when it broke). The set was one I think I've had over 20 years and just never got around to upgrading. It starts at 4mm and goes up to 22mm, a nice full set. I always knew they were marginal quality, 1980's Korean-made junk but they always got the job done so they stayed in the tool box.

I just ordered a set of Wright's that I found on Ebay and the Great Necks will be demoted from garage to basement duty.

 

[tonydanzah]

i had no idea the "great neck" brand was out for 20yrs

 

[logical]

i had no idea the "great neck" brand was out for 20yrs

I could be off a few years. I did say "think I've had over 20 years". I know I have a hand saw at least that old with the Great Neck name. I think it's actually a brand that goes way back to the 1920's...though that may have little to do with what it has evolved into.

 

[toolfreak]

I use a 1/2" impact to remove drain plugs in cast aluminum pan/steel plug setups.

Just watch out you dont spin the plug out to quick

That's how I do it since they get so tight and I have buzzed the plug out too fast before one night after the truck had ran all day. Let's just say I was glad it was almost time to go home but not the worst oil bath I have ever had.

 

[Alfajuj]

Nothing beats a slugging wrench. A slugging wrench with a big enough sledge can break things free that even air impact can't move. Using a hand wrench as a slugging wrench is NOT a good plan.

 

[egnorant]

7/16 Craftsman box end split on me many years ago. Keep it around as it still works great for adjusting the rocker arm torque on an Austin Healey! It works fine loosening and skips once the rockers are tight!

Bruce

 

[55stone]

I broke a snap on 10mm open end... It was only like a month or 2 old..