good breaker bar

[1loudsuv]

looking to get a good 1/2" breaker bar but I dunno if a regular craftsman one would cut it or if I should just get a snap on one? I have tried looking for prices for a new one on the snap on website but cant seem to find it

"dont work at a shop so I dont have the regular snap on guy come by to even show me the so bar "

It will be used often though.

 

[oldtools]

Don't get the CM. It ****. They make the lowest quality breker bar.

 

[Danglerb]

I use a 25" from Harbor Freight that cost about $12.

 

[-B-]

looking to get a good 1/2" breaker bar but I dunno if a regular craftsman one would cut it or if I should just get a snap on one? I have tried looking for prices for a new one on the snap on website but cant seem to find it

"dont work at a shop so I dont have the regular snap on guy come by to even show me the so bar "

It will be used often though.

How much are you going to use it ?

buy
CM for a cheap trust worthy tool that will get you buy
buy
S&K, Proto, Cornwell for bargain pro tool with differing grip options, for daily pro use
buy
SO or Mac for the ease of length options and pro daily use


My work box has 3/8 SO long and a 1/2 S&K the SO gets used almost daily 6-20 time a day the S&K get used rarely and has the knurled handle so i can put a cheater bar on it.

I have a S&K 1/2 in the truck with the rubber handle it gets used more frequently than my work bar.

 

[volvo420coupe]

my MIT 1/2" breaker bar has snapped off several 5/8" u-bolts on 3/4 and 1 ton trucks, well worth the 12 bucks I paid years ago, they cost $18-20 now. Still well worth your money.

 

[oldtools]

I have the HF 25" (1/2) breaker too. I use it the most out of all my breaker bars. I have HF, CM, Williams, SK, Proto, Plomb, Armstrong, and SO breaker bars.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Don't get the CM. It ****. They make the lowest quality breker bar.

What in particular is so bad about them? I've got the 1/2" and 3/8" version and haven't had any issues yet. Serious question, because if there's a known weakness I'd rather know before it lets go while I'm reefing on something.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

I have an old (-V- series) 15" CMan BB that I bought new over 30 years ago. I don't use it often but I have wailed on it mercilessly at times and it has held up to the cheaters and jumping up and down on it. In the last few years I have aquired a SO 18" and SO 24" BB's so the CMan is rarely used these days but it has held up well for me. I don't know if the present offerings are as good but I'd buy one based on my experience with this one.

All the ones mentioned so far are good but it depends on what you are using it for and how you will be using it.

If you can get a used one so much the better.

 

[A_Pmech]

My favorite breaker bar is a cheap Chinese "Great Neck" brand. Used with about 4' of 4130 tubing, I have yet to lose a fastener war with it. I've used it every day for oh, about 18 years.

I think it was about $9 at the time.

 

[billymade]

The Craftsman break; I went through 3 of them and finally got a 24" Snapon.... they are bulletproof! Get a 24" Snapon and you will be set! You will never regret it; one of the things Snapon makes that really shines!
http://shop.ebay.com/items/__snap-o...veQ5fToolsQQ_fscrZ1QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em19

 

[Hip2u77]

I snapped the nut off a 2" trailer ball (with a 1" shank) using the 25" HF one. I'll admit it was flexing quite a bit, but it stayed together.

 

[Autoguy]

Protomakes excellent ones at good prices.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I like the MAC ones. I went through 3 craftsman and 2 snap-on, on the same bolts (never got one out). I got the MAC bar and all 4 came loose. i was quite impressed. Yes, I was using a cheater.

 

[walrus]

I have an old (-V- series) 15" CMan BB that I bought new over 30 years ago. .

I have one of these also, about the same age, maybe alittle older. Have had plenty of cheaters on it and haven't broken it yet

 

[jerryW]

I have given up on craftsman breakers after beaking 2 of them in the 1/2 inch size.


jerry

 

[RRmech]

I have an old 18" Craftsman -V- series breaker bar that will still be around after we're extinct!?

Steve

 

[sberry]

I have a couple MIT ones at flea mkt, very nice for 12$, long handles. One of my guys did break one but did it on something he should have been using 3/4 on.

 

[Mike83]

Craftsman only goes up to 18 inch I think in 1/2" dr. Snap-on goes to 24" which I like. I have 18" and 24" in Snap-on.

 

[chappys4life]

I have a hf one and love them. Normally in my cars I keep one with a socket that fits the lug nuts. Great thing to have and cheap so if you loose them its not a big deal. Also I have never broke one. I am not a full time mechanic but always have great luck,

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I have a 24 in Matco, it good....
But I wish I had bought snap on, they have bolt on the head, while matco has pin.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

At the shop, we have an old 18" Craftsman, that is bulletproof. It is normally only used for tensioners and serpentine belts, but if your getting of a tire behind the shop (no air back there), it has come in handy with a cheater pipe.
At home, I have an old Indestro/New Brittian, that I inherited (not marked), and a non pretty (not the point) Snap-on 24" I aquired through this board. I also have, and have used my 3/4" Armstrong, with a reducer (prior to getting the longer Snap-on).

 

[speed bump]

I have an S-K, A US made Husky, a craftsman a 24' Toptul on the way. Personally unless I need a cheater they stay in the box and I use a long ratchet if at all possible.

 

[HandyManny]

Proto is the way to go!

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

snap on 3/4 drive 36 inch long with an adapter

 

[Moose-LandTran]

snap on 3/4 drive 36 inch long with an adapter

I have one of these, with a ratchet head. (want a breaker bar head) and it's a beast. There's nothing it won't take off.

 

[Jeeper]

I have an 18" CM and recently just bought a 24" SK. I've had the 18" CM flex under heavy loads. Haven't had a chance to use the SK one but i can tell you it is much heavier and seems much better built.

 

[1loudsuv]

I ended up finding a snap on guy today got a 24" so breaker bar and 3/8 locking head dual 80 ratchet and tl7 1/4 swivel ratchet

 

[J.A.F.E.]

Nice score!

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I like the MAC ones. I went through 3 craftsman and 2 snap-on, on the same bolts (never got one out). I got the MAC bar and all 4 came loose. i was quite impressed. Yes, I was using a cheater.

+1 My MAC breaker bar is a monster!

 

[NugeConstruction]

I like the MAC ones. I went through 3 craftsman and 2 snap-on, on the same bolts (never got one out). I got the MAC bar and all 4 came loose. i was quite impressed. Yes, I was using a cheater.

Ahaha: Nissan "eats" breaker bars like candy!

Were they the A, B, or C series Snappies?

And what lengths...

 

[peterbilr98]

i would go with the snap on

 

[Snapoff]

I have a Kobalt 1/2" Dr breaker bar from Lowes. It feels really really good. This might be a good choice if you do not want to pay for the Snap on price.

 

[Packard V8]

IMHO, if a cheater bar is needed, then, its time to go up a size. That's what the 3/4" sockets are for, guys. I'm always amazed at those who put a cheater bar on a 1/2" drive breaker bar/socket combination and then ask the manufacturer to warranty it because it broke. In all my years, it's rare to break a 1/2" socket with the usual 14"-18" handles. The last one I remember was a 17mm Easco socket on a VW wheel some tire monkey cinched down with an air impact years before. Had I had any idea it was that tight, I'd have gone to an impact socket on the breaker bar.

BTW, notice my Snap-On GS15B is 15" long and has a 5/8" shaft versus the Proto Professional #5485 which is 18" long, but the shaft is only 9/16".

Question: Notice the GS15B has a cylindrical handle, versus the curved handle like most of the S-O chromies. Did S-O ever make this style handle in a chromie?

 

[Elroy]

My favorite breaker bar is a cheap Chinese "Great Neck" brand. Used with about 4' of 4130 tubing, I have yet to lose a fastener war with it. I've used it every day for oh, about 18 years.

I think it was about $9 at the time.

Started wrenching when I was 6 you know.

 

[a390st]

You might use search if you haven't already. There have been tons of breaker bar threads in the past.

 

[superautobacs]

Started wrenching when I was 6 you know.

wned:

 

[rune-hammer]

I have an S-K, A US made Husky, a craftsman a 24' Toptul on the way. Personally unless I need a cheater they stay in the box and I use a long ratchet if at all possible.

Sorry to bump such an old thread but do you have any news on how the 24" toptul is working out? I have been looking at their 30" (CFBC1630) that has an external knuckle, the same principle as some of the bigger SnapOns. Should be stronger than an internal knuckle.

Is 30" too long for 1/2" sockets?

It will not be used much, a few times a year maybe.

 

[bsaint]

I like my gearwrench myself.

 

[Kensgarage]

It's 2015. If your ratchet wont't handle the job, buy one that will.
No need for teary eyes and $200 fanboy stuff either.

 

[Wakefield]

Those good old MACs that people bragged on might have been the older style that had the fork on the head rather than on the handle At some point Craftsmans must have changed to not as strong My VVJ still llives
An idea is to get a 3/4"drive sliding T handle and put an impact reducer to use it with the 1/2" drive stuff -makes a comfortable lug wrench with the slide head in the middle and using both hands-or just use 3/4" inch stuff -the 1/2" drive sliding T handle isn't long enough
Apparently now high end ratchets are as strong as some of the breaker bars