Harbor Freight Breaker Bar

[hguerrero]

I know, I know, it's made in China.

Beyond that I've read a couple of good reviews here on GJ about the HF 1/2" drive breaker bar and how it can take abuse and still works....

I plan to leave it in my toyota truck to use to change lug nuts when the need arises.

Any reason why I shouldn't do this?

 

[warmpancakes]

for 5.00 I have one in every car bought a set of the metric impacts to go with it

 

[SCscoutguy]

They are great breaker bars. I would put mine right up against the Proto and Snap On bars I own. Recently when they clearanced them out for $3.77 and $5.97 each I did exactly what you are wanting to do and put one each in my trucks with the appropriate sized socket for each trucks lug nuts.

 

[VegasBruce]

I have one in my Chevy pickup. Perfect for changing tires IMHO.

 

[bmxr4life87]

I have one in the trunk of my camry with my aluminum 1.5 ton jack and hf torque wrench plus a plastic box with sockets from 11/16 - 1 1/8 and a 19/21mm flip socket I can help most anyone I run across with a flat tire

 

[reyna14]

The only problem I've ever had with mine was removing the dumb warning stickers off it. I used it with a jack handle to remove an axle nut that was stuck pretty good. Easily over 400 ft-lbs to break it loose. No problem. I recently got the 3/8" bar for my track toolbox.

 

[dwm]

I don't think there's any good reason to not buy one at the current price. It's a very good tool for $5.97. As for throwing it in the back of the truck... that's up to you. I prefer something like a Gorilla extendable for emergency wheel swaps because it's shorter when stored. My 25" HF breaker bar stays at home.

 

[hguerrero]

i thought about using a 3/4 proto ratchet but having trouble finding a socket to fit my tacoma and the ratchet. maybe i'm looking in the wrong place.....

 

[mrholeshot]

Best breaker bar at any price. I have Snap-On, SK Proto,Mac, etc. It's one bad *** breaker bar. The fact they damn near give them away makes it that much better.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Mine were made in Taiwan. I bought the 24" and the 18" both on clearance. I figured for the price why not...

 

[DrkMtnDew]

at less than $5 each, they made great stocking stuffers.

 

[SMKS]

I know, I know, it's made in China.

Actually, I think they are Taiwan, not China. I bought the 25" this week for $5.97, it is marked "made in Taiwan." I can't say about the others.

I wonder what HF will replace them with? Some of the new items they've been releasing appear to be big improvements over the older items.

 

[zer0cell]

I heard that many of the current products are going to be switching to the new green label Pittsburgh pro line and be updated. They will supposedly be better quality

 

[bchee]

Doesn't it seem strange a company would go from taiwan, to china, back to taiwan, with actual improvements in quality.

 

[jesselyons2002]

I actually got mines to break. Well me and my friend. Lets say. Rust, axle nut, honda and 370 lbs are not best friends with this breaker bar lol

 

[PSYKO_Inc]

I've got the 24" one, it's one bad sumbitch. I call it "the motivator"

 

[mrholeshot]

Doesn't it seem strange a company would go from taiwan, to china, back to taiwan, with actual improvements in quality.

Sometimes new and improved arnt really improved. Coke proved that in grand fashion back in 1985

 

[t100]

I have the 18" one, personally I tried to break it by standing on the end of the handle but it held just fine.

only thing I don't like it was the big head(copy of MAC). it's hard to get in tight spots which Snap On and others can.

 

[hguerrero]

i might put one in the rest of the family vehicles
a breaker bar for 6 bucks is hard to beat...
although, i'd prefer a ratcheting bar...
i use a long handle 1/2 ratchet in one of my cars....works well....

 

[diesel research]

only thing I don't like it was the big head(copy of MAC). it's hard to get in tight spots which Snap On and others can.

It's also harder to break than snap on/craftsmen head style. Brute strength sacrifices some space.

One of these was purchased to replace a snap on that snapped off one too many times.

 

[harvero]

Better to go to one of the "U-pull it" salvage yards and get one of the T shaped lug wrenches.

 

[bart1]

Not that the OP needs any more convincing, but I have had a 1/2" drive 24" one for some time and it's a beast. I have broken loose some serious stuff with it and it's never broken a sweat.

 

[BQuicksilver]

I don't think there's any good reason to not buy one at the current price. It's a very good tool for $5.97. As for throwing it in the back of the truck... that's up to you. I prefer something like a Gorilla extendable for emergency wheel swaps because it's shorter when stored. My 25" HF breaker bar stays at home.

Agree. Though HF also knocked off the Gorilla.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Better to go to one of the "U-pull it" salvage yards and get one of the T shaped lug wrenches.

Why's that?

 

[archirelic]

after reading this, I may just have to swing by and pick a couple up.

 

[woody 73]

I just picked up four of them at $3.77 each,Darn they had nice 1/2 sets of chrome moly sockets at $11.00 dollars each,could not resist the Dark side

 

[Wakefield]

Which are these breaker bars,China or Taiwan? If there are some of both,perhaps not all of them are so good.

 

[stricht8]

Any pics?

 

[SMKS]

Which are these breaker bars,China or Taiwan?

The one I got is Taiwan. I think the OP just guessed it was made in China.

 

[hguerrero]

The one I got is Taiwan. I think the OP just guessed it was made in China.

you're right, i checked, it's made in taiwan...
always find it interesting how people are so resistant/reluctant to owning/buying things made overseas...

 

[Case IH]

I Work on a 3000+ cow dairy farm that dose almost all of its own up keep and fixing on all of its tractors and equipment and all of the mechanics have al there own tools but there are tons (litterly) of harbor freight tools just lying around on the benches and peg boards and i have never had a problem with any of them including the breaker bars and all ot the tools get BEAT VERY HARD there and all of have seemed to of held up for the money that the boss paid for them

 

[Wakefield]

I see there is an Autozone Duralast breaker bar in 1/2" drive-but it costs more than $5!!

 

[bczygan]

Just picked up the 1/2" and the very last 3/8" breaker bars at my local HF, along with the 4 piece lockable 3/8 extension set. Used 20% coupon on 2 most expensive ones. Spent $15 total. Very hefty stuff. My first breaker bars. Will put in HF roll cabinet.

 

[Mike F]

I have been looking online as well as in the store by me and can not find these breaker bars for anywhere close to 5 or even 10 dollars. Are there any coupons I should know about or is it just hit or miss when you go to the store? Multiple trips to the store alone will put the price up there given gas, and the need to make other purchases while I am in the store. Right now a 1/2" x 25" long bar is on sale for $11.99, 18" is $9.49, and a 3/8" x 17" is $7.99. I suppose those are cheap enough to just pick a few up.

 

[SMKS]

I have been looking online as well as in the store by me and can not find these breaker bars for anywhere close to 5 or even 10 dollars. Are there any coupons I should know about or is it just hit or miss when you go to the store? Multiple trips to the store alone will put the price up there given gas, and the need to make other purchases while I am in the store.

It was a clearance deal, because HF is revamping the socket/ratchet section. My local store has them back on the shelves at regular price, but now they are in the new packaging.

 

[leod]

i see it's 11.99 now for the 1/2 drive 25", are these the same quality?

 

[mkirkpatrick]

i see it's 11.99 now for the 1/2 drive 25", are these the same quality?

They look exactly like the ones that they clearance out. They are still worth the money.

 

[diesel research]

I see there is an Autozone Duralast breaker bar in 1/2" drive-but it costs more than $5!!

It is just as good, if not better. Difference? The head is black oxide coated, while the HF is all chrome. I have both. Have no real preference, although the HF one may have a bit more flex.

 

[jjjrmx5]

I have both the 18" and 25" HF bars.

The 18" is my favorite for most work as I use a SO impact for the nasty stuff.

I did end up breaking/shearing the bolt on the 25" bar. Broke cleanly where the swivel head meets the u-shaped cut out of the main lever bar.

Picked up a new button head long correctly rated cap screw/bolt from the hdwre store, took a whiz wheel and cut the bolt to length once screwed in and then used a little blue Loctite to keep the bolt in place.

I think it's a good tool for the price , but I will go either Snappy or NAPA for a backup 24" or 25" long breaker next month.

my $0.02.

jjjrmx5