How Often Do You Break Tools?

[W650Mike]

I break far less now than I did in my younger days.

I've learned to be better at getting the right tool for the job, I've gained a better feel, I'm better at taking my time instead of rushing, and my tools have moved up to the better brands.

 

[concealer404]

I'm not much older, and i don't even do this for a living. I'm a desk jockey. The smaller metric Craftsman deep wells in particular have a hard life with me.

 

[concealer404]

I was commenting on the ASSumption, and the idiotic comment of a very short "career".
I've yet to see one that hasn't in a mechanic environment. 10mm, 8mm, and 7mm wear out quick..

I've never broken one, and been doing this for 9 years... the head of the 10mm bolt snaps off before the socket breaks with me. Just wanted to know how to break one.

Ohhh... i see what you mean now. I usually break mine on my turbo hardware. I run a bit higher than Grade 8 on there. I wouldn't use my experiences as a barometer for the majority.

 

[plinker]

Most stuff that break's on me (or that I break) are mini pick's, screwdriver blades, pin punches and once or twice a year a socket (could be any brand).

 

[fourtythree]

Not often. I don't beat my tools like I beat my women.

 

[twincam00]

broke two SK sockets in a month, broke one and they sent me a defective one that broke on the first use, then they sent me a replacement that was only half chromed. I used to be a big fan but idk anymore

 

[Jawn]

Not often.

I broke a 1/16" pin punch a while back. My fault, so I just bought another one.

I have a belt sander that I got then repaired, only to have it snap the drive belt halfway through the next job. Pulleys need replaced too, so I'm waiting for parts.

 

[jpickar]

The only time I have broken something is when it is colder the 20 degrees out. All my tools are craftsman and a few snap-on.

John

 

[ssblood]

Broke a SO line wrench a while back. No hammer, just my palm on a sensor in a DPF. I break torx weekly. Pliers, picks and such.

Random things here and there otherwise.

 

[Hiball]

I very seldom break Anything, when i do its because of Poor Judgement which is caused by the "I Need to get this Job done Now" or "Lack of Experience". I wish i was Perfect but i still make mistakes from time to time, My Grandpa always said that if your Not Making Mistakes your Not trying hard enough.

 

[vga]

In my lifetime I have broken 1 screw driver tip ( Mac) and was using it as a pry bar at the time. I own alot of Craftsman tools, ( every single socket I own is a craftsman) and have yet to break a single one. Ever. I have had to replace 3 Craftsman ratchets due to them just wearing out over time , this was back in the 80/ 90s. I have made a damm good living over the years using Craftsman tools. No complaints what so ever from me!!!

 

[Slingshot Engage]

Awh, I really hurt your feelings, haven't I?

But, what leads you to believe you know my age?

He is a ninja editor. He must also be a ninja age guesser.

 

[wafrederick]

Once in a while.Last time was a Craftsman T40 torx bit.I have broke Mac,Matco,Cornwell and Craftsman tools.I get them replaced with no problems at all.If you want to to see the tips of #2 phillips screwdrivers broken,My neighbor Ken does it.Does it to cheap and good brands including Snap On.

 

[wreckerman5357]

It surprises me all the people breaking pliers on here. I have never broken a pair of pliers. The only problem I have had with pliers is that the new Vise Grips have the softest teeth on earth. I'm curious as to what people are doing to break so many pliers and what brands of pliers are breaking.

 

[7.62]

The only thing I've actually broken in recent memory was a 1/2" SO ratchet, and it was my own fault for using an enormous cheater pipe on it. Still not sure what I was thinking, the breaker bar I should have used was literally right next to the ratchet in the drawer.

 

[kidney]

I'm not counting cheap stuff, here.

The only things I recall returning recently were Craftsman pro screw drivers. I've broken two 1/4 ratchets (MAC, Craftsman), but I can't fault the makers as it was more of a case of me being too lazy to grab a 3/8 ratchet.

 

[lauver]

Gang,

Tool breakage has never been a problem for me, with the possible exception of drill bits. I have worn out a few tools (sockets, screwdrivers, and pliers) that had extreme high miles on them.

If you're breaking tools on a regular basis, you're either using cheap tools, the wrong tools, or you're using the tools improperly.

 

[jpickar]

lauver, a big +1.
I have used 1/2" and 3/4" ratchets on a steam engine and I have never broken anything.
The only items I have broken is sockets working out on cars in cold weather. I mean colder than 20 degrees, but more like zero or colder.

John

 

[dittle fart around]

Broke an 18" long breaker bar over the weekend. Had a 36 mm 1/2" drive socket on the nut holding the brake drum on my VW. Standing on the 3ft chunk of pipe I was using to get more leverage, I started bouncing then it broke. They replaced it without asking any questions.

 

[back2class]

Don't break many....though I may go through about a dozen screwdrivers a year and maybe a few punches and torx bits. I almost consider those consumable though. Broken socket....ratchets and so on very rare

 

[chappys4life]

Only things I have broke the past year I can recall are craftsman hex bit sockets had like 3 or 4 I had to return. They are **** though need to find a good replacement set in a better brand.

 

[crewchief888]

I don't break tools very often, when I do it is in grand fashion and normally my fault.

i haveta agree with ya on that one...

 

[Mercy]

I break screwdrivers, drill bits, sockets, and anything with a wood handle. Fiberglass handles are mandatory.

 

[rmsg0040]

Only a couple things:

drill bits
breaker bar (once)
pitman arm puller (my fault, it wasnt impact ready)

Thats all I can remember

Things tend to break when you dont use them properly

 

[JDS968]

My biggest problem is that I want a small (2 or 3 cell AA or AAA) penlight that's very tough and very bright with a very floody beam to make inspections easy with hot spot beams it makes seeing fine detail like cracks in serpentine belts difficult to see. a strion sounds pretty ideal except for the price and the fact that it's not a flood beam.

The Strion LED is a little larger than that, but not by much, I carry it around in a shirt pocket, hip pocket, or back pocket all the time. I inspect everything with it, and while you're right, it's not really a flood, the beam has a central "hot spot" and then a very large peripheral beam which is great for inspecting engine bays and such, although I occasionally turn the brightness down to the "low" setting when I want to shine the hot spot on something without it washing out too much. It's definitely spendy, but for me at least, it's been worth every penny (of which I saved quite a few by ordering it off Amazon instead of the Snap-On truck). Also, there's probably no way anybody's convincing me to go back to anything that takes AAs or AAAs now!

Thee plastic pry tools and mini hooks and picks are tools that are easy to break, don't see myself slowing down on those.

Have you tried the SIR Tools ST9030 set? I've used a variety of these things and the SIR Tools ones are just made better. They're stronger, tougher, more durable...point is they don't break. I abuse mine (within limits) and not so much as a chewed-up corner.

 

[DanCo]

I destroy the 24" HF 1/2" breaker bar on a monthly basis...No cheater bars, and I don't jump on them.

Dan

 

[ATC]

Broken screwdrivers are a given...

I've broke a 1/2" breaker bar, and bent another pretty bad. Broke a pair of the long-reach needle-nose pliers. I've split a couple old deepwell sockets in the 3/8" size that were pretty thin.

But these were all at least a year or more ago. I have since wisened up to Liquid Wrench, a torch, and most importantly...using the right tool for the job!

 

[nyrapscalion]

I break sockets, usually have a cheater bar on the end of the ratchet though.
Bit sockets seem to break easily, no brand seems better than any other.

 

[thooks]

I try to use the right tool for the job and I don't abuse a tool because it has a warranty.

Yes, I have broken tools before. Not very many chromed sockets/wrenches. Never broke a ratchet.