longer or thicker breaker bar?

[ajchien]

just a theoretical question...

do you guys think a larger drive (less flex) or a longer bar (more leverage) makes it easier to break loose bolts?

for example:

1/2 drive 25" vs. 3/4 drive 20" length

or

3/8 drive 18" vs. 1/2 drive 15" length.

Or may it depend on manufacturer/metallurgy too? or maybe it's a silly question.

 

[NinetyTwoFifty]

I've had 24 inch 1/2 drive bars flex almost to the point of breaking.

That's why I bought a 3/4 drive 20" bar, the shorter length doesn't seem to make a big difference, it gets the job done.

 

[BQuicksilver]

Longer will definitely break the bolts loose better. Thats just a physics function.

Thicker really determines the 'risk' to you in breaking loose that bolt.

 

[charle10]

I'd agree with BQuicksilver on this one. Heat, Lubricants, and Impacts aside, Torque is what will loosen a bolt. And torque is basically force x length of handle. A longer length handle with the same amount of force at the end = more torque.

 

[King Bojack]

My wife says length before girth...... I think. Mebe my memorys fuzzy??? Could be the other way around.

 

[davesnothere]

Longer will definitely break the bolts loose better. Thats just a physics function.

Thicker really determines the 'risk' to you in breaking loose that bolt.

agreed.

 

[idoitproject]

Why not both?

 

[Elroy]

Longer will definitely break the bolts loose better. Thats just a physics function.

Longer don't mean jack **** if it bends. You should see how much torque Elroy can get out of a 24 foot long balsa wood wrench

 

[Brad54]

Well, I just asked my wife which was more important, length or thickness, and she said "They're both equally important."

That probably doesn't help matters for this discussion, but her answer DOES leave me wondering!

-Brad

 

[Wrenches of Death]

just a theoretical question...

do you guys think a larger drive (less flex) or a longer bar (more leverage) makes it easier to break loose bolts?

If you have the room to swing it, snag an American made true industrial quality 3/4" or 1" drive bar by a reputable manufacturer.

Proto, Wright, Snap-on, Williams, etc.

Then snag yourself a quality IMPACT rated reducer if you want to continue to use your 1/2" drive sockets. Personally, I prefer the 3/4 drive sockets.

Those whippy little 1/2 drive handles scare me. There's probably a lot of lost energy there too when you try to nudge something to loosen or tighten it.

WoD

 

[littletoes]

I've always given fond thoughts of those Snappy 1" & 3/4" drive "heads" that you can buy different length handles for.

Don't know the part number, but I think you can get them with some VERY long handles!

Here's a link;

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...8&group_ID=444&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Here's a 36" long handle for that same head;

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...1&group_ID=445&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[bagsanthony]

IR 231 that *****!

 

[pipsters]

The thicker the better I have a 4' cast iron pipe I slip over my breaker bar

 

[shampoop]

I love my 1/2" drive 24" snapon breaker bar, just wish it was a little thicker and didn't flex so much under stress. It bent A LOT when breaking loose the crank pulley on my friends integra. Thought I was going to break it.

It *****, cause I don't want to buy a 3/4" bar because i'll just have to use a reducer adapter on it anyway. I have zero use for 3/4" drive tools so I don't have any, but I have a ton of 1/2" stuff.