Looking for a 24" breaker bar

[sac02]

I've been in the market for a 24" breaker bar for a while, looking for a good deal.

It appears eBay could net me a used 24" Snap-On breaker for about $60 or $65 if I'm patient.

Right now I'm looking at a Proto piece (J5469) on Zoro for $31 (free shipping) after coupon. That price is about $1.50 cheaper than it's ever been on Amazon, according to camelcamelcamel.

We have Snap-One breakers at work and I really like the feel and heft of them compared to the old (90's) Cman 18" 1/2" drive I currently have at home. I've never had my hands on a Proto breaker.

Should I hold out for the snap-on, or give in and buy the Proto now?

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I went Proto and the the quality is fantastic. I originally set out to get a Snap On, but I couldn't find a deal on Ebay for less than $95. Proto has been making tools at least as long as Snap On; they don't put out ****. In the end, I'm glad I went Proto. $35 is hard to beat for a solid USA made tool.

 

[Ruger_556]

I have both and I use the Proto... The Snap On has a bolt so you can tighten the head if you want, the Proto is just a pin but has a knurl grip. Take your pick

 

[BDT/NWMN]

My ProTo J5469 was reasonable priced and good quality... I have six ProTo breaker bars (hinge handle in ProTo language) , Well, I have been tugging on some of those older bars for over 45 years and never broke one... The newer bars have a heavier shank than the old timers; but the ProTo family has treated me well..... well, except for those slippery jointed water pump pliers that were the skelton in the ProTo closet when I bought them..

 

[alan camby]

I have both and I use the Proto... The Snap On has a bolt so you can tighten the head if you want, the Proto is just a pin but has a knurl grip. Take your pick

the "A" model snap-on has a pin and the square is offset 45 degrees.
the "B" model has a pin.
The "C" has a bolt.

Someone correct me if I am wrong.

How well does the Proto warranty work In the real world?
Can I just call and they will send out a new head and pin? Or, Will I have to spend $10 to mail my 24" long bar back to them and wait a few months?

Like the OP, I have the 18" Craftsman.

 

[rsanter]

I know I have an 18so I could sell
The other option is that the breaker bar at HF is actually remarkably cheap jet is a good piece

Bob

 

[oldldh]

Just a thought...

GearWrench makes some pretty good Breaker Bars and Speeder Handles...

Part # Price

81308D 1/2"--24" $24.56
81307 1/2"--15" 19.64
81221 3/8"--12" 15.06
81013 1/4"---6" 8.97

Speeder Handles...

81239---3/8" $10.97
81312---1/2" 16.84

All prices are from www.tooldiscounter.com

I think it's interesting that the total price for all six pieces is $ 96.04!!!...Plus Freight...

A lot of tools for the money...

As good as SnapOn/Proto/etc/et al...probably not...but adequate for almost everyone...

 

[MattPSC]

I know I have an 18so I could sell
The other option is that the breaker bar at HF is actually remarkably cheap jet is a good piece

Bob

I sheared off the square part that goes in the socket on my HF bar trying to loosen an axle nut. Would not recommend.

 

[Zrexxer]

As far as bang for the buck, you'd be hard pressed doing better than a Proto for $31, IMO.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

How well does the Proto warranty work In the real world?
Can I just call and they will send out a new head and pin? Or, Will I have to spend $10 to mail my 24" long bar back to them and wait a few months?

Alan; I just talked to ProTo customer service in regards to warranty service..


They prefer that warranties are handled through a local dealer... I gave my zip code to pinpoint the closest dealer... Being that I am further than 50 miles from the nearest dealer; I can send them directly to ProTo at the location listed on their website under customer service.......

Back in pre-website days; I made a 60 mile one way trip to Acme Tools in Grand Forks, ND to warranty a few ProTo tools.. The broken tools were left at Acme Tools for inspection by a ProTo rep who would come around about every six weeks back then... He would authorize the warranty, and then the replacement tools would be ordered on a stock order.. I waited close to 3 months, for my replacements to arrive at the store.. Then I got to make a second 120 mile round trip to get them.................Well, I just got off the phone with Acme Tools.... The ProTo rep no longer makes the rounds to their location.. They advised me to send any warranty items into the customer service address listed on the ProTo website... Acme Tools will special order ProTo tools, but don't normally stock them any longer..

Easy, no hassle warranty service is not a number one ProTo feature for my area.... I do hope that other GJ Members can relate to better experiences with ProTo warranty;; but for me---it is what it is... The tools are mostly good quality and reasonably priced... Warranty has never been a major concern, as my fail rate has been low with ProTo..

 

[mattygee]

The HF breaker bar can often be had for 10 bucks or so... It is one of the best things they sell.

 

[sac02]

In regards to the HF recommendations - I have absolutely nothing against HF (I own plenty of stuff from them), but I really dislike their breaker bar design. I actually posted this just a couple days ago in a different thread:

I have had many instances where a smaller breaker bar head is appreciated. So many in fact that I specifically look at the size of the head as a criteria in purchasing a breaker bar.

I would never buy one with this monster size head style (HF sells some like this, I was looking for that picture as an example, but ran across this one instead)

 

[BajaBound]

I broke two 25" HF breaker bars doing my buddies hub assemblies on an 06 cummins. The truck had 150k and these were the original hubs. The axle nuts had never come off before. I broke both standing on the handle and I way 220. The HF corded impact took the nut right off and I am still impressed today not only with the impact. The HF 25" is an incredible value and I would recommend it to anyone and I would suggest getting a couple just incase. My friend bought me a green handled snappy 24 breaker bar and it has a ton of flex in it.

 

[just a noob]

I broke two 25" HF breaker bars doing my buddies hub assemblies on an 06 cummins. The truck had 150k and these were the original hubs. The axle nuts had never come off before. I broke both standing on the handle and I way 220. The HF corded impact took the nut right off and I am still impressed today not only with the impact. The HF 25" is an incredible value and I would recommend it to anyone and I would suggest getting a couple just incase. My friend bought me a green handled snappy 24 breaker bar and it has a ton of flex in it.

Probable failure of a 1/2 drive is 425 ft lbs and you put a hair under 460 ft lbs on it so not doing too bad

 

[1foxracing]

Another option Wright Tool 4434 http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/12drhand/4434.html
I've personally busted 2 Snap On 24" breaker bars working on motorcycles, no their best product in my opinion....

 

[90zcar]

Just so u know....snap on has a 36" breaker bar out now!


Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk

 

[Kev442]

Better have a lot of working space to use the HF. I actually got to measure the flex trying to break a stuck motor loose. Over 5"! Those things scare the hell out of me.

 

[SantaAna12]

Probable failure of a 1/2 drive is 425 ft lbs and you put a hair under 460 ft lbs on it so not doing too bad

Please tell me how you calculated that.

Sac.....that Zoro price would be even better with the 25%, would it not? Full polish Proto! Nice!!

 

[sac02]

Another option Wright Tool 4434 http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/12drhand/4434.html
I've personally busted 2 Snap On 24" breaker bars working on motorcycles, no their best product in my opinion....
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-51THFNn3bWA/U6Gnx3HjD3I/AAAAAAACPKY/k3MYUPu8mtQ/w1044-h316-no/DSC00080.JPG[IMG][/QUOTE]

But would you take that Wright for $60 over the Proto for $31? (honest question, I've never handled either.)

And speaking of handles, I do like the round knurled handles on breaker bars, makes a nice fit for cheater bars... :evil:

 

[jlh92]

I have an old SK and a Powr-Kraft. Love both of them. If the newer SK stuff is similar I'd recommend them.

 

[sac02]

Please tell me how you calculated that.

Sac.....that Zoro price would be even better with the 25%, would it not? Full polish Proto! Nice!!

I'm just applying a straight $5 off, no minimum, coupon code. I don't think I qualify for 25%, doesn't that require a higher minimum order?

 

[ishiboo]

Please tell me how you calculated that.

Sac.....that Zoro price would be even better with the 25%, would it not? Full polish Proto! Nice!!

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=208184

It would of course depend on steel quality and construction.

 

[sac02]

I have an old SK and a Powr-Kraft. Love both of them. If the newer SK stuff is similar I'd recommend them.

I have an SK 3/8 breaker and like it. But the same question I posed regarding the Wright recommendation - is the SK worth $60 to the Proto's $31?

 

[SantaAna12]

Thanks Ishiboo.

As I understand that, it uses one manufacturer's claims. No explanation as to how they came to their conclusion.

Good for a baseline.

The reference to SO using a 700 Ft/lb rating was interesting.

Sac....sorry amigo....I did not see a minimum on the order. But I have seen that 25% pop up pretty often. 27.23$ if and when.

Not bad at all.

 

[wild cowboy]

Proto (Plomb) has been making tools for 13 years longer than Snap-On, 11 years longer than SK, 12 years longer than Cornwell, 20 years longer than Wright, and 31 years longer than Mac/Matco, but not as long as J.H. Williams or Armstrong or Bonney or Mayhew.

 

[Cope]

Alan; I just talked to ProTo customer service in regards to warranty service..


They prefer that warranties are handled through a local dealer... I gave my zip code to pinpoint the closest dealer... Being that I am further than 50 miles from the nearest dealer; I can send them directly to ProTo at the location listed on their website under customer service.......

Back in pre-website days; I made a 60 mile one way trip to Acme Tools in Grand Forks, ND to warranty a few ProTo tools.. The broken tools were left at Acme Tools for inspection by a ProTo rep who would come around about every six weeks back then... He would authorize the warranty, and then the replacement tools would be ordered on a stock order.. I waited close to 3 months, for my replacements to arrive at the store.. Then I got to make a second 120 mile round trip to get them.................Well, I just got off the phone with Acme Tools.... The ProTo rep no longer makes the rounds to their location.. They advised me to send any warranty items into the customer service address listed on the ProTo website... Acme Tools will special order ProTo tools, but don't normally stock them any longer..

Easy, no hassle warranty service is not a number one ProTo feature for my area.... I do hope that other GJ Members can relate to better experiences with ProTo warranty;; but for me---it is what it is... The tools are mostly good quality and reasonably priced... Warranty has never been a major concern, as my fail rate has been low with ProTo..

That's kind of the way Williams used to be warrantied, rep had to approve all warranty work.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

But would you take that Wright for $60 over the Proto for $31? (honest question, I've never handled either.)

And speaking of handles, I do like the round knurled handles on breaker bars, makes a nice fit for cheater bars...

I wouldn't pay double for the Wright. I own the Proto and a Wright breaker bar and the only difference is the detents on the head of the Wright. Both are awesome quality, but the Proto is a bargain at this price.

 

[sac02]

That's what I'm thinking as well. I mean, how can I NOT buy it, right?! lol

 

[Aerogt01]

I have an old SK and a Powr-Kraft. Love both of them. If the newer SK stuff is similar I'd recommend them.

I will second this. I have two old-fashioned SK breakers and I would not hesitate to put ~420 ft-lbs on either one.

 

[BK13]

I must be getting old and cranky... I just don't understand churning a bunch of stomach acid over a friggin' breaker bar.

 

[bobcatdan]

Even thou Armstrong is not getting the best love in the other thread. If and this is an if, Armstrong has the redesigned drive like Matco, it would be one tough bar. Both Matco and Armstrong had the identical drive end as a craftsman, in one word, weak. However a few years a go, Matco revamped their bars. I bought a 30" because I couldn't resist. It has the new design. Extremely tough. If Armstrong shares this head, I would recommend it.

 

[sac02]

What is the difference in the old weak heads and new stronger heads? Pics?

 

[Ruger_556]

the "A" model snap-on has a pin and the square is offset 45 degrees.
the "B" model has a pin.
The "C" has a bolt.

Someone correct me if I am wrong.

How well does the Proto warranty work In the real world?
Can I just call and they will send out a new head and pin? Or, Will I have to spend $10 to mail my 24" long bar back to them and wait a few months?

That sounds right...

Distributor and/or mail in. There's a little hole in the wall industrial supplier about 5 mins from work that is a dealer so I use them. I think the longest it took them to get anything for me was 3 weeks. Usually faster than that though. If warranty is really important to you then industrial brands are not for you, I could care less myself as every tool I've broken has been completely my fault.

 

[bobcatdan]

The old head is identical to a craftsman, kinda a rough forge, not the most eye appealing piece of metal I guess is a good way to discribe it. A new one looks more like an SO. I can't help with pictures at the moment, I'm nowhere near my tools. I'll take a look if Armstrong's website shows any thing.

 

[Zrexxer]

I must be getting old and cranky... I just don't understand churning a bunch of stomach acid over a friggin' breaker bar.

It's what we do.

 

[BK13]

I know, but it's a dang breaker bar.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RedneckWelder]

I'm a big fan of HF but I cannot endorse the breaker bar.

A known quality breaker bar is cheap. I'd rather pay the $35 than endure pain and possible medical bills due to breaking the cheap HF unit.

 

[sac02]

I know, but it's a dang breaker bar.

Then you're free to ignore this thread. Seems like it takes a lot more effort to complain about what tools we are discussing here in the "General Tool Discussion" forum...

I'm a big fan of HF but I cannot endorse the breaker bar.

The HF bar is not and never was a consideration.

 

[rockinacummins]

I bought the HF for $10. Used it to do ball joints on my 1 ton cummins. I was impressed with the pull I could get on it. Sure it flexes a bit, but it was the only one I had (out of quite a selection) that got the job done.

 

[Tronyadorable]

Buy a 3/4 and use a 3/4 to 1/2 adapter and be done with it.
You'll find out how good your sockets are too !