To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

need 1 breaker bar

To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Chadwilliam1

Well-known member
Joined
May 13, 2012
Messages
2,788
Location
Cincinnati
I say get both and just because this is Garage Journal and chances are you will eventully have both. If it was me I would get both because with my luck the first time I grabbed the 24" I would only have 20" of clearence but that is my luck.
 

refried

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 8, 2013
Messages
2,037
Location
San Juan Islands, WA.
If we compare tools and dollars its another question. Words like all, every, bad all broken,,, those guys on the lube rack blow up etc,,, I would like him to really count, throw all the blown up tools in a box for a year and see,

the other day I cleaned out my broken tool bucket, I haven't seen a Snap On truck in about 15 years and this is what's in the box (all Snap On)
3 split deep 9/16 3/8 sockets
2 split shallow 3/8 sockets 9/16 and 3/4
3 broken 3/8 extensions- broken
1 O2 sensor socket- split
2 1/2" breaker bars-snapped shaft, broken head
1 3/8 ratcheting box wrench slips
1 pair of bolt cutters- broken jaw
1 1/2 " ratchet needs rebuild
6 3/8 ratchets need rebuilds
6 assorted screwdrivers
There's also a full set of Gearwrenches that lasted less than a year.
All this stuff was purchased in the '80s and used every day in a salt water enviroment. I figure thats not too bad, I don't know how many lesser quality tools I would have broken in that time, It's not worth taking the chance of getting hurt when something snaps.
I'm pretty sure if you lock that HF breaker bar in a vice it would snap with one good pull.
I've noticed there are two differant types of mechanics today, the techs who want to learn, buy the best tools, and have pride in thier work, then there is the Grease monkey who gives the good guys a bad name and keep the greasy shady mechanic myth alive. I see both types on this forum and can see who would be hired by a reputable shop and the others who wouldn't get thru the front door.
 
Last edited:

helbzor

Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2012
Messages
7
Location
Sydney Australia
This is the internet and this is a thread, it could have ended just as wello with a pat on the head and an atta boy. Its a question of emotion and reasoning. Being the stufent is a good point, no time like the present and you seem to understand you want to treat yourself to some nice stuff and thats ok, as you said, you deserve it and that is the VALUE here.

If we compare tools and dollars its another question. Words like all, every, bad all broken,,, those guys on the lube rack blow up etc,,, I would like him to really count, throw all the blown up tools in a box for a year and see, this is in a tire rack etc, even long enough you going to break a good tool, everything has a duty cycle, probably no more highly used socket than a 19 or 3/4, one under so much repetitious stress, millions and millions and millions of hits a day, wonder what the actual statistical rate of failure is? What it is per user? Most people do not break but a % or so maybe and thats in sockets and this increases in the heat and beat world a bit but broken tools are rare statistically and while there are some things I got one of a 19 isnt it. It will be the one socket in the whole set gets worn out.

I can say this as a tool, we have stress tested the 10$ 24 inch bar, if I bought a new one would reef on it to test it but we have used it in service, lay a 100 dollar bar next to it in the dark, would have complete faith in either. I have had as many failures new in box with sockets, maybe a truck brand stress tests theirs, that may be a plus, I would say its a persentage point in Cman, maybe another 1/2 in service and less than that once tested and into service, replaced never failed again.

Years ago they really slipped, as a matter of fact 2 in my 3/4 drive, maybe 3, I bought a couple big sets in the 80's, they were not so good, I think they might be better now.

Are you drunk when you post ? The constant ramblings and the life long stories you post tends to make me wonder.
 

sberry

Banned
Joined
Jun 18, 2005
Messages
35,747
Location
Brethren, Michigan
So you got a whole pile of good tools broken that havnt been repplaced for free, in 15 yrs, lot of good that warranty did? Here is what I think. There is no substitute for taking 30 seconds no matter how bad *** flat rate you are and doing it right, clean some threads when needed etc, scrape the gunk off and you cant buy that from a store, you cant make up for it no matter how much one spends or how good the tool is.

I think the visions of everyone beoing goldenarms and Godsends to this business is highly over rated, after all only half are above average. I also know a couple flat rate whiz types that couldnt run any kind of biz or make a nickle in this biz if it wasnt spoon fed to them, got every tool they ever invented and a couple B mechanics with a handful of tools made a lot of money.
 

sberry

Banned
Joined
Jun 18, 2005
Messages
35,747
Location
Brethren, Michigan
I ran in my office, one I own in a shop I own and hit a couple keys in a couple threads for the day, usually ones that make me wonder about reasoning. Its actually quite similar to political science numbers, matching men, tools and resources to events, to PM, to new equipment and to the point it makes sense to buy a new hand tool.

There is a crude formula depending on work styles, work place, numbers of men etc. This is similar to avg air consumption, multiple store units vs singles, demand for power, hand tools are very similar. As one guy here said,,, we have 2 scanners for 8 men to use we provide and Johny spends 4 K on one of his own and cant make payments.

Not only do I see this logic at work here but the engouragement forit and its wisdom as advice is questionalble and usually has a bit of flag waving to go along when the rest of the argument doesnt make sense. Like I said, heat and beat, cant see any real worthwhile statistical difference in these tools and cant see it being mathimatically worth 40 times the effort in some cases,,,,, an easy 20 to one at the discount store and 10 to one with a lot of common brands that are trade standards. Speaking of drunk,,,, where you guys learn math?
 

refried

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 8, 2013
Messages
2,037
Location
San Juan Islands, WA.
So you got a whole pile of good tools broken that havnt been repplaced for free, in 15 yrs, lot of good that warranty did? .

I'm smart enough to have extras for when something breaks, nothing worse than having a job held up because of a broken tool. I live on an island, not too many Snap On trucks driving by. The Warranty is still good and will be forever.
Most of my tools are repos from the truck with a nice discount, usually about 30% off tools in like new condition, made me and my Snap On dealer happy.
For those of you who think a Craftsman wrench is as good as a Snap On, take an inside micromiter and see how much an open end wrench has stretched, You will see why Snap On tools are better.
 
Last edited:

NWphotog

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 13, 2008
Messages
1,471
I'm smart enough to have extras for when something breaks, nothing worse than having a job held up because of a broken tool. I live on an island, not too many Snap On trucks driving by. The Warranty is still good and will be forever.
Most of my tools are repos from the truck with a nice discount, usually about 30% off tools in like new condition, made me and my Snap On dealer happy.
For those of you who think a Craftsman wrench is as good as a Snap On, take an inside micromiter and see how much an open end wrench has stretched, You will see why Snap On tools are better.

I can totally understand have back ups but you break that many tools?!
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

dirtydogintex

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 28, 2012
Messages
927
Location
inner looper-3rd Div Houston w & n
I can understand a coupla 3/8" ratchets over the years going south but 6?
No USPS, UPS, Fedex on the island?

Are all the ratchets SO?
Unless they're commonly being used as a breaker, don't you find it strange that many are broken?

Why all the broken 3/8" stuff?
No 1/2"? *L*

Inquiring minds blah, blah, blah
 
Last edited:

64Trvlr

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 7, 2012
Messages
420
Location
Northern AZ
I'm still using the 24" 1/2 drive Snap On breaker bar that I bought about 40 years ago. So I would recommend buying one based on that, it was money well spent for me.
 

refried

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 8, 2013
Messages
2,037
Location
San Juan Islands, WA.
Snap On 1/2" drive stuff dosen't usually break, believe me I've tried.
I don't use a lot of air tools so my 3/8 stuff gets used a lot and many times abused. I've never had any problem breaking the teeth on a 3/8 ratchet, Lots of times I should be using a 1/2" drive but I don't usually don't keep one in my hand carry box .
We do have UPS but I wanted to have enough to make it worth shipping.
 

dirtydogintex

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 28, 2012
Messages
927
Location
inner looper-3rd Div Houston w & n
From what I've heard here, if you warranty your stuff over the phone SO'll send you either repair parts or an entire new item.

BTW I'm the same way with 3/8" stuff - if I start with 1/2" the 3/8" stuff is safe.
If not, oh well.... *L*

I carry a full set of drive (size) adapters in each go bag and 1/2" long handle ratchet or breaker bar complete w/square tube cheater(s).
The only spare socket is the opp depth from what broke (shallow v. deep).
This has usually worked fine and is the lightest of the possibilities....
 
OP
S

SC-AW11

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 23, 2012
Messages
463
Now I deserve both haha that is funny. Ya I wish but I have to have some budget lol I think I can only get one right now. end of this semester and next semester might be a little different lol. I want to get a lot of the 3/8" ratchets and try them out to see which are my go-to, and then order those in 1/4" and 1/2".

I might as well just post what I think my first order is going to be. There will probably be naysayers lol but I'd like to hear the positive feedback

EECT300HG Test light
FX80
F80
PWCS7CF Stripper/Cutter/Crimper
PHT5GR Pick up tool
GLASS31BK Safety Glasses
GLASS30R Safety Glasses
F4LB Speeder
PL300CF 3pc Pliers Set
FB325A Feeler Gauge
RULER602 Pocket Ruler
CSA300AR 3pc Scraper
SHDX80G Hard Handle Screwdriver Set
SN24C 24" Breaker Bar
HBBD16 16oz Deadblow Hammer
Total is 500 give or take 5
And 38 for a Weller soldering gun from amazon

I think he will make it just fine. He has alot of sense and will go along ways !! Good luck to him
I agree, we need more kids like him getting into the industry, He'll be moving up quickly with an attitude like that.
Thank you guys, I really appreciate that!! :beer:
 
Last edited:

JerseyBoatBuilder

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 3, 2012
Messages
1,589
Location
Florida
Now I deserve both haha that is funny. Ya I wish but I have to have some budget lol I think I can only get one right now. end of this semester and next semester might be a little different lol. I want to get a lot of the 3/8" ratchets and try them out to see which are my go-to, and then order those in 1/4" and 1/2".

I might as well just post what I think my first order is going to be. There will probably be naysayers lol but I'd like to hear the positive feedback

EECT300HG Test light
FX80
F80
PWCS7CF Stripper/Cutter/Crimper
PHT5GR Pick up tool
GLASS31BK Safety Glasses
GLASS30R Safety Glasses
F4LB Speeder
PL300CF 3pc Pliers Set
FB325A Feeler Gauge
RULER602 Pocket Ruler
CSA300AR 3pc Scraper
SHDX80G Hard Handle Screwdriver Set
SN24C 24" Breaker Bar
HBBD16 16oz Deadblow Hammer
Total is 500 give or take 5
And 38 for a Weller soldering gun from amazon



Thank you guys, I really appreciate that!! :beer:

But you can get all of that for $5 at harbor freight :spit:

Just kidding enjoy

I dont like the 1st pair of saftey glasses you have listed they have the tendency to slide off or down while looking down at something.
But you have the 2nd pair for that I guess.
 
Last edited:

sberry

Banned
Joined
Jun 18, 2005
Messages
35,747
Location
Brethren, Michigan
Thats neat to know, never really had an issue. How much strech might a Cman wrench have? I have some used thousands of cycles, hammered on even. Got some over 30 yrs I got used, old when I got them. I do have a questiuonthough,, how old are you and how long have you been at this?
 

refried

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 8, 2013
Messages
2,037
Location
San Juan Islands, WA.
Thats neat to know, never really had an issue. How much strech might a Cman wrench have? I have some used thousands of cycles, hammered on even. Got some over 30 yrs I got used, old when I got them. I do have a questiuonthough,, how old are you and how long have you been at this?

They'll stretch enough to give a loose fit on a nut.
I'm close to 50, been making a living doing this since high school
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom