Need recommendations on a 3/8" breaker bar.

[homesale]

Need recommendations on a 3/8" breaker bar. What's the best length for a 3/8" breaker bar? What's a good brand to buy?

 

[mrholeshot]

For a 3/8 I'd say just about any brand will be fine. I have a MAC,SK and a Craftsman and I can't ever remember using either one. I wrenched for over 40 years and I can probably count the times I've use one on 1 hand. My vote would be to buy a good ratchet and ditch that idea. The offer almost no advatage over a good ratchet. I'd say if you absolutly had to have one i'd find a SK. It's about the beefiest of any I've seen.

 

[lipadj46]

The harbor freight 1/2" (24" long) and 3/8" (17" long) are actually quite nice and sturdy and cost under $20 combined. They are definitely nicer than the craftsman breaker bars and if you do manage to break them just get it replaced under warranty.

 

[mrholeshot]

The harbor freight 1/2" (24" long) and 3/8" (17" long) are actually quite nice and sturdy and cost under $20 combined. They are definitely nicer than the craftsman breaker bars and if you do manage to break them just get it replaced under warranty.

For Sure. I think the new Craftsman breaker bars are made out of plastic, lol

 

[brian90505]

I have a Proto but it's just there in the drawer to match my Proto ratchets. I use my S-O or Mac long-handled flex head ratchets as 3/8-drive breakers.

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

I like my craftsmans. Not because of how they look or feel. Just the fact that they get the job done and if anything ever happens to them i can take them down the street and get a new one

 

[MattT]

The offer almost no advatage over a good ratchet.

I like using a breaker bar with crowfeet. Ratcheting can be a PITA using them.

SO breaker bar will handle more torque than a Mac XR11. I don't make a habit of busting lugnuts with 3/8" drive but that's all I had with me

 

[mrholeshot]

I like using a breaker bar with crowfeet. Ratcheting can be a PITA using them.

SO breaker bar will handle more torque than a Mac XR11. I don't make a habit of busting lugnuts with 3/8" drive but that's all I had with me

Yeah thats a good use for them

 

[1969]

I have a thorsen and an older craftsman and almost never use them. Maybe once a year, maybe.

 

[cheap bastard]

I use an old Proto, about 10 inches long. The only thing I ever use a 3/8 breaker bar for is caliper bolt removal when an air tool is impractical.

 

[homesale]

How are Kobalt 3/8" breaker bars?

http://www.lowes.com/pd_63457-1074-22802_0_?productId=1095163&Ntt=breaker+bar&Ntk=i_products&pl=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?newSearch=true$Ntt=breaker bar

Kobalt has both a chrome and a krinkle finish version. Any one have the krinkle finish version?

 

[zoso]

I have a snap-on bar thats like 10". I find it quite handy for things like taking out spark plugs from small engines or anything else that i just need to break loose and then turn with my fingers. Also, it works good with my favorite oil filter wrench. I guess some people like them and others would just use a ratchet.

I dont think brand really matters too much in a tool like this. I would just get the one that is most comfortable in your hand.

 

[Big Bad Jon]

I have this one, http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...5&group_ID=233&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
Both times I have used it, it has performed well. Seriously buy a tough 3/8 long handle ratchet and save some drawer space.

 

[bindernut]

I never had one while I was wrenching on mowers. Used a Snap On 3/8" ratchet & deep socket to back up my 3/8" impact many times, never had a problem. Heelsroll sent me an older C-man breaker a while back, but I haven't used it yet. Don't do much wrenching anymore since I work in parts. Haven't had a box at work in almost 2 years.

 

[Art From De Leon]

I cannot remember using a 3/8" breaker bar. A good 3/8" ratchet should be just as capable of taking the same pull as a 3/8" breaker bar.

 

[Indy_500]

I love my 17" 3/8" drive HF breaker bar. It works good in case you have a stuck smaller bolt that you don't have a 1/2" drive socket for.

 

[tressler]

That's funny, I used mine today for the first time! A ratchet was just a bit too large. With the breaker bar I had just enough clearance.

Just the other day I was regretting buying it. Nice little 10" or so Proto, I picked up new on eBay for $3. Now I think I'll keep it and probably reach for it more often.

 

[MarcSeattle]

I use a short 3/8" breaker bar to break the fastener loose then I spin it like a screwdriver. Faster than a ratchet, especially if there are several like the case cover screws on a motorcycle. A cordless works well for that too.

 

[GT89mustang]

I have a craftsman 3/8 breaker but have yet to use it, my 3/8 flex ratchet is almost as long and has a more comfortable handle.

 

[rayzor32]

dont mean to hijack this thread but can anyone recommend a breaker bar with the thinnest "head"? about my only use for them for me is when your in a tight spot and a ratchet wont fit and a wrench won't do. buddy at work has an old one but theres no name on it.

 

[superautobacs]

I use a short 3/8" breaker bar to break the fastener loose then I spin it like a screwdriver. Faster than a ratchet, especially if there are several like the case cover screws on a motorcycle. A cordless works well for that too.

I do that too with my 8" (roughly) KD breaker bar. Provided there's space, I do that for bolts up to 13mm.

 

[homesale]

Is HF the only company that makes a 17" 3/8" drive breaker bar? Who else makes one that is 17" or longer?

 

[superautobacs]

IMO, a 17" breaker in a 3/8" drive isn't optimal; you should already be using a 1/2" at that length.

 

[chevy302dz]

I have a old Plomb but it rarly ever gets used as a breaker bar, what I do like about it however is the bottom of the handle is broached so that it can be used as a 3/8 extension. If anyone still makes one with that feature that's what I would go for.

 

[Indy_500]

Is HF the only company that makes a 17" 3/8" drive breaker bar? Who else makes one that is 17" or longer?

they are one of the longest 3/8" drive breaker bars on the market.

 

[Scotto]

Is HF the only company that makes a 17" 3/8" drive breaker bar? Who else makes one that is 17" or longer?

I'd go for the HF. I have a 1/2" 25" long HF and supported my whole body weight with a 4' cheater bar. Insanely strong.

 

[Cummins_Powered]

How are Kobalt 3/8" breaker bars?

http://www.lowes.com/pd_63457-1074-22802_0_?productId=1095163&Ntt=breaker+bar&Ntk=i_products&pl=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?newSearch=true$Ntt=breaker bar

Kobalt has both a chrome and a krinkle finish version. Any one have the krinkle finish version?

I have that in chrome, used it very few times, but it performed fine. I just use my long handled snap on now instead.

 

[biscuit141]

Sorry for bringing an old thread back to life but my question is relevant. I have a 3/8 drive Kolbalt breaker bar that has sat unused in my tool box for nearly a year. However, I am one of those "rather have and not need than need and not have" people. My local pawn shop has a 12" 3/8 drive Mac breaker bar for $10. I was thinking of returning my Kobalt bar for store credit and picking up the Mac. However I guess I could just do without as well. Looking for advice. The thread above recommends using a long handled 3/8 ratchet in place of a breaker bar it my long handled 3/8 ratchets are the Koblat and craftsman flex heads and I don't want to a use a ratchet on a task where a breaker bar is more appropriate. However I have most often just used a 1/2 to 3/8 adaptor on my 1/2 breaker bar and that has gotten me by. I guess I really answered my own question. So is a 3/8 breaker bar something I should keep on hand?

 

[TexasT]

How are Kobalt 3/8" breaker bars?

http://www.lowes.com/pd_63457-1074-22802_0_?productId=1095163&Ntt=breaker+bar&Ntk=i_products&pl=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?newSearch=true$Ntt=breaker bar

Kobalt has both a chrome and a krinkle finish version. Any one have the krinkle finish version?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kobalt-3-8-Breaker-Bar-USA-22802-Square-/400660520263

I like this one. Not everyone like the "crinkle" but i do.

 

[ganymede]

.... So is a 3/8 breaker bar something I should keep on hand?

Sure. Even if you went and got the Mac breaker and kept both, how much space do they really take up ?
Just keep it. If you ever do need it it's already right there.

 

[bob15]

I like the long handled Snap On 3/8 drive. I use it almost every day working on injection pumps, mainly for braking cam pin bolts free. All torqued to 900 in/lbs (yes, 75 ft/lbs). Never had any issues.

 

[ClineWrench]

Looks like some good recommendations on here. I'm gonna throw my hat in the ring and say Cornwell. I really like the strength and the way the handle feels in my hand.

I have the non plastic handle version and it great. Especially where clearance is an issue.

 

[CZ_Greatwrench]

For 3/8 drive I have a smaller Wright, SK, and Armstrong. I can't say that I grab one over another. I only use them for those spots that you can't fit a ratchet head into or when manipulating a crowsfoot into an awkward spot.

For breaking loose smaller fasteners I just use a 1/2 drive breaker bar with a quality 3/8 to 1/2 adaptor.