New "Craftsman" adjustable pry bar!

[billymade]

The truck shipment came in and I was stocking today at work; I ran into a new tool that struck me as slightly gimmicky, a tad bizarre and at the same time interesting! Turns out this is a rebadged Gearwrench branded tool (what isn't these days?) but I thought this might be of interest to you guys here on this board. For some reason I can't find the Craftsman version on the Sears website, even though the one I was stocking was clearly packaged/labeled with the Craftsman brand.

GearWrench 2 pc. Indexing Pry Bar Set
Sears item# 00950811000 Mfr. model# 50811 $49.99
The position of the "foot" is adjustable at 13 different angles and depending on how durable this thing is, I could see it being useful in certain situations.
This is the description from sears:
"Feature innovative 180-degree, 13-position pivoting heads with pushbutton spring-loaded release and contoured grip handles. Adjustable bar features a button clutch release. "
They are sold in a wide range of sizes from 8" on the small side all that way up to 33"!!! The handle design is a dead ringer for a Snap-on breaker bar!

There are other sizes/amounts/types here: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_...eyword=adjustable+pry+bar&sLevel=1|2&sLevel=0

 

[ImportTuner]

I've been looking at the GearWrench adjustable pry bars for awhile; are they any good ... useful?

 

[bchee]

how does the head lock?

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Seems a good idea, but between my Snap-on 24" prybar and 18" aligning bar i've yet to find a base not covered.

once my 4-piece striking cap Snap-on set arrives, the 24" one in on my cart will have the end bent to ~70 degrees to cover one more base.

my 24" bar is possibly my most used tool. not only used for prying/levering but used a lot for checking bushings and play in joints. if i come accross a job that requires an indexable bar, i'll let you know!

 

[billymade]

I haven't taken one apart but you push in the circular part at the "foot", make the desired adjustment and let go to lock the foot.

 

[Joe B.]

I handled one of those a few weeks ago but I did not have anything to use it on at the time so I did not get to try it out. It seems like a very high quality and durable too. The one I handled was the same as the Gearwrench pictured but it did not have any markings at all.

These may not be rebranded Gearwrench tools. It may be that both GearWrench (Danaher) and Sears are buying from the same OEM in Asia.

 

[justinmc]

I have almost the same bar except it says Snap-On on the side of it and costs for sure a bit more than that! However I've had mine for awhile.. They come in handy if you are trying to pull or push something thats kinda buried back in there. Basically gives you an adjustment of the angle that you are prying at. Its a when you want it you want it tool.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=21064&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[vjquan]

What's the C-man price and where is it made?

 

[Stuey]

Yup, I saw these in the new catalog. They look good, but I'm not quite sure what I'd use them for.

 

[billymade]

I didn't look closely but I will check when I go to work tomorrow; I would assume USA but at this point you never know! Snapon has one! ****! Another Danaher copy of a good tool! LOL!
One, thing I did notice though was the Danaher model goes up to 33"; while the biggest from Snapon is a 24".

 

[MAD]

I would not jump to any conclusions. The ones on the Snap-on site are listed as brand: "Not branded".

 

[billymade]

Here is a pic of the Snapon version:

This version differs quite a bit and the shape of the "foot" in particular is totally different!

 

[eschoendorff]

What's the C-man price and where is it made?

Same thing I was thinking.....

this was all I could find....

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_...eyword=adjustable+pry+bar&sLevel=1|2&sLevel=0

 

[DavidtheDuke]

Danaher does not make those. I forget the name, but they're their own company (I think). I believe they also made the first indexable head ratchets for Snap-On. I knew SO had these for awhile, but my dealer said they weren't warrantied and I wasn't about to buy a $90 prybar for it to be not warrantied (though I can kind-of understand considering it probably can't take half the load of a fixed prybar). They are made in the USA too I believe (Snap-On's PDF of those prybars said that, and that makes sense since the company is based here too).

 

[chad s]

I saw the snap on ones on the truck when they first came out almost a year ago. I remember the handle saying snap on in the same location as a ratchet handle would.

 

[chad s]

once my 4-piece striking cap Snap-on set arrives, the 24" one in on my cart will have the end bent to ~70 degrees to cover one more base.

Just curious how your going to bend it? The tempered steel might break if bent that far. If you use heat, you will lost the temper of the steel.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Just curious how your going to bend it? The tempered steel might break if bent that far. If you use heat, you will lost the temper of the steel.

i was going to use heat. wasn't aware that it'd lose strength. to be honest, i never put much strain on this bar, if i need lots of leverage i use my 30" 7/8" stock crowbar. that thing won't ever flex.

for the 24" bar, i was going to put the pinched end in a vise, heat it and bend it.

if it's dangerous, might have to reconsider.

 

[chad s]

i was going to use heat. wasn't aware that it'd lose strength. to be honest, i never put much strain on this bar, if i need lots of leverage i use my 30" 7/8" stock crowbar. that thing won't ever flex.

for the 24" bar, i was going to put the pinched end in a vise, heat it and bend it.

if it's dangerous, might have to reconsider.

When you heat it, then bend it, and allow it to cool, you will be annealing the metal. It will be quite soft in the re-worked area.

So the opposite of that process would be to heat, bend, and then quickly quench it in water, which will harden the steel. This will make the steel quite brittle, which could be dangerous, but will most likely result in breakage very soon.

Heat treating steel is a very complicated process. Allong with the alloy choice, thats why Snap on pry bars are thinner than Craftaman ones, yet are just as strong. Thats why Snap on screwdrivers are so tough. Snap-on's (along with many manufacturers) heat treating processes are well refined.

Im not a metalurgist, but I'm not sure you could do this modification, and restore the proper temper to the steel with just basic stuff you have around the shop.

 

[PAToyota]

Here is a pic of the Snapon version:

This version differs quite a bit and the shape of the "foot" in particular is totally different!

Looks pretty much the same to me and the foot just looks to be rotated 180 degrees... Slightly different handle and the Gearwrench has the two flanges on the foot while the Snapon has the two flanges on the handle for the pivoting joint.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

it'll just be a second 24" bar then. don't fancy having that thing shatter in front of my face.

 

[chad s]

it'll just be a second 24" bar then. don't fancy having that thing shatter in front of my face.

If you bend it and let it cool on its own (No quenching), than it wouldnt shatter under stress, it would just bend at the re-worked area. Worst case, you bend it back. But it will not be nearly as strong as it originally was.

 

[Uncle Buck]

i was going to use heat. wasn't aware that it'd lose strength. to be honest, i never put much strain on this bar, if i need lots of leverage i use my 30" 7/8" stock crowbar. that thing won't ever flex.

for the 24" bar, i was going to put the pinched end in a vise, heat it and bend it.

if it's dangerous, might have to reconsider.

When you heat it, then bend it, and allow it to cool, you will be annealing the metal. It will be quite soft in the re-worked area.

So the opposite of that process would be to heat, bend, and then quickly quench it in water, which will harden the steel. This will make the steel quite brittle, which could be dangerous, but will most likely result in breakage very soon.

Heat treating steel is a very complicated process. Allong with the alloy choice, thats why Snap on pry bars are thinner than Craftaman ones, yet are just as strong. Thats why Snap on screwdrivers are so tough. Snap-on's (along with many manufacturers) heat treating processes are well refined.

Im not a metalurgist, but I'm not sure you could do this modification, and restore the proper temper to the steel with just basic stuff you have around the shop.

I think this thread is screaming for Elroy, or perhaps OCG or better still, both of them! I know just enough to be dangerous!

 

[eschoendorff]

I think this thread is screaming for Elroy, or perhaps OCG or better still, both of them! I know just enough to be dangerous!

Remember Franz???

 

[billymade]

I did some detective work at Sears today and came up with this info:
Craftsman "Locking flex pry bar"
43297 24" $59.99
43296 16" $39.99
43295 5" $29.99
They are marked "lifetime warranty" (on the plastic merchandising hanger), "made in taiwan", "patented" and had a "-W-" marking on the handle as well.
The bar has a black oxide finish has two machined areas on the foot with the craftsman logo on this part; the handle is less ergonomically "shaped" compared to the gear wrench and the Snap-On version!

 

[nissan_crawler]

i was going to use heat. wasn't aware that it'd lose strength. to be honest, i never put much strain on this bar, if i need lots of leverage i use my 30" 7/8" stock crowbar. that thing won't ever flex.

for the 24" bar, i was going to put the pinched end in a vise, heat it and bend it.

if it's dangerous, might have to reconsider.

mild heat and a hydraulic press. I've done it many times, never had one issue. The older nissan hardbodies and pathfinders only came with passenger side tow hooks on them. I've heated and bent many of them in the press for myself, my dad, and others, and not one has ever failed, and the guys that have them use them hard. I've personally watched a 2" diameter tow rope stretch to under 1" diameter on the hook, and never had it failed.

Even if something happens, it'll bend, not break. Do NOT put it into water. Even plain heat would be fine, it'll just bend easier, but it's not going to shatter.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Remember Franz???

Yup, if he could have answered without kickin you in the nuts it might have been worth it!

 

[jay50]

I'll be interested in a 3 piece set of these when they go on sale or clearance for $14.99

 

[Uncle Buck]

I'll be interested in a 3 piece set of these when they go on sale or clearance for $14.99

And I thought I could be a tight ***! I would give say 30-35 for a 3 pc set.

 

[eschoendorff]

And I thought I could be a tight ***! I would give say 30-35 for a 3 pc set.

Well, just think... you've made it this far without them....

I'll wait until they go down to $9.99

 

[wilbilt]

They are marked "lifetime warranty" (on the plastic merchandising hanger), "made in taiwan", "patented" and had a "-W-" marking on the handle as well.

"-W-" must stand for "Western Forgery".

 

[Joe B.]

Oddly enough, I stumbled upon this today. I should have included a ruler in the picture. It is about 12" long when fully extended.

Stamped on the handle is the following:

PBMP 14 Blue-Point
WARNING WEAR SAFETY GOGGLES
DO NOT STRIKE
PAT PEND MADE IN USA

I find it strange that the handle looks different from the one the Snap~on website and that it is stamped as Made in the USA. I have now handled both this one and a Gearwrench/Craftsman version and I'm sure they are from the same basic design even if they may be manufactured in different factories. In addition, I found the patent that is referenced on the handle. There is no question that the patent is for this tool. Oh, I paid $3.50 for the pry bar...nice.

<a href="http://www.google.com/patents?id=qfuBAAAAEBAJ&zoom=4&dq=pry+bar+adjustable&as_psra=1&pg=PA3&ci=59,418,869,545&source=bookclip"><img src="http://www.google.com/patents?id=qfuBAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA3&img=1&zoom=4&hl=en&sig=Ogo6JGre4pzvE4e7f-03Q2qsdys&ci=59,418,869,545&edge=1" border="0" alt="12 20 "/></a>
<a href="http://www.google.com/patents?id=qfuBAAAAEBAJ&zoom=4&dq=pry+bar+adjustable&as_psra=1&pg=PA3&ci=59,418,869,545&source=bookclip">Adjustable prying bar Pi-Hsia Chang</a>

 

[sjotis]

Danaher does not make those. I forget the name, but they're their own company (I think). I believe they also made the first indexable head ratchets for Snap-On. I knew SO had these for awhile, but my dealer said they weren't warrantied and I wasn't about to buy a $90 prybar for it to be not warrantied (though I can kind-of understand considering it probably can't take half the load of a fixed prybar). They are made in the USA too I believe (Snap-On's PDF of those prybars said that, and that makes sense since the company is based here too).

These are supplied by Danaher from facilities in Taiwan and China.

 

[DavidtheDuke]

These are supplied by Danaher from facilities in Taiwan and China.

http://image.snapon.com/international/pdf/pbmp703a.pdf

So you're saying they're lying there? Or do you mean the Craftsman/Gearwrench ones?

 

[Elroy]

I think this thread is screaming for Elroy, or perhaps OCG or better still, both of them! I know just enough to be dangerous!

Remember Franz???

Now hold up there.
Sure Elroy is jerk like but to compare him to the great Franz
That's quite a complement........................................
or an insult. Depending on ones point of view.

As far as using heat to bend a piece of steel. It depends on how high the temperature is.

Heat a piece of steel white hot and sure you'll take every bit of strength right out of it and "anneal" it. But you don't need to heat something that high to bend it and for steel to "shatter" it needs to be hard. Hard like a file.

Elroy doesn't really get where the bend is desired.

Anyways thanks for the insult / complement. Pre-she-eight you thinking of Elroy when the discussion reaches new lows.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Now hold up there.
Sure Elroy is jerk like but to compare him to the great Franz
That's quite a complement........................................
or an insult. Depending on ones point of view.

As far as using heat to bend a piece of steel. It depends on how high the temperature is.

Heat a piece of steel white hot and sure you'll take every bit of strength right out of it and "anneal" it. But you don't need to heat something that high to bend it and for steel to "shatter" it needs to be hard. Hard like a file.

Elroy doesn't really get where the bend is desired.

Anyways thanks for the insult / complement. Pre-she-eight you thinking of Elroy when the discussion reaches new lows.

Glad to hear it cheered your soul ol top!

 

[eschoendorff]

Now hold up there.
Sure Elroy is jerk like but to compare him to the great Franz
That's quite a complement........................................
or an insult. Depending on ones point of view.

As far as using heat to bend a piece of steel. It depends on how high the temperature is.

Heat a piece of steel white hot and sure you'll take every bit of strength right out of it and "anneal" it. But you don't need to heat something that high to bend it and for steel to "shatter" it needs to be hard. Hard like a file.

Elroy doesn't really get where the bend is desired.

Anyways thanks for the insult / complement. Pre-she-eight you thinking of Elroy when the discussion reaches new lows.

not comparing, just stirring the pot...

 

[Uncle Buck]

not comparing, just stirring the pot...

Now that is a relief!

 

[sjotis]

http://image.snapon.com/international/pdf/pbmp703a.pdf

So you're saying they're lying there? Or do you mean the Craftsman/Gearwrench ones?

I mean the Craftsman / GearWrench ones...