pry bars

[clark_nicholas]

I looking a buying a new set of pry bars. Is it worth the extra mony to buy brand name, or will the HF work just as good?

 

[Buckgnarly]

My HF handles broke shortly after buying them, they are now in my Jeep for the trail.

for the price you cannot beat the Cman pros....order the 4 piece set online for 60 (use coupons to bring that down) and you will not be dissappointed.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I bought soem el-cheapos many years ago at a truck tool sale, one of the semis thatdrive around and sets up at fiar grounds. I didn't have much money when I bought them years ago, but they have held up surprisingly well.
I did buy a set of the Cman prybars last year and they still to be doing fine too. I want to buy a set for the track box and will probably wait till I find something on sale.

 

[OldsRocket]

A tech at work has one of the really long HF pry bars and it seemed to work just fine. I have to agree with Buckgnarly though that the Craftsman bars are a great value and work well.

 

[rlitman]

I've bent my HF ones. For any particular length, they're thinner than the Cman Pro or SO that I also have.
I usually prefer the SO over the Cman Pro though, because they have "sharper" tips that can get into tighter places (but are probably a little more fragile because of that).

 

[amolaver]

the craftsman pro's (with the striking cap ends) are nice for the money. i think they are made by mayhew which are some of, if not, the best.

ahm

 

[smogtech]

try to get ones with striking caps they help alot. cman pros made in usa and easy to warranty. otc,snapon,matco are great to. the hf ones have cheaper metal they tend to flex causing loss of leverage.

 

[pipsters]

The Cman Pros I bought in the 5 pc set were $48 when I got them a few months ago. Looks like they don't even offer them anymore...kinda a bummer as those were a smoking deal.

There is the 3 pc still available:

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00943288000P

 

[Buckgnarly]

The Cman Pros I bought in the 5 pc set were $48 when I got them a few months ago. Looks like they don't even offer them anymore...kinda a bummer as those were a smoking deal.

There is the 3 pc still available:

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00943288000P

Use the Sears site, it's not great but better than their craftsman tool site....

I was mistaken earlier, it's the 5 not 4 piece set....wish I had gone that route but got the in store 3 piece set..

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947410000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

 

[pipsters]

Use the Sears site, it's not great but better than their craftsman tool site....

I was mistaken earlier, it's the 5 not 4 piece set....wish I had gone that route but got the in store 3 piece set..

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947410000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

They really need to get their **** together over there, thanks, that is the set I bought. It's funny when Google works better than the freaking actual companies web site. It shouldn't be a struggle to actually find a product on your site.

 

[RhodesSpeedShop]

I never trusted my HF one enough to really crank on it. Bought the Snap On striking set and love it. The 36 inch is a BEAST!!

 

[Uncle Ben]

I always hear very good reviews about the black handle pry bar set from HF, and I have seen many say that this particular set is the right one to get if you're getting a set from HF. I have the set and like them, but I have not pushed them hard enough yet to really say how good they are from personal experience.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/pry-bars/4-piece-heavy-duty-pry-bar-set-1654.html

 

[csmitty]

Dang, that 5pc set is a good deal. Prob would have gone for those over the 4pc SO striking set I just got, but he hooked me up pretty good. I also have the 4pc from HF as well. 2nd set actually as the first is in the Jeep now, some with cracked handles (beaten on) The SO is visibly quite thicker, will feel much better using them in high leverage spots. Love those hard handles too.

 

[shampoop]

Make sure and buy ones with striking caps on the end. I've seen many standard prybars with broken hanldes cause they always end up getting used with a hammer at some point.

 

[TozziWelding]

Buy good ones, I have OTC sleever bars, Snap-On handled bars, and Mayhew USA made rolling head bars. I do things to pry bars that would make an anvil cry, buy good and you won't die or seriously hurt yourself.

 

[dankicksass]

Th 5pc set from Craftsman Professional is the best deal around. They go on sale at about $45-50, order in-store for free shipping. Mine were drop-shipped direct from Mayhew.

 

[AL`]

I bought Mayhew pry bars from tooltopia. I can't say for sure, but I think Mayhew manufactures Cman pry bars. The USA stamping and product letter codes sure look similar and we know Sears doesn't manufacture it themselves.

I bought the Mayhew Tools (MAY61356) 3 Piece Heavy Duty Dominator Pry Bar Set first.

Later I purchased the Craftsman Professional 3-piece Curved-Blade Pry Bar Set Model# 61355-998 in the store. However, when I got home, I compared the feel of the Craftsman Professional pry bar with the Mayhew while applying prying pressure, and the Mayhew felt better. It gripped better, distributed pressure across the palm more comfortably, and the groove and lip for my thumb placement felt more natural and secure compared to the Craftsman Professional grip. These are nitpicks, and the Cmans are fine, but I think the Cman Prof handles are more suited to screwdrivers than pry bars. So I returned them and bought the equivalent Mayhew set: Mayhew Tools (MAY61355) 3-Pc. Dominator Pry Bar Set.

If I were looking for the best price and USA made, I would go with Craftsman Professional 5 pc. Curved Blade Pry Bar Set Model# 9-47410.

Now the Mayhew handles are molded in Taiwan, and the bars are forged and ground in the USA, and I would surmise that they are assembled in the USA. I like buying made in USA, but for me, the steel is the most important part of the tool so the grip being made in Taiwan wasn't enough to keep me from purchasing it on that note. And, in fact, I liked the grip better as stated above.

If I were looking for the best value, and not concerned about COO, I'd probably go with Sunex and skip HF. On balance, the CMan Prof 5 piece set is tough to beat. I was willing to pay a little more and get the two separate Mayhew sets myself. One note is that the CMan 5 piece comes with a shorter 10" pry bar that the smaller Mayhew Set does not come with. It has a 12" as the shortest. Snapon sells a set that has an 8" pry bar with it. I'm not sure if Sunex offers any pry bars with striking caps though.

 

[Rogue1987]

I have the 4 piece snap on set, I love it, I wish I had bought it sooner.

 

[diesel research]

The snap on bars are really the top of the line deal.

Especially since they are gonna hit the $99 special soon enough.

Everyone says ____ is good "enough".....but I haven't really cranked on them. Nonesense. The whole point of a prybar is to be cranked, beat, reamed on. If you don't need to do that, then chances are you don't need prybars in the first place. That's like boasting how strong a certain 1/2" ratchet is when the most stress it has ever seen is a plastic engine cover or battery terminal clamp.

Truth of the matter is, I have never financed off the truck, it only comes once a week, and I'm usually only around 3 other guys, none of which own any tool truck tools. When I make selective purchases off the truck it isn't for easy credit, peer pressure, or ease of access (i actually have to come in 2 hours early to catch him). Only buying when the real quality is there. Wasn't born with the knowledge their prybars are best, that came through a lot of trail and error and asking around.

It didn't take long to pick one up and be able to feel an actual difference. HF black handle ones are not acceptable if you need a prybar. I still keep one and use it regularly though. Not for prying. I cut a groove in it and use it to smack drum brake springs off and install the new ones. Not smacking or lifting any solid or semi-solidly fixed item.

 

[Outlawmws]

So since we are talking pry bars, anyone recognize who might make a bar numbered "5517" and "USA" (no other markings) and about 14-1/2" ling? all steel tapered point on one end and one of those hook style lifters at the other?

It's the only mechanic's pry bar I have, seems to be good quality, just no clue who made it.

p.s. Google was not my friend for this one...

 

[osborn.ozzy]

I can also give a thumbs up for the cman pro set

edit- I have the 5 Piece set fwiw
I also have the 4 piece HF black handle set and the cman pro set is far superior (at least double in thickness) the HF are also painted.... how long do you expect that to last?

 

[DrkMtnDew]

So since we are talking pry bars, anyone recognize who might make a bar numbered "5517" and "USA" (no other markings) and about 14-1/2" ling?

sounds like it could be a proto. i've got one.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

for my standard bar set i really like my Cman Pro's. for my Big bar (48'') i went with SO.

 

[sberry]

I have OTC sleever bars,

Every shop should have either a 30 inch OTC or a Klein, the guy that tuned it knew the exact angle to put on it and they are tough. Most of the time a small shop could get by with most anything but there are occasions its just the right tool.

 

[Danglerb]

I paid $7 for my set of HF black handle pry bars, $14 for an indexing ladyfoot from Gearwrench, and $19 for a 30" Estwing gooseneck. No issues except a very sore arm from misuse of the Estwing. I do keep my eyes open for a nice big strike thru, but haven't needed one yet.

 

[AL`]

The snap on bars are really the top of the line deal.

Especially since they are gonna hit the $99 special soon enough.

Everyone says ____ is good "enough".....but I haven't really cranked on them. Nonesense. The whole point of a prybar is to be cranked, beat, reamed on.

Wasn't born with the knowledge their prybars are best, that came through a lot of trail and error and asking around.

It didn't take long to pick one up and be able to feel an actual difference.

diesel_research,

Have you ever used Mayhew Dominator Pry Bars before? Also, do you think Snapon uses or specs a better alloy or heat treatment to make them better? I haven't used enough pry bars to say myself, and I thought Mayhew was the manufacturer for many tool brands. I don't know if Snapon is an original manufacturer for their pry bars or not? Also, do you find you use your 8" pry bar very frequently? I wasn't aware that Snapon had a $99 special. That would have been enough incentive to try them out, but at $170 regular price, I couldn't see the value being there for me.

 

[sberry]

http://www.service.kleintools.com/T... Bars STEELTOOL-CONSTRBAR-HEXBAR/Product/3242 I like the hex better than round, probably a personal preference mostly.

 

[osborn.ozzy]

do you find you use your 8" pry bar very frequently?

You wouldnt think so until you have one.... then all the guys in the shop ask to borrow after they bend their screwdrivers.

 

[diesel research]

diesel_research,

Have you ever used Mayhew Dominator Pry Bars before? No, I couldn't find them any dominator stuff until a few weeks ago. I was disturbed to see the USA with global parts label and loosely/poorly assembled handles. Visibly loose, so I didn't want to pound on it with a hammer and risk stuff flying. The shank end looked/felt like it was up to the task.

Also, do you think Snapon uses or specs a better alloy or heat treatment to make them better? Compared to who? I have no idea.

I don't know if Snapon is an original manufacturer for their pry bars or not? Lots of speculation going on here.

Also, do you find you use your 8" pry bar very frequently? MOST DEFINITELY!!! This is my favorite one because it tackles those light prying jobs that you used to break cman/stanley flat tip screwdrivers with. It also works for light duty chiseling. I am not sheering bolt heads with them nor carving granite, but it works quite well for a bit of weld slag, panels/covers stuck with adhesive, etc. Even works as a punch sometimes when a pin or ***** punch is not appropriate.

I probably use it more than my 18". My 18" was my next most used one, although the 24" still got plenty of use. Someone stole my 18" so now most all my prying and banging and scraping is done with the 8" or the 24". I find the 12" personally rather useless, and I believe it is completely unused after nearly 2 years of owning them. If you can only own 1, get the 8" and make your screw drivers last longer. The 18" is likely the next most useful.

Those hard handles are also wonderfully designed.

****I can't answer the heat treat or metallurgy question because I don't know which brands you are comparing to. They are far superior to any offshore offerings I have seen. Once you are into the USA arena, believe it or not, a lot of distinction lies in the handle, not only the shank. The red cmans are definitely more flexy, maybe that temper is designed to prevent snapping. Seems the tips are softer too.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

dieselresearch,

Have you ever used Mayhew Dominator Pry Bars before?

i realize this was a question to dieselresearch but i have used a Dominator before and it was a really good bar. it was a very sturdy bar that took a lot of abuse, as prybars are intended to do. the only reason i didn't get one was because i was able to find my 48'' SO for $75. if it came to pushing and shoving i don't think either one is better or worse than the other.

 

[AL`]

Have you ever used Mayhew Dominator Pry Bars before? No, I couldn't find them any dominator stuff until a few weeks ago. I was disturbed to see the USA with global parts label and loosely/poorly assembled handles. Visibly loose, so I didn't want to pound on it with a hammer and risk stuff flying. The shank end looked/felt like it was up to the task.

I have recently purchased two Mayhew Dominator sets from tooltopia with links to them in a previous post earlier in this thread. I can vouch for those particular sets in my possession and there is no looseness at all. The grips and their striking caps are firm and tight. I haven't used them yet though. You can read my post above but I really liked the grips in comparison to the CMan Prof Pry Bar grips.

As for made/assembled in the USA, here's my take on it. The Mayhew bar is forged and ground in the USA. It is stamped USA on it. The handle says moulded in Taiwan. I believe the handle is imported and then assembled to the pry bars made in the USA. It doesn't make sense to ship the bars to taiwan for assembly and then ship it back. Overall, I'd prefer the handle be made here, but it wasn't a deal breaker for me. The handle feels good to me, and better than the Cman Prof (that's subjective of course).

Also, do you think Snapon uses or specs a better alloy or heat treatment to make them better? Compared to who? I have no idea.

I was thinking Mayhew primarily. I knew it wasn't likely you'd know the answer. But in your post you'd mentioned trying a lot of them, so thought you might at least have given your impression of the bar steels' ability to hold up to use/abuse. I agree, that pry bars normal use is rather abusive.

I may have to look for an 8" Snappy on ebay or clist. Thanks for your response. Likewise to ozzy.

 

[jethro29]

pry bars are NOT something .that you want to skimp on. the results from a broken or bent pry bar can be dangerous and disasterous.spring for the striking s.o.'s and you will not regret it.

 

[dankicksass]

I have Snap-On bars, Craftsman Pro bars, Napa-branded adjustable ladyslippers, some really enormous stuff from when I worked on heavy tractors and a pile of generic Chinese **** bars that aren't worth their scrap price. The Craftsman Pro bars I got recently have impressed me and I'm confident they will do everything I ever ask of them without fail. They're repackaged Dominators, which are some of the best in the business, and I think they're every bit as good as the Snap-On they sit next to in the cabinet.

 

[AL`]

i realize this was a question to dieselresearch but i have used a Dominator before and it was a really good bar. it was a very sturdy bar that took a lot of abuse, as prybars are intended to do. the only reason i didn't get one was because i was able to find my 48'' SO for $75. if it came to pushing and shoving i don't think either one is better or worse than the other.

Thanks.

 

[bgott]

If you ever run across an old Chrysler torsion bar, grab it! They make one hell of a pry bar.

 

[RKSpeed]

http://www.tooltopia.com/otc-tools-8206.aspx

These get my vote.

 

[redwrench60]

Prybars.......one of the best automotive tools of violence in your arsenal, Buy well. Snap on striking cap

 

[Seanbev24]

The Mayhew prybars are pretty nice, but the Snap-On striking cap prybars are my favorite. I have them in 8", 12", 18" and 24", plus the regular handle in 36".

The 8" and 18" are the most used. I never thought there was a need for an 8" prybar until I got one. I use it all the time.

 

[Jeff]

I prefer Wilde. OEM to Cman and made in the US.

http://store.harryepstein.com/c/PryBars.html

 

[Refractometer]

Went for the Wilde (and some Precision Engineering double squares!). Thanks for the tip.