Ratcheting Breaker Bars

[Cummins_Tech]

Hi there, new to the forum, and since this has been weighing heavily on my mind for the past day or two, I figured it would be a suitable first post.

I've found myself wanting a nice 24"+ 1/2" dr dual direction ratcheting breaker bar. Mostly to pick up a little speed where my basic 1/2" dr breaker bar tends to be a little cumbersome and slow, especially on fasteners that are often caked in frac sand and 10 coats of paint.

Now, I could just walk out to the snapon or matco trucks and get one, but what I want to know is, what else is out there?? If I can get a comparable tool for a fraction of the cost, I'm always open to research it, especially something I might only use 3-4 times a week and is already a beefy tool to begin with.


Thanks in advance!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[PelicanPines]

I believe Snap-on has a ratcheting adapter... you would put between the breaker bar and the socket... sorry don't have the part number but it gives you a start to look for it or ask the snap on guy.

 

[franzdom]

I haven't gotten my head around ratcheting breaker bars, I mean isn't that basically just a ratchet?
I know they are different but I don't understand their raison d'être.
Snap-On makes a very nice 24" flex head ratchet.

 

[PelicanPines]

I haven't gotten my head around ratcheting breaker bars, I mean isn't that basically just a ratchet?
I know they are different but I don't understand their raison d'être.
Snap-On makes a very nice 24" flex head ratchet.

Yea... I just went with it... they do make a ratcheting adapter.

 

[Rarified27]

I have a ratcheting adapter made by Proto. It adds about 2" to the socket length, but it's effective. I don't use it more than 5ish times a year.

 

[Tonellin]

Not quite break bar length at only 18" but I reach for this all the time when working in wheel wells or tight spaces where I need leverage/ratcheting mechanism and can't fit a breaker bar. For the price you can't go wrong...

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-extendable-ratchet-62311.html

 

[Dave455]

In theory, because the ratcheting adaptor is much thicker, the ratchet is much stronger!

There may be something in that, I was always taught never to break loose a fastener with a ratchet as you may damage it. That's probably true of older ratchets, less so of modern ones, but I've never broken a ratchet adaptor, even old ones!

I use my ratcheting adaptors quite a lot, but seldom with a breaker bar! Mostly use them with a 'Sliding T' handle and extension, which makes a great combination to use with one hand!

 

[franzdom]

T-handle is a great reason to have ratchet adapters!

 

[edcantu9]

I use the HF Pro 1/2" long handled ratchet. Hasnt broken yet. I believe it is around $30.

 

[Mr_B]

how about a ratchet adaptor for the breaker bar you got, I use a snapon one once in while on old britool breaker bar when want get mean on stuff without knuckle busting.
Use it less as got a 20" telescopic swivel ratchet and a 24" pear head, both taiwan but good to over 500ft/lb and doing job fine .

 

[Cummins_Tech]

I haven't gotten my head around ratcheting breaker bars, I mean isn't that basically just a ratchet?
I know they are different but I don't understand their raison d'être.
Snap-On makes a very nice 24" flex head ratchet.

I suppose you are right. I'm just calling them what they're advertised as.

I'll look into the adapters, thanks for yalls input.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[48548]

These...




Or this toptul that can extend to be a 24" ratchet. I leave them in the cars for lugs...

 

[davethorik]

I haven't gotten my head around ratcheting breaker bars, I mean isn't that basically just a ratchet?
I know they are different but I don't understand their raison d'être.
Snap-On makes a very nice 24" flex head ratchet.

Nowadays they don't make sense, but back in the day when there were no 24" long 1/2 ratchets, you could easily put an adapter on a longer bar. Afaik no name brand mfrs makes a breaker with a built in ratchet, so HF or ratchet adapter it is.

 

[Mr_B]

Toptul gbae0201
FACOM SXL.171

 

[lilredex]

We have these on our side of the border, they have been on sale for $12.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mastercraft-ratcheting-breaker-bar-0589188p.html#Reviews

 

[48548]

Part number S77A is the current Snap-on version. They are not worth the $108 Snap-on price, but you can find them on Ebay for $50 or less shipped in very good condition. Older models sell used for a little cheaper and they had part numbers like S67, 67C, etc.


48548, it looks like Photobucket got you. I don't see your pics, only the dreaded pay up message from PB.

hmmm... The pictures work for me... My bad...

 

[T45]

Ratceting breaker bar is now called a snap-on 1/2 drive flex ratchet.

The adapters are still useful, but more in the context of T-bar breakers or non-ratcheting torque tools. The adapter with a straight breaker bar is IMHO obsolete expense. With a sliding T you get a more balanced tool for quick take off, but that is only 12 inches or so long as a breaker. Assuming you want 24-36 inches, the ratchet has alot more teeth, alot less stack-height, and you don't need to put it together/take it apart, and takes up less storage space.

Just playing devils advocate here ... , but its worth thinking about those tradeoffs

 

[kenfain]

Northern tool also has these, although I've never owned one, or known anyone who has. But they stock em in stores, so it's a cheap hf alternative.

 

[Bagherra]

I haven't gotten my head around ratcheting breaker bars, I mean isn't that basically just a ratchet?
I know they are different but I don't understand their raison d'être.
Snap-On makes a very nice 24" flex head ratchet.

My thoughts exactly....

 

[bsg1]

many just have to have one and never use it once it's been purchased. 10 years later when they are thinning out the herd, the adaptors are sold in like-new condition to the next lucky owner. that's good news for the swap meet treasure hunter that just has to have one. i've picked up Snap-on in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drives all in like-new condition and on the cheap. i also have a 1/2" drive Plomb example from the same swap meet.

 

[48548]

I have a couple snapon 24" ratchets, one locking and one non locking, but the reason I keep these around is for my snapon 36" breaker bar... Actually I do use them on that with the 3/4 version for 3/4 sockets like 34-36mm for changing out cv axle nuts... I only have a 3/4 socket to fit and use an adapter and then the 3/4 ratchet adapter from snap on as I don't trust the 1/2 version with all my weight on it... Works great.

 

[MikeF2316]

I haven't gotten my head around ratcheting breaker bars, I mean isn't that basically just a ratchet?
I know they are different but I don't understand their raison d'être.
Snap-On makes a very nice 24" flex head ratchet.

I agree, a ratcheting breaker bar is just a big, clunky ratchet with a long handle.

I guess the theory is the ratchet is still breakable when you overtorque it, where the ratcheting breaker bar isn't. But we all know that isn't true.