Recommend a 1/4" Breaker Bar or Flex Handle

[apdxyk]

All,

Most of the ones I find are 5 inch in length. I have Wright Tool 2435 and it is well made, but a bit short sometimes - 5 inches again. Main purpose is not to break my ratchets dealing with tough rusty fasteners.

TIA

 

[T45]

> buy stronger ratchets
> truck brand breaker bar

pick one, $$ either way

 

[four.cycle]

they're all going to be about the same length. some are a bit longer - not much.



best deal you can find right now on a 1/4" breaker:

Herbrand 23006 1/4" breaker (two each)
new
$9.99 incl. shipping "buy now"
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2pc-HERBRAN...549931?hash=item54142a00eb:g:a70AAOSw1-RUZhZs

cheapest set of US-made 1/4" drive SAE sockets you can find:

Herbrand 9-pc 1/4" drive 6-pt socket set (3/16" - 1/2")
new. (Triangle era)(ad says used. both sets I got were brand new.)
$6.00 incl. shipping "buy now" (it ain't Snap-on but it ain't Chinese!)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Herbrand-So...466403?hash=item3613cd76e3:g:G8IAAOSwd0BV67oI

 

[anndel]

Maybe move to a 3/8" or 1/2" ratchet with a 1/4" adapter. If not just use a 3/8" or 1/2" ratchet with the appropriate socket.

 

[chrisnazzy]

TLL72 ........ 9" .............. $109.95

TLLF72 .......10 1/2" ..... $119.95

Rated for 90 ft lbs. Every guy who buys one wonders how he lived without it. Just sayin'

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[apdxyk]

Thank you all, who responded. I have excellent input now from the budget up to the elite level, and all approaches and products suggested go very well along with the main idea: the more well made objects, the better. Now I have more reasons (better known as excuses by our better halves) for a few more acquisitions. I love this board!

 

[Mr_B]

I would buy a flexi head extendable handle 72T ratchet at 9" max, works very well in many situatons and use on most fittings up to 15mm and 17mm when tight spot and never slipped or broke in 5yrs of almost daily use. It taiwan made and branded Werkzeug and sensible costing .
TLLF72 is also a great option but cost may not be everyones liking . they take some beaf too and slim profile makes them great for super tight jobs, one of those tools that makes the impossible possible or saves time and hassle .

 

[four.cycle]

Maybe move to a 3/8" or 1/2" ratchet with a 1/4" adapter.

^ that's always an option too.

best deal on a 3/8" female x 1/4" male adapter right now:

Herbrand (again!) 34000 adapter 3/8" x 1/4" (Triangle era)
new
$1.29 + $2.75 shipping OBO "buy now"
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-HERBRAN...279072?hash=item48621660e0:g:9aUAAOxy0bRTDjZH

(* seller has no shortage of them. I got 'em for a buck a pop and he will combine for shipping. )

* I should have noted on that photo above of the breakers: the bottom two are the Herbrand models. The Herbrand has a beefier handle (and shank) than any of my other 1/4" breakers (the older Indestro and Duro Chrome models being the skinniest.) Actually pretty well made.
The little Herbrand sockets are nothing special - just cheap. Definitely not "thin wall" stuff like S-K, Craftsman, Proto, or others.
If you're going to use one of those adapters, buy several (in any brand you choose.) They're just not designed to handle a lot of torque - doesn't matter who makes them.

 

[gdocktor3]

I have the answer to all your problems. It's a bit costly when compared to other options, but is priceless in every other regard. Its called the SNAP ON TRF72. It's 6" long, 72 tooth, quick release, flex head. You cannot and will not find a more superb tool for your situation than that. The going price for a lightly used TRF72 on eBay is around $50-60 bucks and $100 new. You have to trust me on this one. DO IT
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...3.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xtrf72.TRS0&_nkw=trf72&_sacat=0

 

[BK13]

TLL72 ........ 9" .............. $109.95

TLLF72 .......10 1/2" ..... $119.95

Rated for 90 ft lbs. Every guy who buys one wonders how he lived without it. Just sayin'

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

The TLL was my first thought... Also likely my next SO ratchet. (maybe FBF80...)

 

[johninct]

I think the Snap-On 1/4" Breaker Bar I have is like 9". It is a new product.

 

[T45]

i think the snap-on 1/4" breaker bar i have is like 9". It is a new product.

tm9g

• manufactured from special alloy steel, precision forged and heat treated for optimum strength and durability

• 50% longer handle – the longest in the industry–for increased leverage to handle stubborn fasteners

• up to 30 ft-lb of torque to help break loose frozen/rusted fasteners easier and faster

 

[theoldwizard1]

I got a 1/4" "breaker" bar with the Craftsman combo 1/4"-3/8" set I got for Christmas over 50 years ago ! I still use it a lot, because I never bought a 1/4" ratchet. The set had a 3/8" ratchet and a 3/8" to 1/4" adapter. The most valuable addon to that set was a 1/4" drive screwdriver handle with a female 1/4" on top. You could spin nuts on and off quickly and just add the breaker for a 1/2 turn when you needed more torque.

That set is what started me on my tool collecting journey ! Thanks Mom and Dad !!!

 

[md21722]

Sometimes the ratchet head won't fit. Another alternative may be the long 0/15 offset wrenches. Sets XDHFM606 metric & XDHF605 standard or similar.

 

[KnurledNut]

Ill just leave this here....FTW...

 

[apdxyk]

Yes, Mr Nut, that's a good one to close the thread. What is that, please?

Update: I already have the Wright Tool and Bahco breakers. Both are somewhat too short on occasion. I like the comfort grip of Bahco and the balanced heft of Wright. So, I slowly started to go up in length today by buying Nepros NBS2L and Nepros NBR290L, shall see how it goes and will adjust if necessary.

 

[KnurledNut]

apdxyk,
It is a brand that once was, but is no longer, Truecraft. Made in Japan.

I think you made good choices with the Nepros.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Truecraft 20137 - who knew?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Made-in-Jap...-dr-Flex-Head-Breaker-Bar-20137-/131067259971

looks like the ad's been pulled. maybe another one will come along.
the Japan-made Truecraft stuff was actually pretty good quality - we should have gone that way instead of with the "TAT" Taiwan-made Thorsen when we switched over from Indestro in the early 80's.

 

[nortryder]

It's remarkable that nobody manufactures a 1/4 inch drive flex handle longer than 6 inches long.

 

[mrjaw14]

Just about all the threads I see where a 1/4 breaker bars are mentioned many folks say they are useless. They work great with bit drivers, tight spots where you don't want to take something else loose to make a ratchet fit, etc. I happen to really like them and think they are very useful. I'd love to get that 9" Snap On one! Pretty awesome to see a thread where 1/4" breakers get some love!

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I have 2 one is a Tru-Test which I can’t find anything about online but it works nicely the other is a Vintage SK one and they are both the same size I use both of them almost daily sometimes and they are both great quality and stuff


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