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Recommend me a 3/8" breaker bar

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plung

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Jan 21, 2012
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Do you generally stay away from cheap stuff for breaker bars? This is for home garage usage.

SK Hand Tool (SK 45152) $18.72
3/8" Drive 10" Flex Head Handle
http://www.tooltopia.com/sk-hand-tool-45152.aspx

Craftsman 3/8 in. dr. 10 in. Flex Handle $10.79
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00944363000P?sid=comm_sears_productpg

Kobalt 12" Breaker Bar $12.97
http://www.lowes.com/pd_337310-2232...rrentURL=/pl__0__s?Ntt=breaker+bar&facetInfo=

HF Pittsburgh 3/8" Drive 17" Breaker Bar $7.99
http://www.harborfreight.com/38-drive-17-breaker-bar-67931.html

TEKTON 1695 3/8-Inch Drive by 12-Inch $7.83
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NPPAES/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Matco B10FA3/8 X 10 IN FLEX HANDLE $58.15
http://matcotools.com/catalog/product/B10FA/3-8-X-10-IN--FLEX-HANDLE/

Matco B15EFHM3/8" DR 15" LONG BREAKER BAR $62.95
http://matcotools.com/catalog/product/B15EFHM/3-8-DR-15-LONG-BREAKER-BAR/

Snap-on F12LA Breaker Bar, 11 9/16" $58.95
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...5&group_ID=233&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Snap-on FHBB12 Breaker Bar, Soft Grip Handle, 13" $73.95
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...5&group_ID=233&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
 
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shampoop

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Screw all of the soft grip ones, and all of the ones you can't warranty easily, all for cheater pipe use.
 
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VinDSL

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Jan 5, 2012
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Arizona Uplands
Only thing I use a 1/2" bar for is removing axle nuts.

3/8" has a much better feel. I use it on lug nuts, so they pack plenty of power...
 
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nateplumb

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Jan 29, 2012
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sevnd3z28 said:
I don't have a 3/8 bar.....I figure if I need to use a breaker then I use a 1/2" bar.
Click to expand...

Agreed! I have a long snappy 3/8 ratchet and if it don't come lose with that it's time for heavier duty options.
 
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plinker

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I would get the S-K or Snap-on, depending on budget.

On the Craftsman one's, they tend to have the pin fall out. The older ones are better made (riveted, not pinned), and somewhat common.

I use a 3/8 breaker bar semi-frequently, either as a large hex key (with a bit socket) or as an off set wrench with a regular socket (has better clearence then a regular deep off-set wrench, IMO).

I dont usually use one to break anything loose, that normally means 1/2 drive anyway.
 
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cderalow

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Potomac, MD
I've got an older, shorter williams made version of the kobalt (USA stamped). I think mine is around 10".

used for every tire rotation
 
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pipsters

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I second the Craftsman for $11

New ones really aren't bad, plus its not like you're putting a ton of torque on it.
 
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Chrislols

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255
IMHO I'd get a
17" HF one for $6.30 after a coupon
and the 10" one from Craftsman for $10

Easily warrantyable and guaranteed for life, and the HF one is highly recommended
 
OP
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plung

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I need a 3/8" drive because I have an incomplete set of 1/2" sockets. 3/8" will be mainly used.

I was using my foot on a 3/8" ratchet to break free some bolts last weekend. It was on a MTF fluid drain and fill bolt on my Accord. After that, I decided I should get a proper breaker bar.

I'm leaning towards the SK, Craftsman and Snap-on F12LA (if I can get before next weekend).
 
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kartracer55

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Craftsman breaker bar's have a super beefy feel to them and the handles have a pretty large cross section to them which is nice. Unfortunately, the warranty might be an issue in the future with the whole china movement. For 10$, however, I'd be willing to take the risk.

As a side note, I have a 24" 1/2 drive SK that hasn't let me down (although it doesn't get used often thanks to my 1/2 gun)
 
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ajchien

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Los Angeles, stuck on the 60 freeway.
I'd consider getting a few in different lengths. My most used length is 15". It fits in my wheel wells. Longer than the starts giving me issues with handle clearance. Of course, the 25" length has bailed me out a few times.

Oops. Maybe never mind. My breaker bars are 1/2 drive.
 
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Deafautotech

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Indianapolis, Indiana
i am more considering to buy a matco 15" breaker bar... i already has craftsman and older model FV10 snap on but just not enough to use break loose in very tight area that i would keep jammed the matco or snap on ratchets while i am work for ford shop...

i has my matco guy to order it and let me look at it... i had been use matco 3/8dr 15" long handle but had to rebuilt twice...
 
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cotjocky

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Nov 21, 2011
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plung said:
I need a 3/8" drive because I have an incomplete set of 1/2" sockets. 3/8" will be mainly used.

I was using my foot on a 3/8" ratchet to break free some bolts last weekend. It was on a MTF fluid drain and fill bolt on my Accord. After that, I decided I should get a proper breaker bar.

I'm leaning towards the SK, Craftsman and Snap-on F12LA (if I can get before next weekend).
Click to expand...

If you like Craftsman...

Costs less than $6

9990000092738311


You can get one from most any tool maker.

If you are having to use your foot on a 3/8 ratchet and it's not a short (6") ratchet, you need to move up to a 1/2 ratchet or breaker bar.
 
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shampoop

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To all you 3/8" breaker bar haters, I just used my craftsman 3/8" breaker and a cheater today when removing the rear brake caliper brackets on a suby today. Worked great! Too small of a space to fit half inch stuff, and too tight for my 3/8" ratchet (shorter than the breaker bar/ cheater combo)
 
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Trucky

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I would have bought a 3/8" from craftsman (pretty decent price) but someone on here was selling a SK 1/2" as well as a ton of adapters and extensions, so I bought it all. I just use an adapter when necessary. Works wonderfully. And it has some character as well (beat up pretty good).
 
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dodge610

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I should probably not say this but you could look at the HF pittsburg pro one thats one of the three i have. Put it thru the paces and it has held up very well. Just for FYI I have the pitts pro a craftsman and a Matco one. They have all been beat on pretty well the PP has held up as well as the other 2. Go ahead guys flame away.
 
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Trucky

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dodge610 said:
I should probably not say this but you could look at the HF pittsburg pro one thats one of the three i have. Put it thru the paces and it has held up very well. Just for FYI I have the pitts pro a craftsman and a Matco one. They have all been beat on pretty well the PP has held up as well as the other 2. Go ahead guys flame away.
Click to expand...

Hah. Good sense in throwing your hands in front of your face before the **** starts flying, but honestly, I don't see a reason to flame that at all. It's cheaper, yes. But I've never heard anything bad about the HF breaker bars before.

Now, of course, I'm not in the automotive field or anything, so I might not get as offended about this kind of stuff as easily as some around here. I'm just a machinist. I'd take offense to someone telling me that the 10$ micrometer from HF will stand up to a Starrett or B&S :) But the breaker bars? Oh please.
 
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dodge610

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Trucky said:
Hah. Good sense in throwing your hands in front of your face before the **** starts flying, but honestly, I don't see a reason to flame that at all. It's cheaper, yes. But I've never heard anything bad about the HF breaker bars before.

Now, of course, I'm not in the automotive field or anything, so I might not get as offended about this kind of stuff as easily as some around here. I'm just a machinist. I'd take offense to someone telling me that the 10$ micrometer from HF will stand up to a Starrett or B&S :) But the breaker bars? Oh please.
Click to expand...

Funny you should say that about Starrett because that is all I own micrometer wise my brother was a machinist he is retired now but he taught me well on that end of the spectrum.:beer:
 
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davidj

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Georgia
I vote sk. I have one in 3/8 and I like it a lot. It has saved me a few times because you can get an angle on it that you couldn't get with a wrench.
 
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