SK 1/2 drive breaker bar

[Yankee]

I'm looking at getting a nice 1/2 drive breaker bar. SK has very high reviews that I've read, however they do comment that the bar will "bend" with high torque.

Anybody else experience that and if that is an issue?

 

[Fedwrench]

Are we talking the 24 inch model?

If so, i think everyone's 24 inch model flexes when leaned on. A bend wouldn't straighten out after leaning on it. I think you're better off with the stoutest 18 inch bar you can find. They don't seem to flex as much.

 

[AV tinker er]

I agree with Fed, a 24" should really be more of a 3/4 drive length.

 

[jmm]

I have the 18" bar with the grip on it. It's really nice, but it will bend. I've used it break bolts torqued at over 300 Nm, and I've had pipes on the end of it. It definitely flexes when I really lean on it, but it does the job just fine. Drive end is just as good as the day I bought it.

There are probably better breaker bars out there, but for my purposes I like the SK just fine. Won't be replacing it any time soon.

 

[basspro]

My dad has the 15" SK, new, and I have an old 15" Challenger "PROTO". Both have knurled handles and a slim head which I like, both are hell bent for stout too. I like a 15-18" bar best as I use it more than a ratchet often times, because often the machines I am working on provide alot of swing room, and I can use the bar like a spinner. The SK would be a nice bar for sure!

 

[chrisa7164]

I've had the Snap On 24 inch bar for 20yrs and never bent it.

 

[Loscaldazar]

I've had the Snap On 24 inch bar for 20yrs and never bent it.

Problem with the Snap On Bar is I can get a 24" SK, 18" sk, 10" SK and whatever size the 1/4 breaker bar is all shipped for the same price as the 24" snap on bar....

I was actually pondering this question yesterday on which breaker bar to get (snap On or SK). I decided on SK because of the price, and if you look at it in person, how stout it is. It is Hella thick on the shaft, yet the slim head design allows you to get in tight spaces. There are plenty of broken Snap 1/2 drive 24" breaker bars on this forum, along with every flavor of 24"+ breaker bar that is 1/2 drive (always the drive end, never the shaft).

In the end, any 24" breaker bar will flex when pushed to the limits. The fact that they don't snap or bend permanently shows they are quality.

I have the 18" bar with the grip on it. It's really nice, but it will bend. I've used it break bolts torqued at over 300 Nm, and I've had pipes on the end of it. It definitely flexes when I really lean on it, but it does the job just fine. Drive end is just as good as the day I bought it.

There are probably better breaker bars out there, but for my purposes I like the SK just fine. Won't be replacing it any time soon.

Where do you place the pipe on the bar? All the way slid up is the proper way, otherwise physics dictate that the bar will flex because you are adding another moment in there.

 

[chrisa7164]

That's true. The thing was he came to the dealership every week so it was $1 down $1 a week and the chase was on..

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I like the 24" bar. Not because I need the actual leverage, but because the leverage makes it easier when working. Would a 18" work with some muscle, sure, but the 24" works with less muscle. Work smart, not hard type of thing. I have all size breakers, and use them accordingly, but definitely ambitiously lazy.

 

[Yankee]

Thanks everyone,

I was also looking at the Armstrong bar too. I thought I read somewhere that they make the Craftsman Industrial full polish combination wrench set that I've been so happy with that I got last winter.

I see that Armstrong's handle is square however, would think it wouldn't be as comfortable to use than the SK.

I've considered the Gearwrench but would like to stay with a Made in USA....

 

[Pumpman1968]

I have an 18" Williams 1/2" bar that I think I might have paid all of $10 for........and it may flex a bit, but, not much. Damn things at least 20 years old. A longer one would definitely flex more than I would want.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Armstrong handles are actually really comfortable (at least on my ratchets). Not sure how they would feel on the end of a 17" breaker bar trying to put down 200+ ft-lbs.

Can only get it at 17" for the max length too...

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I have both 1/2 drive SK, Both are awesome.

 

[spacedoutbob]

I have a Snap On 24 Inch Breaker Bar that has worked well for me for over 35 years, I also
have a Snap On 36 Inch 3/4" Breaker Bar.

Bob

 

[nicksnothereman]

I'm looking at getting a nice 1/2 drive breaker bar. SK has very high reviews that I've read, however they do comment that the bar will "bend" with high torque.

Anybody else experience that and if that is an issue?

What kind of torque are you talking about? Really, that's the issue. Any fastener that requires THAT much torque to remove you should probably just loosen it with an impact wrench after applying heating/penetrating oil unless space is an issue.

I know what you're getting at removing nuts (such as an axle nut) with a cheater extension and the answer is: you don't do that with tools you plan on keeping for a long time. Taking shortcuts when it comes to mechanical work is always a bad idea especially on critical mechanical systems. My 10 cents.

It's definitely a nice bar and even though breaker bars are pretty much built in expectation for some abuse, there's only so much the bar is going to take. I'm surprised they would bend versus snapping the pin in the head though. That sounds like a cheater bar to me.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I like the 24" bar. Not because I need the actual leverage, but because the leverage makes it easier when working. Would a 18" work with some muscle, sure, but the 24" works with less muscle. Work smart, not hard type of thing. I have all size breakers, and use them accordingly, but definitely ambitiously lazy.

Bingo Dave

I have 1/2" drive breaker bars from 9 1/2" to 24" in length....This is not big moma pantyhose, where one size fits all


Mine are mostly ProTo, but also Old USA Craftsman, Wright, SnapOn, and one from the dime store...

Also have a 3/8" drive SK that I had back in the 60's,, Five brands that have served me well..

 

[Chadwilliam1]

Sk makes a 9" 1/2 drive breaker bar too. I figure at that length I will use a ratchet but there is no repair kit listed.

 

[jmm]

Where do you place the pipe on the bar? All the way slid up is the proper way, otherwise physics dictate that the bar will flex because you are adding another moment in there.

All the way on. I'd imagine it bends a little bit while I have a pipe on it, but it's mostly when I'm pulling on it without a cheater. It's got a slight permanent bend to it, but like I said, I'm not replacing it anytime soon. It's been my favorite bar for years.

 

[SK-Mike]

Has anyone used the SK 30" Breaker Bar? (model # 41656).

Considering a new 24" Snap On, but during my search I noticed that SK makes a 30" in the 1/2" drive size. The S.O. is $118 Vs the Longer SK at $70.

I've always been one to think Longer is better when it comes to wrenches, ratchets, etc. Would the 30" add a bit of leverage and benefit removing tough nuts?

 

[Fedwrench]

I have an SK 30 inch long 1/2 drive breaker bar and I like it

I feel it doesn't flex nearly as much as most 24 inch long models.

It also has a nice thick handle.. Shop around for the best deal.

 

[Infinia]

I've always been one to think Longer is better when it comes to wrenches, ratchets, etc. Would the 30" add a bit of leverage and benefit removing tough nuts?

necro
I'd rather have ~18 incher, it gets the job done 95% of the time, For the other tuff nuts i'll get out the 36" galvanized pipe. Extra Long cant get into tighter spots and storage for it maybe an issue. I reckon my pipe combo bends less than a 30" BB. If the longer BB is a much stouter tool id be 1st to sign up BTW they'll both grenade at the square 1/2 drive.

 

[Farmall 1066]

I'm 300# and have stood on my 30" SK.
They'all all bend!

 

[cliftonbros89]

I have both Snap On and SK. I've been very satisfied with both. I'd like to get a longer 1/2" driver SK for my service truck. I've had zero problems with SK breakers. Good product for the price. I also really like my 15" 3/8" SK as well as my XXL 3/4" SK. They might flex a little with a large amount of torque but I've never noticed them bending. I'd highly recommend any of the SK breaker bars

 

[Empty Pockets]

I have both a 24" SK and a 24' Snappy, A little flex is not an issue, it they were brittle, might be broken, by now

 

[jrockford]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004QXWJAQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This guy shouldn't bend. The shaft diameter is .850".

You'll need a 3/4" to 1/2" adapter of course.

 

[toolslut6.0]

Just get a 18 or 24 inch ratchet with flex head. Much better than breaker bar and mearly as strong

 

[Indexmill]

Guys, there is a big difference between "bend" and "flex".

Bend usually refers to a permanent set, like when bending a piece of sheetmetal 90 degrees.

Flex refers to moving under load but will return to the original position when the load is removed. Every structure flexes under load: flatbed trailers, bridges, skyscrapers and... breaker bars.

Any structure or bar will bend if loaded high enough.

I suspect that the OP was referring to a review by a person that did not understand the difference between the two terms. The reviewer and the OP probably meant "flex". I believe that if you "bend" a breaker bar that the manufacturer will immediately throw the ******** flag and tell you that the tool was abused. I have used pipes on all sorts of tools and seldom bent one. If I did bend it, I knew that I was abusing it and that it was going to bend.

Indexmill.

 

[johninct]

Get a 24" or even longer and you will be happier.

 

[gdocktor3]

I say get 18" and use pipe when necessary. I'd rather have an undersized tool that I can put a pipe on vs having a breaker bar that's too long to use in certain situations.

 

[67King]

My old (USA) Craftsman 18" is bent (permanently). I have a 24" SK that I love. But one of the reasons is that I can get more precise control over how much I move a crankshaft when I am setting cam timing.

 

[ChaseDE]

I would think they all bend, I have a 24" snap-on i got from my granddad that is probably 30 years old. I used it the other day to break the lugs on my benz and the shop had way way over torqued them, and they are old and rusty on top of that, that 24" 1/2" breaker was "flexing" for sure. I had all my 200lbs and then some on top of that thing breaking those lugs, car was rocking like crazy.

The bar didn't actually get deformed though, still looks good as new.

 

[T45]

For the most part you don't debate the metullurgy of a pipe.:

but when it comes to flexing vs permanent bend, the heat treat and alloy quality come into play

sort of pick your poison, lots of options will work.

 

[skruft]

I have an SK 18" with a soft grip, bought used long ago, that has been fine, but I have never put a pipe on it.

 

[WittHay]

The 18" breaker bars shouldn't bend. I have a 24" GearWrench and there is a slight bend in it. My thinking is that a 30" breaker bar will eventually bend. Metal can only flex so much before it doesn't return back to original shape