Sliding t-bars

[rick carpenter]

How well do sliding t-bars hold up to breaker bar duty? I have a full set of breaker bars but I thought some sliders would be a good addition.

 

[TwoInch]

never needed one. cant remember using one in any instance really.

 

[5lima30]

IME better than a rachet but not as HD as a breaker bar.

 

[jakemac]

I have crafty's in 3 sizes, 1/4". 3/8", and 1/2". I have only needed to use the 1/4" one. It was in a spot where the breaker bar wouldn't fit. Sliding the handle to the middle gave me just enough room to break the threads so I could use a thumb ratchet to finish taking the nut off.

Other than that, I'd rather use a breaker bar.

 

[Farmall450]

I didn't think cman still even made them, only experience I had was getting a bent one (looked like a pretzel) and returning it to Sears for a nice US breaker bar. Not a SO, but nice enough.

IMO you can always use an impact if short on space

 

[jakemac]

I didn't think cman still even made them .......

They may not make them anymore, IDK. Mine are all =V= series and are about the same age as I am. All in all, they're holding up better than I am.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

I have a few, never needed them

 

[rusty65]

They are really good for spinning fasteners on but not so good for high torque.

 

[Stooge]

I used to use them at work all the time ( tensile strength testing machines/ accessories) worked fine for spinning hex bit bolts in and getting them snug enough for setup before torquing them. They can be a little clumsy but i used them to break torque plenty of times without any issues. Cant remember ever using them on any cars though, im sure i have just cant remember.
Think they were Proto's, i still have a couple 1/2 drive ones

 

[sqaurelizard]

untouched in every set I have, haven't found a use for them yet

 

[SteveCh]

Mine haven't been used, but I wouldn't want to put a cheater on them or anything, good quality but not beefy.

 

[bobcatdan]

I personally think strength is about the same between a sliding t and a breaker. They simply fail in different ways. A sliding t will bend and the drive end will shear on a breaker.

 

[ex-x-fire]

Someone told me that a 1/4" drive t bar is good for breaking loose brake bleeders, they said use it in the t bar position, then apply force to both ends. I haven't tried it yet, I don't have one.

 

[Benji]

I bought one in 3/8 drive like 6 years ago and have never found a time to use it or a place where it was needed. Glad it was a cheap one.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Tap sockets with taps, the best use for t bars!

 

[jmm]

They are really good for spinning fasteners on but not so good for high torque.

I love them for this. I use my 1/4" and 3/8" t-bars (+ about 6" extension) as spinners all the time, especially when dealing with inhex or torx bolts that resist cam-out. Especially handy on disassembly/reassembly when dealing with lots of same-size bolts.

I don't have a 1/2" slider -- doubt I'd use it if I did. For what it's worth, I've seen many a bent slider for sale at flea markets.

 

[oilfieldtrash4]

I personally think strength is about the same between a sliding t and a breaker. They simply fail in different ways. A sliding t will bend and the drive end will shear on a breaker.

I agree with this. And honestly I'd rather the bar bend than the drive end shear off when putting major force to them.

 

[Jim C.]

I have an old Craftsman (=V=) 3/8 drive sliding T handle that I've never used even one time. I usually opt for a breaker bar.

Jim C.

 

[Big Pete]

I used them as breakers for years to save overloading my ratchets, finally managed to bust two in a row trying to pop a Rover driveshaft nut (sheered the square off) and finally bought a breaker bar which did the job. I still have T bars, they get used where I need to avoid side loads, or as a spinner mostly.