Tool Breakage Frequency

[John in OH]

This question is mainly for professional mechanics that wrench day in and day out ....

There are numerous threads here on GJ that show a wide range of tool failures, but I'm curious as to how OFTEN it actually occurs. I'm not a professional and only a moderate wrencher, but in my 63 years I can probably count on one hand the number of tools I've actually broken ... and those were mainly due to mis-use and/or abuse (usually a cheater pipe!). (And not counting typical stuff like broken wooden hammer handles, buggered Philips screwdriver ends, worn-out ratchet gearing, etc., that we all encounter)

So, for you pros:

1) How often do you actually break a tool?
2) What task were you performing when you broke the tool?
3) What type of tools usually fail?
4) Is it common to break hardline tools such as combo wrenches, etc?

 

[ClrkLndeKmt'su]

I've broken a handful of sockets in 5 years, all chrome, all while using am impact.
One snapon 1/4 inch ratchet busted because I was using it on rusted 14mm head exhaust bolts and I pushed as hard as I could.
Never had a craftsman, snapon or gearwrench wrench fail, even double wrenching and "hammer wrenching". Otherwise its been uneventful, and im 6 foot, 230lbs, in case someones says I'm not big enough to break things.

Sent from my greasy Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk

 

[Brownsfan]

I have never seen so many so concerned with a tools warranty until I got to this site. Tools fail at a alarming rate according to some here. It's to the point the government should step in and get involved.

 

[Fretters]

Don't classify as a daily grease monkey, but the only thing I can ever remember breaking was a ratchet ended ring spanner, and that was due to an error on my part, not the spanner as such. Put it on a bit skewiff, working blind, and what I thought was the nut moving was actually the head plates bending.

 

[ex-x-fire]

Cracked impact sockets are common. I broke a snap on 12 pt long 17mm wrench by hand. I was loosening(pushing my shoulder) a caliper bracket & heard a sharp crack. It cracked at the box end in between the points.
I seen a guy bend a matco wrench by hand, he was a big o' boy too.

 

[bobcatdan]

Can't even think of the last time I broke a socket. I broke a 1/4" ratchet this week out of blue. I'm slowly warranty out one 1/4" wobble extension at a time because the detent ball don't hold sockets on very well over time. Not too much else breaks these day. Over time the stuff that broke a lot has been filtered out.

 

[AV tinker er]

When I turned wrenches for a living I only ever broke a 1/4" universal. It was a CM being used in a tight area on a bolt that probably needed a 3/8"

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

So, for you pros:

1) How often do you actually break a tool?
very, very rarely

2) What task were you performing when you broke the tool?
Removing a fastener

3) What type of tools usually fail?
allen and torx drivers

4) Is it common to break hardline tools such as combo wrenches, etc?

I occasionally overwork and explode the guts of a ratchet - I can usually feel it about to happen. I have not broken a single good name brand wrench in my career (broke HF **** regularly when I was newbie and bought a bunch of that ****). I do attribute this more to a decent sense of the work I am doing more than the tools, though -- you work wrenching everyday for a while and you can "feel it", you know when it's time to back off on the chrome wrenches and reach for the "flame wrench" or a cut-off wheel.
For sockets and such, there's stuff you should not bother with - go for the strongest tool available --- that reminds me of my new "kid" I have been training this week: He asked me to borrow a 3/8 breaker bar for something I told him to do. I said "Nope, don't own one." he asked "Why not?" I said "Because, if I have to put that much force into the work, then I'm using a 1/2 drive tool anyway."

 

[dankicksass]

I break a 21mm extra thin wall impact about every 60-90 days. I bend a 10in SO locking plier so it's non-useable about every 6mos. I ruin a Stanley demolition screwdriver about that often too. Aside from that, breaking my tools is pretty random.

Edit: when I was using Gearwrench, Craftsman and other cheap stuff as my primary means of supporting myself, I broke stuff all the time. I learned my lesson. Cheap tools are worthless.

 

[56FordGuy]

I broke a SO 9/16 wrench, don't remember what I was doing. Broke a tooth in a 1/2" SO ratchet, probably abusing it. Had a new guy break the end off a Matco 1/2" breaker bar.

It's been a while since I broke any decent quality stuff.

 

[bobcatdan]

I broke a SO 9/16 wrench, don't remember what I was doing. Broke a tooth in a 1/2" SO ratchet, probably abusing it. Had a new guy break the end off a Matco 1/2" breaker bar.

It's been a while since I broke any decent quality stuff.

Before they redesigned the end, matco breaker bars (and Armstrong) had the exact same drive end as a craftsman. Those were so weak it was laughable. Last time I broke my 24", I traded up to their new 30". That is one tough *** bar.

 

[Rico.]

I have never seen so many so concerned with a tools warranty until I got to this site.
Tools fail at a alarming rate according to some here. It's to the point the government
should step in and get involved.

I was beginning to think it was me....

I have only ever broken ONE cheapy socket in my life as a DIYer, and that was
because I only had 3/8 stuff and it really needed 1/2... So it was abuse.

It was that moment that caused me to build my little workshop and kit it out with
really high quality hand tools... I don't regret doing it at all, but that one little cheap
socket actually ended up costing me thousands of £££

The flip side is... All the many jobs I have done in the years since have been a joy
and not a struggle. I almost wanted to hug my impact wrench the first time I just
wizzed off a crankshaft pulley bolt....

 

[rtole]

I live in a rusty area that uses alot of road salt. Someone earlier said you get a "feel" for when its time to stop. I know I do . Not to say stuff still does not break, but its less than it used to be, just cause it ends up half the time the fastener, so that makes the job worse. That said I was doing an ball joint and the nut was froze in.....no room for socket or impact. The snap on guy walks in. I told him he was just in time to see me break a 18mm wrench (flank drive plus) he said if I could even bend it, that weeks payment would be covered. I handed it to him split. He watched. Saw I only had a shop rag in my hand( for cushsion) He wasnt happy, but not about to argue with me at that point.

 

[finn]

Not a pro by any stretch, but I've broken a half dozen thin wall sockets, a couple of imported (HF type) breaker bars, a couple of cheap 3/4" to 1/2" adaptors (usually with a cheater bar), HF PVC cutter, several cheap screwdrivers, an SK 1/4 ratchet mechanism (probably 40 years old) a couple of 1/4" and 3/8"Craftsman RP ratchets (repaired or replaced by sears), multiple torx bits, and several wood splitting maul, tile scraper, shovel, hoe and axe handles. Also a Skill 4 1/2" angle grinder and a Craftsman harmonic balancer puller (replaced but no longer branded Craftsman), 2 B&D cordless drills, and an imported 6" vice.

I've worn out several screwdrivers some of which are Craftsman which I could return for warranty, but since they are 20 years old I don't feel Sears owes me anything.

Looking back, warranty doesn't really mean anything to me, as even good tools wear out eventually and I don't think a warranty should apply to that type of failure. Sockets crack if misused, but the Craftsman sockets are so inexpensive it's not a big deal. The Cheap import stuff (HF) can be returned for warranty, but the next one will fail too, so what did I gain by replacing junk with junk. I've never broken a Snapon socket or rachet, but I don't like their sockets so they mostly sit in the back of the box. I will search out my Snapon flex head 3'8" rachet. It's my favorite.

 

[56FordGuy]

Before they redesigned the end, matco breaker bars (and Armstrong) had the exact same drive end as a craftsman. Those were so weak it was laughable. Last time I broke my 24", I traded up to their new 30". That is one tough *** bar.

I wound up trading off the Matco bar, never could track down a truck and never bothered to call them about it. Replaced it with a 36" SO breaker bar.

 

[Hammell]

A 3in 1/2 snap on impact extension. twisted the end off.
3/4 drive 1 5/8 socket (chrome on impact gun).
Snap on screwdriver Philips number 2. surprised it broke.
Mastercraft 24 in breaker bar, (3foot snipe) was more of a durability test! Impressed.
15 in Snap on 1/2 Ratchet. a few teeth broke
Husky 18in flex head ratchet, (broke a couple times (teeth).)
Cheap no name 3/4 sockets (princess auto) and Ratchets.
Snap on stricking pry bars (18 in, 24 in ) handles explode in the cold. boo

Broke a few 3/8 sockets in my youth when I should have been using 1/2 or some heat.

A few torque bits (t-30) is common in my work.

If your smart about it you wont break as many things as when your younger, not as patient. Or use heat, sprays, oils etc. Ones bag of tricks gets larger.

 

[west wind]

It all breaks. In my field if its not breaking, its wearing out. Start putting your tools throught some serious work and you will appreciate a warranty. Start taking apart wrecked cars, beating on frame with hammers, and using your hands till they feel like rusty pliers. Lol

 

[efb16acrx]

Other than poor quality tools, I typically know if I am going to break something before I use it. In other words, abuse.

 

[treblarefils]

Yeah when I know im gonna misuse or possibly damage something that's when I bust into the extras cheap stuff pile. I have only ever broken 1 socket and it was misuse hammering it on a stripped bolt head with a ball peen hammer lol. I have also broken 3 1/2 to 3/8 stepdown adapters with 1/2 inch breaker bar on lug nuts which is misuse. they were all craftsman and all replaced free. I have had good luck though using the correct tools for the job lol.

 

[czgunner]

While not "broken" I've SPREAD several Snapon wrenches trying to move frozen tie rod end jam nuts.
I've mostly broken torx (gold Snapon), and a few Mac stubby ratcheting wrenches.

 

[Hiball]

While not "broken" I've SPREAD several Snapon wrenches trying to move frozen tie rod end jam nuts.
I've mostly broken torx (gold Snapon), and a few Mac stubby ratcheting wrenches.

Lol.. Stubby Ratcheting wrenches? You a Bad Man......

 

[xtremek]

Back when I wrenched for a living and was starting out, it was a weekly trip to Sears. As I traded up to SO, MAC and Matco, it tapered off. With Craftsman, the open end of the wrenches spread pretty easily. The chrome peeled on the ends of the Cman sockets. And the Cman ratchets wore the gears out. Once I upgraded, the warranty claims dropped to almost nothing. I did wear out a SO 3/8" drive 9/16" swivel impact socket and wore out the roll pin on a large SO torx socket. Since I quit wrenching, nothing but worn out gears on Cman ratchets. I would say that the heavy use I put the Cman ratchets through back when I turned a wrench, they held up decent enough for me not to complain. But not now. They can't seem to take any load anymore.

 

[czgunner]

Lol.. Stubby Ratcheting wrenches? You a Bad Man......

It was totally tool abuse (told the Mac guy), but the only way to get the job done.

 

[Bikes&Bowties]

I wrench as a pro. All failures have been due to miss use but you gotta get the job done. In the past year I've broke a Matco magnet (bent it while extended) a sunex 15 mm combo wrench (Used another wrench to cheat it and broke off one jaw of the open end). And I've yet to break my harbor freight breaker bar... Multiple times I've thought so but no dice.. And a 10mm 3/8 drive Matco chrome socket with chrome peeling off. Used it on an impact.

 

[Hiball]

I suspect the #1 thing I tend to break is Hex/Torx drivers and my Hand impact bits, They tend to be the most abused tools I have and honestly I consider them consumables. I cant remember the last time I split a Socket, Although I don't work on stuff where I find myself needing Chrome on Impacts. The Worst and most devastating Breakage I can remember was when a EL Cheapo 24" Extension gave way with me on the other end, Not only did it Slam my whole upper body into a Cross member, It also put me up close and personal to the Jagged end of the Broken extension. Ill be the first one to admit, There is a Learning curve with knowing what the Correct tool for the job is. I spent a lot of my Early Wrenching swapping tools out at Sears because I chose incorrectly. I Suspect if we are being honest, There have been lots of Scrap Metal created because of laziness or lack of Knowledge, With that said.. I fully realize this is the internets where everyone is dating a supermodel, Retired at 35, Never paid a dime of Interest and made there first million at Age 8.

Carry On..

 

[basspro]

I break hex sockets most frequently, I pretty much wear them out first though. Next would be pick, then Id say punches and chisels. The snap on scrapper/chisels I go through pretty often, but Im not nice to those. I wear out a good tape measure every 6-12 months. Otherwise its pretty random. Ive only broken 2 sockets, both were abused. I did break a 1/2"x9/16" Snap-On combination box wrench once, couldnt believe it. Box end just snapped like nothing, but they took care of me.

 

[not-required]

I've broken only 2 sockets and they were chrome on an impact. A couple of screwdrivers. The other week I think we broke every fan removing tool in the shop trying to break loose a fan on a T444E.

I loose tools more than I break them. I lost two snap on 1/4" drive 10mm semi deep sockets in two weeks and those aren't cheap to replace.

 

[ibedayank]

tips on screwdrivers until I bought some Sk

 

[jsaw]

I wear out as many tools as I break, and a lot of the ones that break are because I abuse them. I do not break nearly as many as I did 20 years ago . On the other hand None of todays tools are as good of a quality as they were 20 years ago. I have some snap on sockets that are over 20 years old that are not as good as some that are a year old.

I had a nearly new snap on 13 MM impact socket that the end flared out and slipped off the head of the bolt. I took an old socket, and it got the bolt out .

 

[Lhorn]

I have never seen so many so concerned with a tools warranty until I got to this site.
Tools fail at a alarming rate according to some here./QUOTE]

+1


Not a pro but the only hand tool I've broken during routine, correct use were torx bits.

 

[Outlawmws]

I'm not a pro, but I've still broken a dozen or so tools over the 45 years I've been wrenching. I can't say any but one were from abuse. (my dad's vise and a cheater on a strut bushing... I was about 16.) Most of these were Craftsman one Proto/Challanger.

I've done about as many where the chrome plating was peeling and the companies took care of it.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Not a pro, but torx bits are the only tool that I have broken, Blew up a air nailer but it was my fault, Was running the air too high....Richie

 

[cbalthazor]

I occasionally overwork and explode the guts of a ratchet - I can usually feel it about to happen. I have not broken a single good name brand wrench in my career (broke HF **** regularly when I was newbie and bought a bunch of that ****). I do attribute this more to a decent sense of the work I am doing more than the tools, though -- you work wrenching everyday for a while and you can "feel it", you know when it's time to back off on the chrome wrenches and reach for the "flame wrench" or a cut-off wheel.
For sockets and such, there's stuff you should not bother with - go for the strongest tool available --- that reminds me of my new "kid" I have been training this week: He asked me to borrow a 3/8 breaker bar for something I told him to do. I said "Nope, don't own one." he asked "Why not?" I said "Because, if I have to put that much force into the work, then I'm using a 1/2 drive tool anyway."

This! I wrench professionally on heavy equipment as well, and the only thing I have broken/bent is a flat tip screw driver that I shouldn't have been using for a prybar and mini-picks which I also should not have been using the way I should have. I've got 95% Snap On/Williams/Caterpillar. A friend of mine has a supervisor at another shop who always says, use the right tool for the right job. When you're in the shop daily, and rely on your tools, I personally try to oversize it if I can so I don't wreck things. That said, I use my FLF80 for a lot, and am getting near a rebuild on it- but that's wear and tear.

 

[crewchief888]

i've broken more truck brand sockets in the past year than i have in the past 30 years.

but most of the sockets that were broken were 25-30 years old, and had been misused in the past.

 

[smiffy]

in the us does warranty cover wear and tear or misuse from the likes of snapon and other big brands ?

 

[czgunner]

in the us does warranty cover wear and tear or misuse from the likes of snapon and other big brands ?

Depends, I've had drivers argue over ANY warranty, and others that don't care if I just didn't like the tool and will warranty it.

 

[skruft]

This is an interesting thread.

I try to be careful and replace worn things. I have damaged or worn out many screwdrivers and driver bits, Allen wrenches and of course the things that are meant to wear out like blades. I have broken drill bits, usually small ones.

Practically nothing else except long ago the traditional old Craftsman 3/8 ratchets, which I think are no good. Also I think I broke a few very cheap imported tools, which failed when good ones would not have.

In a lot of things I bought recently, I found an SK 3/4" combination wrench with the open end cracked. I don't know how anyone did that, unless they attached something to get more leverage.

 

[BajaBound]

Torx bits seem to be what I mess up the most and two 24" HF breaker bars but I was standing on them so it was my fault for bouncing up and down on them trying to get an axle nut off replacing some unit bearings assemblies on my buddies truck.

 

[1950mercury]

Lots of rp ratchets all sizes, a couple dozen older non etched vraftsman sockets, snap on phillips, a million craftsman screwdrivers,plenty of craftsman torx, cambell hausfield impact sockets,craftsman 1/2 reversible ratchet wrench and a sk 1/4 ratchet. The only one id say was abuse was the sk ratchet i had a 2 ft pipe on it.

 

[wvrailroader]

We wear out 1" drive impact sockets at work pretty frequently. I only know of one broken socket - a 1" drive 1 5/8" 8 point Snap On socket. Split right down the side. Warranty covered it, no questions asked.

I broke a 1/2" drive 18" Proto breaker bar once by using a 4 foot cheater pipe trying to remove the gland nut from a Volkswagen engine. Clearly abuse and I didn't try to warranty it.