what tools have you actually broke while using?

[chris142]

I break drill bits. I guess it's just me because nobody else at the shop breaks them like I do.

Reciently broke my 20yr old Cornwell 36 inch prybar. The plastic handle broke. Called Cornwell and they said to send it in so I sent the broken handle in. Then when I got no response I called them and they said that they ment to send in the whole prybar!

They are going to replace the whole prybar and not just the handle.

So I'm waiting for it to show up.

Broken a few low quality extensions. I break a lot of SO 3/8dr 10mm sockets for some reason.

I gave up on the cheap HF 3/8 impact guns. The snouts break off with normal use.

 

[Kev442]

Co worker of mine said he had his HF BB 8 -12 inches off the ground and could jump up and down and that damn thing would smack the floor.

It is dam weird to see those things flex like that, I get a little worried seeing 2-3 " of bend just pulling on mine, but it does the job.

 

[38D]

Cracked 2 craftsman sockets...split right down the side

Broke 2 craftsman torx sockets, then a duralast torx socket...all trying to get a head bolt off a busted 986 engine. Bought the snap on torx socket, and it took off every head bolt no issue.

Broke a 10mm box end of a craftsman wrench

Have had 2 craftsman ratchets reverse on me, sending my knuckles into a suspension part at a high rate of speed...ouch

Snapped a bearing separator right in half once...faulty casting, was "Stinger" branded

 

[diesel research]

snap on breaker bar
channellock needlenose (not broke just bent)
lots of snap ring pliers
craftsman sockets (mulitple)
cheap MIT impact reducer
cheap HF "impact" torx
o ring pick
an imported lowes or HD impact socket
a few OLD hammers (heads fall off or handles broke)
A few open ends
extractors
an air drill handle
several older taiwan gearwrenches

Before anyone goes crying, I did not claim all of them failed under "normal" use. Several were not. Only the snap on breaker and a few sockets have ever been exchanged under warranty. I don't mess around with warranties.

When something fails I try to analyze if I could have done something to prevent it, or if I expect a tool to perform to that level. If I demand a tool performs the task, I will go get something better. In the case of the snap on breaker, it was replaced but no longer used. Found something better. In the case of most chrome sockets, switched to impacts. In the case of channellock needlenose, I consider them just too soft and will switch to something better.

This excludes tons of junk that was simply produced to crappy tolerances, did not function very well, or simply wore out prematurely even if it did not fail catastrophically.

 

[Orangestang]

A few Craftsman sockets over the years, Craftsman screwdrivers get broken and worn out from slicing ductwork open on the job, also have broken their small drift pins and I snapped the head off of a torque wrench.(some people that tighten lug nuts should be shot)

 

[Original Man]

snap on breaker bar
channellock needlenose (not broke just bent)
lots of snap ring pliers
craftsman sockets (mulitple)
cheap MIT impact reducer
cheap HF "impact" torx
o ring pick
an imported lowes or HD impact socket
a few OLD hammers (heads fall off or handles broke)
A few open ends
extractors
an air drill handle
several older taiwan gearwrenches

Before anyone goes crying, I did not claim all of them failed under "normal" use. Several were not. Only the snap on breaker and a few sockets have ever been exchanged under warranty. I don't mess around with warranties.

When something fails I try to analyze if I could have done something to prevent it, or if I expect a tool to perform to that level. If I demand a tool performs the task, I will go get something better. In the case of the snap on breaker, it was replaced but no longer used. Found something better. In the case of most chrome sockets, switched to impacts. In the case of channellock needlenose, I consider them just too soft and will switch to something better.

This excludes tons of junk that was simply produced to crappy tolerances, did not function very well, or simply wore out prematurely even if it did not fail catastrophically.

What did you find?

Surprised by all the craftsman sockets. Granted their one of the most common chrome sockets used.

 

[davesnothere]

Broke a snappy 90 degree pick yesterday. Broke a 1/4 hex to 1/4 square drive adapter with a cman impact driver the day before that.

 

[monster1]

Actually, I've broken too many bits, screwdrivers, and drill bits to count. Remember one of those five dollar socket sets I had as a kid. Think that thing just fell apart sitting in the tin case!

I find it interesting that lots of guys havebroken the tool truck branded stuff. Guess you guys really pound the hell out of your tools. Being a home wrench I guess I have the luxury of time to allow for figuring out a better or different way to loosen a stuck fastener. I think the hardest I've used a tool was using my 17mm husky USA combo wrench and smacking it with a ball pien hammer on the bolts on the crossmember of my Toyota truck years ago. I've learned to use mechanics gloves though. I've had my teardrop cmans slip a gear and bust my knuckles. User f up though.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

just recently split a 21mm impact, 5/8'' SP socket, and 13/16'' combo.

 

[yjWrangler]

2 Sunex T55 impact Torx sockets

 

[Hal]

C-man 1/4 u-joint
1/4 breaker
19/32 12 point socket, pounded onto rounded 5/8 nut
Several screwdrivers
Linesmans pliers
1/2 breaker
15/16x1 deep offset box wrench

IR 15/16 deep impact

Tru-test 1/2 drive 3/4 socket

Indestro 3/4x7/8 box wrench

Powr-Kraft 1 1/8 combo wrench
3/4 and 13/16 impact sockets.

Cornwell long handle 1/2 ratchet. A friend? working in my shop had to move my two foot SO breaker to get the ratchet, and tripped over the 3/4 drive set to get the cheater pipe, go figure?!?!

More than one torx bit, the size that anchors the tailgate straps on a Ford pickup body, and the ones that hold Ford mirrors on.

Several Allen bits of various sizes and makes. C-Man twists, cheap stuff rounds off, SO snaps.

Numerous punches and chisels of many brands, but they are "consumables" right?

Ditto drill bits

Three different Pop rivet tools, all on one project. By the time we realized that 3/16 stainless rivets were too much for standard hand tools there was no time to order an industrial strength one, so we just kept abusing them.

Triple square bit, not really broken, but a Snap-on one will change about two axles in a VW Rabbit before it loses most of its corners.

Matco 3/8 flex head ratchet.

Probably a lot more stuff that I can't remember, mostly from abuse, or "Git-er-done". Getting torches and a 3/4 drive set has reduced the damage considerably.

 

[briggsguy17]

I rarely broke any tools until I transitioned from Power Equipment repair to Auto/Medium Trucks. Since then I have broken an 8mm 3/8 drive SO socket on front driveshaft bolts on a Jeep Liberty and a 13mm 3/8 SO on the power steering pump on a dodge neon, it happened because I was using a universal and got it wedged and kept on turning. I also broke some of the older SO deadblow hammers (Orange Handles) when the bottom of the handle blew out while hammering. Of course all were warrantied without question.

There is a huge difference between home use and pro use, to put it into perspective, a pro may use a tool as much in one month as a home user would in a lifetime so forum member experience is going to be relative here.

 

[Oldndirty]

Broke my MacXR13FPA flex head ratchet. Sent it back to Mac. They sent me a nice shiny new one that is BENT!!! There must be a 3/16bow in the middle of the handle.

 

[Seanbev24]

- A bunch of chrome Craftsman sockets
- A couple craftsman raised panel ratchets
- Snap-On TL936 ratchet
- Tips on a few Snap-On screwdrivers
- Snap-On cotter pin puller
- More free tool truck pocket screwdrivers than I can count
- Matco 1/2" drive 14mm impact swivel socket
- Snap-On 1/4" drive 13mm universal socket
- All picks from the 4 piece craftsman pro set, some more than once
- Almost every Lisle hex/torx socket I've used
- A couple Snap-On hex/torx sockets
- HF 3/8" drive impact swivel socket exploded
- HF seal puller
- HF power steering pulley puller
- HF gear puller
- HF axle bearing puller

That's all I can specifically think of. What I've learned...

- I don't by Craftsman chrome sockets or ratchets anymore. The ones I already owned are now used at home.
- The next time I have to warranty a craftsman pro pick, the set is getting moved home and I'm upgrading
- Never buy Lisle hex or torx
- Never buy anything from Harbor Freight that is made to pull anything.

 

[oldtools]

Forgot to mention also destroy a small screwdriver (no name). Couldn't find a chisel small enough to undeform the drive (axle) shaft cup washer. When I pound it with a hammer, the screwdriver shaft puncture through the handle and bend the screwdriver as well. End up grinding down a larger chisel.

 

[Jim85IROC]

Cracked 2 craftsman sockets...split right down the side

Broke 2 craftsman torx sockets, then a duralast torx socket...all trying to get a head bolt off a busted 986 engine. Bought the snap on torx socket, and it took off every head bolt no issue.

Broke a 10mm box end of a craftsman wrench

Have had 2 craftsman ratchets reverse on me, sending my knuckles into a suspension part at a high rate of speed...ouch

Snapped a bearing separator right in half once...faulty casting, was "Stinger" branded

oh yeah, that reminds me. Years ago when I was pulling the TPI intake off my Camaro for the first time, I shattered my torx bit. I couldn't get to Sears to replace it, so I bought a replacement at Advance Auto fully expecting to destroy it. 15 years later, that cheapo is still in my set. I lost the broken Craftsman before I got a chance to warranty it.

 

[98TJ]

I break tools very, very rarely but when I do there's a 90% chance it's an o-ring pick. Conversely, there is a 90% chance I wasn't "picking" o-rings with it.

I bet it was a 90 degree pick. I had to wait a week to get my Snap-On pick set because guys were breaking the 90 degree pick. Every set on the truck had a broken 90.

We broke two one-way security screw removal bits this week. Stupid Nissan loves using those inside the dash.

Drill bits. Broke two while installing prisoner containment panels in a Chevy van. Snapped the first bit, then snapped the 2nd bit twice. *shakes head

Also snapped a jaw off a Snap-On 184CCP mini diagonal cutters.

 

[pipsters]

Surprised by all the craftsman sockets. Granted their one of the most common chrome sockets used.

I've had my 3/8" Craftsman sockets to 150 ft-lbs with no issues, that was the 19mm shallow and deep and 3/4" shallow and deep. Figured I'd never be putting that kinda torque on them anyway so chances are they will do me OK.

But I also understand, when doing this for a living, you are definitely much less forgiving on your tools.

One thing I have learned, is use a shallow socket whenever you can. Seems the deep sockets tend to have some shear on them when you really torque on them because the arm is so far away from where you are turning.

 

[mccaer01]

Today actually Mac sw70b hose pick handle decided to come off on a stubborn c.a.c. hose, trying to torque a tie rod arm on a freightliner m2 snapped a 3/4 to 1/2 adaptor, trying to separate budd wheels split a Mac MP30609 nut holder, bent cheap 18 inch pipe wrench trying to turn a tie rod with a 4 foot cheater on a freightliner classic xl, matco bfr118tm long 3/8 ratchet sheared gear off trying to get a turbo mount bolt on a sprinter, blew out 10 ton air lift trying to lift the front end of a loaded Western star dump truck, bent countless 13 mm Mac wrenches on 60 series turbos, and way to many drill bits and extractors on numerous snafus probably missing stuff but that's what jumps out

 

[kippieland]

I broke three Craftsman ratchets (older model round head from around 2000....like this one http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/CRAFTSMAN-INDUSTRIAL-Ratchet-5ZFR8?Pid=search) without doing anything to them. They all had the hex screw that holds the head in fall out in my travel box from moving around. I gave them to my 2.5 year old to play with instead of exchanging them on warranty.

 

[diesel research]

I've had my 3/8" Craftsman sockets to 150 ft-lbs with no issues, that was the 19mm shallow and deep and 3/4" shallow and deep. Figured I'd never be putting that kinda torque on them anyway so chances are they will do me OK.

But I also understand, when doing this for a living, you are definitely much less forgiving on your tools.

One thing I have learned, is use a shallow socket whenever you can. Seems the deep sockets tend to have some shear on them when you really torque on them because the arm is so far away from where you are turning.

Not saying it was a cause, but most chrome sockets I have broken or have seen broken, were shallows.

One reason some can have stellar luck and others poor luck with a particular tool, is simple consistency in manufacturing. Anyone can accidentally get metalurgy and heat treating right sometimes but it takes more expense to get it right more of the time. Take the HF pass/fail thread. I realized it wasn't even worth my time many times, simply because such high inconsistency on some items. "hit or miss" with some things. Others seem to be supreme very consistently, others flaming poo every time. Just like lisle bit sockets.

Of course use will come into play and so will different perspectives of "hard use" Many will say they ride 'em hard and put 'em away wet, but often leave little quantitative data. Your socket info is a good example of clearly spelling things out.

There seems to be a few other phenomena showing up, some of which might lead to the above inconsistent statement. Several items have seemed to fail right out of the box, yet a replacement or similar continued to last a long time. Flukes from the factory, like that junk 3/4" drive impact reducer I had from proto that sheered off and flew 20ft.

Another more mysterious one was touched on in the impact socket thread. Several times I have had tools work well under "tremendous" situations, only to fail much later under light regular duty.

I have broke the cheap bottom of the barrel type. It happens. (HF, HD, MIT, etc)

They don't necessarily break during the hard use job. May just have internal stress cracks. Then some time when you aren't expecting it or not stressing it hard, it just suddenly cracks down the side and spins on the fastener. Or in the case of adapters/extensions/torx, they just sheer off and fly across the shop. (impact rated)

Great luck with sunex/GP. Not as great of luck with US variants. Didn't break (except for proto adapter that sheered off right out of the box) but seem to wear and wallow out faster, not to mention rust a lot easier than the others while stored in the same exact environment.

 

[geologist]

I've broke 2 breaker bars. Both were 1/2" drive. In the first instance, I ended up twisting the spline almost completely off of the bar. Closer examination revealed that the steel looked a bit like mushy cast iron - definitely fatigued. I believe it was an old New Britain, but that was probably more than a decade ago.

The 2nd breaker bar suffered catastrophic failure at the hands of my Chevy S10. The truck was sort of a weekend project with my Dad, and we leveled and dropped the truck on 18" rims with low profile tires. It was eventually going to end up being quite similar to a Lingenfelter Sonoma, but we never ended up finishing it. The 2nd bar didn't exhibit much flex, but it catastrophically failed with a near deafening snap while we were breaking loose some bolts before eventually fitting the drop kit. When it broke, part of it snapped back and gouged me under the chin. I have scar from it to this day.

I busted out one Craftsman socket probably a decade ago working on a Jeep Scrambler. The socket failed around the perimeter of the drive plate and split the side.

My Dad and I collectively destroyed a gear puller when one of the pulls ended up snapping the gear. When the gear broke, it ended up bending one of the pulls, so the puller would slip off of everything else we tried it on.

I snapped off the shaft of a screwdriver from the handle once. I'm still not sure how that happened, but I've got a nice scar on my hand from it.

I think that covers it.

 

[ajchien]

On a tangent ... When you guys break a tool, do you ever notice a puff of smoke like stuff?

I once snapped the tip off of a P1 screwdriver, as well as snapped the tips off of a pair of needle nose pliers. Both times, since I was close up to the tool, I noticed a small puff of something that looked like smoke, or dust for a brief moment.

 

[lowendrider]

Numerous Alltrade sockets from my first tool set and a Greatneck breaker bar. Those are the ones that come to mind right off.

 

[Skin]

On a tangent ... When you guys break a tool, do you ever notice a puff of smoke like stuff?

I once snapped the tip off of a P1 screwdriver, as well as snapped the tips off of a pair of needle nose pliers. Both times, since I was close up to the tool, I noticed a small puff of something that looked like smoke, or dust for a brief moment.

Its the tools' soul escaping. Snap-On usually captures 2 souls for each tool so you might get 2 puffs when one of those break. Try to capture them in a bottle next time! They have trade in value on the truck.

 

[geologist]

On a tangent ... When you guys break a tool, do you ever notice a puff of smoke like stuff?

I once snapped the tip off of a P1 screwdriver, as well as snapped the tips off of a pair of needle nose pliers. Both times, since I was close up to the tool, I noticed a small puff of something that looked like smoke, or dust for a brief moment.

Maybe it has something to do with the heat treatment of the steel? I've seen broken cast puff a bit, but never solid steel.

...a Greatneck breaker bar.

Yeah, I bet they have the potential to be a great neck breaker, that's for sure. The new Greatneck stuff is sad. I used to like a lot of their tools because you could get a decent tool for a low price. A lot of their offerings are almost laughable now, which is unfortunate.

 

[WR250F]

A couple of screwdrivers, more channellock's than I can count, aluminum pipe wrenches, Klein needle nose, Klein strippers, channellock end nippers, snapped a Armstrong 1/2" breaker in half, one Matco 5/8" socket, 13/16" Cman combo RP wrench bent like it was made of copper, too damned many small punches, twisted a 4 way lug wrench like licorice, shattered a engineers hammer, several cheapo allen wrenches, broke a scraper using it as a pry bar.

Toughest tools I own, Vim Tools hex sockets and a no name (stamped Alaska) wrench in 14mm that has a open end on one end and a socket on the other. Definite honorable mention goes to the Titan breaker bar from Northern Tool

 

[expfcwintergreen]

I rounded off a new Great Neck Torx 50 socket on a bolt connecting a seat belt to the body of a Crown Vic; I bought a Craftsman socket and had no more trouble. A friend rounded off a smaller Great Neck Torx socket when we were doing something to the door of a Crown Vic. Finally, I ruined a 3/8 drive Craftsman ratchet by stupidly putting a cheater on it while doing something (I can't remember what) to a 1963 Dodge Dart (my second car). I also broke a Snap-on black handled screw driver stupidly using it as a chisel on the same car. My Dad informed me how expensive Snap-on screw drivers were after that.

I no longer knowingly buy anything made by Great Neck or any brand with which I am not familiar, or use tools for uses they weren't intended, if I can help it.

 

[Matt018]

A craftsman 12 oz ball been once. It was pretty funny i was beating the living **** out of some part and the handle splint in my hand. So I heard it break and just open my hand to see this hammer Split right down the center. Ive snapped off flat head screwdrivers, just hate when those pesky flathead screw wont come out....

 

[napatoolguy6908]

i've broken matco screwdrivers husky 1/4 rachets and killed my 1/2 dr aircat impact gun on some logging mach.

 

[fm2176]

I've broken a few over the years, most when I was a forklift mechanic:

Mac 1/2" breaker bar - trying to remove the lugnuts from a forklift at a Wal-Mart; my 3/4" impact wouldn't budge them so I put a 6-ft sign post on the end. Broke two loose before the bar broke.

S&K 1/2" ratchet - broken on the same forklift above.

A few sockets, including one Craftsman 1 1/8" I had just bought for another forklift's lugs.

Matco 90-degree needlenose pliers - the tip of one side snapped off

Blue Point 3-lb hammer - the handle broke when I was trying to remove some abused load wheels on a pallet jack

I can't remember them all right now, but I've also broken more than my fair share through abuse. Craftsman's warranty (now my preferred abusers are Kobalt) came in handy quite a bit when a job required me to improvise.

 

[Homoudont]

Broken a 1/2 breaker bar from HF.. Of course I had a cheater pipe on it trying to get a rusted hub nut off a minivan. In the end I had to get a craftsman 3/4 breaker bar with the cheater pipe to get it off.

 

[mrpowderkeg]

typical drill bits, easy outs, and small delicate stuff. The only tool that really "broke" on use and not abuse was an IR air shear. I bought it at home depot, and it broke a bolt on the cutting head. I took it back, got another one, and the same thing happened. I complained to IR. They hooked me up at no cost. Their customer support was great!

I wonder how many tools were being abused that broke? I'll use breaker bars instead of ratchets, and step up to a 1 inch drive socket of I really need to get after a nut or bolt. Most of my stuff is proto, industro super chrome, and sk. I've never owned a harbor freight tool so I haven't had the opportunity to "break/abuse" one. Oh and I've broken adapters, good ones, that were too small for the job... my bad...

Oh I forgot, I twisted a Grip socket extension. I think my dead grandma could have twisted it though, I bought it because I needed a really long extension on a Sunday... I didn't get the job done that Sunday, didn't even return it, threw it in the scrap pile... I should have known better.

 

[Monte]

somebody used this spark plug socket with a impact wrench i guess

 

[MattT]

somebody used this spark plug socket with a impact wrench i guess

Or maybe used it on something other than a spark plug.

 

[Monte]

Or maybe used it on something other than a spark plug.

most likely yes

 

[cotjocky]

I've definitely broken more tools than I can remember.

I had a few Craftsman 3/8 ratchets strip the gears.

I've stripped my old FLF936 more times than I can count.

I've stripped my 1/4 Snap-on ratchet a few times.

I've stripped my Snap-on 1/2 ratchet a couple times.

Stripped out a couple Craftsman 1/2 ratchets in the past (one of them a friends; Whoops! )

I've bent my 1/2 breaker bars, but never broken them.

Twisted 1/4 extensions (cheap Chinese) like spagetti noodles.

Twisted the end of a "Sears" (not craftsman) 3/8 wobble extension.

Broken a couple 3/8 universals.

I've broken 1/2 impact sockets large and small (with a 1/2 impact).

I've broken numerous 8,10,12,13 and 17mm deep well Craftsman and Snap-on sockets with a 3/8 impact. I've broken a 19mm once I think. I've broken short well sockets with an impact. I don't know if I break those less because the hold up better or just that I'm more prone to use a deep well socket. I normally don't use short well sockets unless I have to.

I've had a coupe cheap ball peens fly apart on me. The head and the handle.

I've bent the **** out of several lady's foot pry bars.

I've broken numerous o-ring type picks.

Broken the tips of several screw drivers. Some from use, some from abuse (chisel).

I've stretched the open end on a few wrenches; mostly smaller sizes such as 10 and 13mm. But I've never broken a box end on a wrench.

I've broken a vise.

I've bent C Clamps.

I've twisted my 6mm Snap-on regular length allen many times.

I've had several of my Snap-on torx bits break off; by ratchet and impact.

I've had several drill bits break. Usually when they get in a bind (my fault).

I've worn out a few drills (electric and battery powered) and a few air tools (impacts, air ratchets and die grinders).

I'm sure there is a lot more, but that is what comes to mind at the moment.

If you use tools daily, do your work in a respectable amount of time and like most, can't afford to buy every single tool you need for every job...

Tools are going to get abused and broken.

Chrome sockets get used on impacts, screw drivers get used as chisels and pry bars. Wrenches get locked together to turn bolts when you have a wrench that fits, but not a socket. Long allens get used in places where a stubby should have been used. Regular length drill bits get cut into short drill bits when you don't own a angle drill or don't want to pull a head to extract a broken exhaust stud. 1/2 ratchets and pry bars get cheater pipes when you don't own 3/4 or 1" drive tools.

All kind of "abuse" happens over the years until you can afford to build your tool collection. By the time you finally get every tool for every job, if that ever happens, you are now to old, tired and burned out to make the trip to the box to find the "correct" tool and just go at it with a adjustable wrench and a hammer.

That's just life.

 

[dieselmike]

8mm snap on socket, fancy audi twin turbo car... a/c bolt. 1/4 craftsman rhft taiwan ratchet, dont remember needle nose. snapped a top pulling cotter pin. o ring pick, snap ring pliers... the list goes on

 

[monster1]

somebody used this spark plug socket with a impact wrench i guess

Some new aluminum wheels have such tight lug holes that the only thing you can get in there is a spark plug socket. I know this because I was stranded on the side of the road with several impact sockets and a breaker bar and nothing fit! Tire shop informed me of that one.

 

[SliderXTM]

Just wanted to try old tools I found in the garage of my dad.
Broke the handle into 5 pieces of an older Mannesmann Werkzeuge (Distributor of tools here in Germany; Chinese import) screwdriver and injured my hand very bad.
It was just a simple task without any special requirements.
Another screwdriver twisted like a corkscrew. Total ****. Throwed everything away (with acceptance of my dad ).

Two Proxxon Torx-Sockets are round now...