what tools have you actually broke while using?

[Robbie UK]

A few sockets have been still-born and fractured on first use. Never had a regular use socket fail yet so I guess some are born with flaws in them.

The only stand-out failures I have had recently is with Channellock side cutters. My first pair lasted many years but have been through 4 replacements in only a couple of months. No problem getting them replaced but have switched over to Knipex as I am convinced I just getting replacements from the same bad batch. Truly shocking.

 

[aussiek2000]

I had about 6 Cman sockets split while using them in the last 3-4 months. I broke 2 10mm on a 1/4" ratchet trying to get A/C compressor bolts of a full size Ford truck. I've also twisted off a couple extensions while using them on ratchets.

 

[Old Donn]

Broke the square off a couple of 1/2" to 3/8" step downs. Broke a 1/2" drive Bonney ratchet. In both cases trying to break loose lug nuts.

 

[road1will]

Over the past 12+ years ive broken 3 or 4 Craftsman 3/8 ratchets, probably a dozen craftsman sockets, and a couple craftsman extensions. I also broke a craftsman 1/4" ratchet and 1/2" breaker bar.

I have slowly upgraded most of my tools to Snap-On. Since switching to SO I almost never break a tool. The only SO tools i've broken were a 3/8" drive wobble extension and a 3/8" breaker bar, and both of them were my fault.

Has anyone else broken a bunch of craftsman 3/8" drive 1/2" sockets? Ive broken 3 or 4 of them over the years and was never particularly rough on them. They always crack down the side. I just assume the walls are just a bit too thin.

 

[dmw56]

The only time I broke a Crafstman tool was a regular socket on an impact wrench. But most of C-man tools are 20+ years old and holding up just fine.
Harbor Freight tools well that's another story.
Broke lots of drill bits and those damn easy out that aren't so easy and things don't come out. Broke a few hammer and shovel handles.

 

[ihredo4]

20 years ago or maybe it was 30 years ago now I broke a 3/4" breaker bar. Sheared the 3/4" drive slam off it. Believe it was a USA breaker but I have no idea at this point. After we torched the nut off the bolt we found out it was left hand threads but unmarked. Others came off easily. lol

 

[1984Datsun]

Just today, I broke the tip off of a Husky T-25 socket. I was trying to remove an allen bolt that rounded off even though I had the allen socket seated all the way... seated the torx with a hammer, and then threw the ratchet onto the torx and extension, then reefed on it... snap off...

6061 sometimes likes to hold onto bolts. 'Self locking' feature...


I bet I would've broken a Snap-on too. The last four bolts I was trying to remove all stripped out with an allen properly seated. Once I broke the torx, I decided it is better to just leave them there... Just salvaging bolts off of scrap aluminum... got enough of them allens now.

I never had a problem with these torx sockets until now. They more than paid for themselves and owe me nothing. Got a few more sets around here anyways...

Next time I drop by the HD, I'll just have to exchange the t-25... and maybe should exchange the allen that I partially twisted...

Sometimes it's actually fun to break tools... I broke a Snap-on breaker bar once. Yep, 4'+ cheater pipe. Did the same reefing on the Craftsman, but it broke the bolt loose rather than breaking the head off of the breaker bar... (this is an older Craftsman, by the way. Can't say much about the new ones, since I don't have one)

I broke a nameless (nothing stamped onto the adapter, no idea who made it) 1/2 to 3/8 adapter by attempting to remove a brake caliper slide pin... kinda forgot that 3/8 rarely does the job on those bolts on that particular car... a branded adapter might've done the job, but I didn't bother to find out. Just got a 1/2 drive socket in that size to finish that one off.

Otherwise, I really haven't broken all that many tools. I have chipped tips of cheap screwdrivers though. Only two of the half drawer full of screwdrivers are chipped, to be exact.

 

[diesel research]

I bet I would've broken a Snap-on too.

You out to get ahold of one and find out.

Break one for us, get it warranted, then sell it off if you don't like it.

 

[Krokodil]

I've only really broken drill bits. But that is also because I was using the wrong technique.

Interesting to note not a lot of German tools being mentioned to have broken.

 

[GoBlue]

Thats because not many people use them around here. There aren't any Italian or Croatian tools being mentioned either.

 

[Monte]

German tools don´t break

Look:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/eKNxgccxoNQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[diesel research]

German tools don´t break

Look:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/eKNxgccxoNQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Obviously they do. Even the video broke. When I clicked on it, it said

An Error Has Occurred. Please Try Again Later

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

can I add one to the pile? Split a 15mm 3/8" drive socket yesterday trying to get my stepbrothers brake caliper bracket off for him. Then managed to round off the bolt.

Then I had the aha moment. Take a look at the rotors. They look pretty damn good. So i left them on there and just slaped new pads on. Not proud about it but its done.

Thanks
Sean Scott

 

[Pedro86]

craftsman socket broke, 8 foot cheater, replacing shocks on a tractor.

bluepoint ratchet broke, no cheater, pure hand power. the directional switch got jammed so far to one direction that you cant use the damn thing as a ratchet anymore.

extractors

 

[1984Datsun]

You out to get ahold of one and find out.

Break one for us, get it warranted, then sell it off if you don't like it.

Yeah, sure. I just go out and spend 25 bucks on a freaking socket... pfft.

As I already mentioned before, I've got plenty of sets of these around of various brands.


I'll break it.

Warranty? I can get everything else warranted. The SO truck driver probably wouldn't bother showing up at my house, unless I became a SO tool ***** and drowned my *** in debt by buying SO tools from him. And it'd take a week to get the damn socket back, too. I could go to HD today and get the socket exchanged if I need to use it today.

For how much most of you spend on SO tools, I've got a barn full of tools... I mostly buy used and shop smart. As for SO... they'll be fine without me paying out the *** for a name, when the quality is just a hair above others, like old school Craftsman, SK, Indestro, and many more old tools...

They don't impress me, and I've used many a Snap-on tool... I don't like their ratchets, they are too smooth and are easily dropped with greasy or oily hands. Craftsman RP allow a better grip... and I have yet to break one. I've put cheater pipes on them too.

Proto tools are much better, if you want to get all **** on better tools. I've got a few Proto tools, and they are the best I've seen so far. Indestro is a good brand as well. 20 bucks for a 3" extension from SO? **** that.

I ain't drinking the kool-aid. Nice try. And did you even read the part about where I broke a Snap-on breaker bar? Craftsman finished the job, and the Snap-on didn't even budge the bolt. I was bouncing on the end of that pipe... full body weight and all. Yes, it actually was quite painful hitting the floor when the stupid SO broke.


It's silly how most seem to be offended on some people's opinions on tools. Like I actually got an infraction for stating my opinion in a Snap-on thread.


Kind of asinine. A tool is a tool. Stay away from a no name non stamped/rolled tool, and you'll be ahead... get a bunch of various proven good brands (old Craftsman, etc.) and you'll be even better off.

Don't like my post?

Fill out this form... and mail it to the government. They're here to help, right?

 

[BackTracker]

I tend to find that I split sockets more than anything. But generally I break what I was working on before the tool gives way. IE round off or snap bolt head.

 

[nicholasbailey1993]

I've broke several Crafsman 1/2" drive breaker bars (with and without the use of a cheater bar), multiple needle nose pliers, and i busted the handle on my dads favorite 1/2" S-K ratchet (he wasn't real happy about that).

 

[99TJSahara]

Here the list of junk I've broken:
HF grinder
HF cut-off tool
HF 3/8 impact wobble adapter
3 craftsman 1/2 impact wrench's
Craftsman 3/8 ratchet
Tool shop 1/2-3/8 adapter
Matco T-30
Matco 8oz hammer
Snap-on small pick
Snap on 1/2'' Drive impact 15mm swivel socket
I'm sure theres more I'm forgetting

 

[krogsmash86]

broke a snapon 1/2 to 3/8 adapter while trying to break loose the brake caliber bolt on a doge 35oo pickup had it on a about a 6 inch breaker bar it snapped the socket was fine and so was the breaker bar but the adapter shot across the shop in so many pieces i didn't ever find enough of it to get it warrantied !!

 

[expfcwintergreen]

I had forgotten drill bits. They break when they see me coming.

 

[Doktor Schnell]

Broke the tip off of a Craftsman slotted screwdriver while tightening a screw into a concrete anchor. Warranted, no prob.

Mangled a HF 1/2 to 3/8 adapter. Need to find a good replacement.

 

[sdguy55]

I am pretty lucky...i have worked in a shop my whole short tool owning life. So if i get into a situation where my pry bar is starting to go into a U-shape and the thing im prying still isnt prying, i stop, and go grab something bigger and heavier duty. Most of the tools i own are also higher grade (not bragging to you guys) but i do own a few cheaper things that i had to buy in a pinch.
About the only thing that comes to mind is that both my Snap-on impacts the rings that hold in the sockets are all messed up, both are out of warranty so i cant do anything about it. But its my own fault cause i have used regular sockets on them their entire life. Which is now why i am trying very hard to build up my impact socket selection.
I went to change out the pad on my blue-point angle grinder and the damn head kept swiveling on me everywhere, went to tighten it up and it just kept rotating, turns out the threads holding the head were stripped. Still under warranty at the time so had snappy send it off and get it fixed.

 

[rt dak]

I've used many a Snap-on tool... I don't like their ratchets, they are too smooth

That's a new one.

Anyway, I think the only tools i've ever broke while using were a couple Craftsman hex sockets.

 

[0.511MeV]

I've rounded so many hex keys that I refuse to use them unless I am really really really in a bind. For some reason it seems like hex bits and hex sockets aren't as soft as the L shaped keys.

I've popped a few sockets, mostly taiwanese when I was younger and didn't know better / couldn't afford better. I've never broken a wrench, but the box end has gotten a bit rounder on the taiwanese wrenches. I did bust the guts on a cheap ratchet once too.

A friend snapped two Craftsman wrenches trying to get the same fastener loose on his truck. Smashed his hand good both times, so the third time he just torched the whole fender off the truck (we were trying to replace the fender anyway). He kept a five gallon bucket for broken tools. He'd get them all warrantied at once at Sears.

For the most part, these days I don't break any tools. I buy the best I can and they usually are great. In recent time (say the last 10 years) the only hand tool I can remember breaking was a Craftsman pin punch. I struck it once and it bent like it was butter (using a 12 ounce ball peen). I think they must have skipped the heat treat.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

When I was just starting out as a paid wrench in and equipement shop I loaded up on some stuff from HF to get going fast. Out of that batch of stuff I broke 3 large wrenches (like 1 1/2" to 2") within 2 days. Not usuing any extra leverage / cheater bar - they just snapped form my own weight on them....junk....
I have also exploded my fair share of SO ratchet guts - usually over working them in some way (did one this week breaking rusty exhaust manifold bolts loose on a JD 4045 with a 3/8 drive) but they where all fixxed under warranty.
I usually only break the small stuff - driver bits and whatnot.
I treat the "L" shaped allen wrenches as disposable and buy fresh sets a couple times a year - they round off easily when breaking loose set screws on industrial bearing lock collars.....don't dare use the "ball end" type or the ball will snap off in the set screw......

 

[marcusicp]

I just broke this at work this week. Made in the USA by VIM tools. I have sent them a picture so I guess we will see how their warranty is.

 

[USMCdodge]

At work-
1. Snap on apex phillips head bit broke on a ch53 intake

2. snap on screwdriver broke on same piece of gear...

At home-
3. 3 black and decker easy outs... almost the whole set... never again...

4. chinese adjustable wrench and 3/8" to 1/4" adapter.... thats when i started buying all tools made in USA.

 

[wawa1]

snap on, mac, craftsman, proto, mastercraft, i use them all and ive broken them all. the latest was my snap on flex head ratcheting ratchet slf80a.

 

[dsch]

My most heartbreaking was when I left my Fluke 88-V on the front wheel of a tractor then decided it was a good idea to back it out of the shop. Didn't even try to get warranty on htat one.

 

[WQ59B]

Broken 3 Husky pieces (socket, swivel & ratchet).
Also broke 1 Craftsman ratchet, but I admit I was lying on my side and pushing on it with my foot/leg, working on a bumper bracket bolt and hanging on the car itself while I pushed.

 

[SINISTER]

Too many to count.. hammer claws, screw driver heads, 4 of my gearbox wrenches split and spread on the box ends, numerous extentions twisted, twisted hex and torx sockets, bent pry bars, split screw driver handles, split chrome sockets.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

Sheared an impact grade Snapon 1/2 to 3/8 adapter using it with a long handeled 1/2 ratchet to losen a brake caliper braket, also sheared a 8mm snap on hex bit on a stuck bolt and finally I bent and chipped the open end on a short 10mm snap on wrench

 

[ajchien]

Let see ...

HF P1 screwdriver, snapped the tip off taking off a cover to a pool pump timer.

Craftsman 1/4 RP ratchet detent ball fell out, opening a pool filter.

HF angled pliers, snapped tips trying to open my Willams 3/8 ratchet lock ring.

HF tongue in groove pliers, bent and wouldnt lock in the groove to hold a chisel in place while renewing a front porch column.

HF interchangeable snap ring pliers fell apart, and the spring flew to nowheresland while trying to take the snap ring off a CM ratchet.

Snapped a no name ball hex key putting together a baby crib.

Rounded off a SK hex bit socket on a shower fixture.

HF cross pein hammer head came loose, can't remember what I was doing.

Duralast hydraulic jack, leaked down and died during a pad change.

Mangled the tips of plenty of noname, CM and HF screwdrivers.

I would guess that I have 25% cheap no name/HF tools, 50% CM/HD intermediate tools, and 25% premium brand tools. It does seem like cheap tools do break more often. However, I do tend to use cheap tools when I don't care if the object I'm dealing with gets beaten up or broken, and I use higher quality stuff when I don't want to mar things up. That may introduce some usage bias.

 

[justin85]

Sounds like the socket adapters are the most popular break. I broke a 3/8 to 1/4 adapter from my road kit.... while changing a battery! 1/4 male end sheared right off, was not pleased.

 

[Honda guy]

I fried my Mac test light that I've owned for about 20 years. Had it hooked up to a hot circuit for a few minutes and it had a meltdown. Pretty sure I put the wrong bulb in, last time I replaced it, so I have myself to blame.

I've had a few Polaris specialty tools break under normal use. But that's par for the course for a Polaris product.

 

[dieseldodge01]

About 2 weeks ago I did a brake job on my truck, new rotors and pads on the front and shoes and spring kit in the back. I started on the driver side, had no problems, caliper bolts came out easy using a Blackhawk 6mm hex socket. Was even able to remove the caliper bracket with little resistance, after 12 years of Ohio rust. I move to the passenger side, first caliper bolt I snap off the the hex socket right at the base, about sent my head straight into the shock. It went down hill from there, caliper bracket wouldn't come off with out persuasion from a breaker bar and 3ft pipe. After that the old rotor was seized to the hub. I kinda twisted the breaker bar, but it did good for a Japanese TrueCraft breaker bar

 

[jtfc]

Just in the past 6 months I went through a couple of craftsman 3/8 ratchets, 3/4gearwrench ratcheting box, 1/2-3/8 craftsman adapter also had a no name wrench grenade in my hand holding a nut while tightening with a 3/4 impact. I have no exact idea but a lot of cheap screwdrivers.

 

[Vinko]

Broke a Proto punch knocking out a pin, and a PB Swiss pick trying to pry out a bearing the last little bit. Ridiculous on my part. Tool abuse

I broke a closed end of a 3/4 Cornwall turning a bolt on a caster wheel. I didn't put that much force on it, but I bought the wrench used (in fact a whole set used), and Cornwall was cool enough to replace the wrench even though I told them it was a used wrench when I bought it.

 

[wreckerman5357]

I can't possibly remember everything, but I will mention the highlights.

Ratchets: Stripped my 1/2" raised panel Craftsman 3 or 4 times. Stripped my 3/8" Craftsman RP once. This is why I don't use those ratchets anymore and why I own Dual 80s.

Sockets: I own mostly Cman, broke a few. To be fair two of them were warrantied because the square end had mushroomed from years of being used to punch out u joints with a hammer. They both still drove fasteners.

Screwdrivers: Broke a few flat tips out of my Cman clear handle set. Have had them for years and never broke one driving a screw in their defense. I seem to wear out the tips on Cman Phillips about every 4-6 months since I started using professionally. Finally bough a set of Snap-On Instinct Softgrips because my local Sears is closing and I no longer have a place to return the Cmans.

Combo Wrenches: Broke the open end of a couple of Cman RPs using other Wrenches as a cheated. Spread the hell out of the jaws on a 10mm RP last month. Never broke a box end.

Hooks and Picks: From Stanley to Cman to Snap-On, I've broke them all.

Torx: Break these, esspecially T50s, like its my job. Do yourself a favor and get some of the gold bit SO ones if you use them much.

 

[countryroad82]

Most of the tools I have broke was clearly misuse (screwdrivers as prybars, connecting the open ends of wrenches for more torque) but of the few I have actually broke while using is a short list. I broke a 7mm Craftsman open end wrench once taking apart a dash once, it just snapped have no idea how or why. Busted 2 Craftsman 14 or 15mm (can't quite remember) sockets on a 2.2 Chevy headbolt before I got smart enough to break out the impact. Countless flathead Craftsman screwdrivers using them on flat screws (I really think this is due to the ribs that are etched in the head that makes them weak because they shear off straight with them please correct me if I'm wrong.) And an SK #2 phillips on a phillips screw that hadn't moved in 40 years. Not bashing the Craftsman stuff at all but it seems I have broke more of that stuff. Oh and in my early days when I had some Tiawanese no name junk I would snap that in a heartbeat.