Which Snap On breaker bars?

[SC-AW11]

Which Snap On breaker bars do you recommend getting? (1 in each size? or different lengths in the same drive size?)

also do you recommend chrome or soft grip?
Comfort grip is a tad longer as you guys know, but for a breaker bar do you want longer and more comfortable, or a tad shorter but more durable?

1/4 only has 2, 3/8 has 3 different sizes including grips. And then 1/2" has a bunch.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/cata...D=629030&Cat_NAME=Ratchets&store=snapon-store

 

[jaysonb]

I never use 1/4, or 3/8, but have 18", and 24", in 1/2 drive. I got chrome handles in case i have to put a pipe on one.

 

[SC-AW11]

Hmm interesting. Not even a 3/8 huh? I currently only own a craftsman 18" 1/2, but it seems like I use an adapter with 3/8 sockets a lot more than I do 1/2 sockets. What drive sockets do you use most on your bars? Do you have 1/2 just cause the shortest 1/2 is still longer than the longest 3/8? (12" vs 15")
Ya putting a pipe on is def a factor I thought about, good reminder. Thank you

 

[jaysonb]

I have one of the standard length 3/8 bars, i just can't remember the last time I used it. I have long 3/8" ratchets though.

 

[purplezr2]

Have 1/2 inch 18" chrome, 24" Soft Grip and 24" Chrome

 

[zmotorsports]

I never use 1/4, or 3/8, but have 18", and 24", in 1/2 drive. I got chrome handles in case i have to put a pipe on one.

^^This.

In 1/2" I have the 18" Snap-On breaker bar and a 24" Matco but the standard handle just in case I need to use a cheater. Don't have nor needed a breaker bar in 1/4" or 3/8" as if I need a little more leverage I just grab my longer ratchet or just up a size in drive. I also have a 3/4" Cornwell but it seldom gets used.

Mike.

 

[SC-AW11]

ah ok cool.
The only time Ive seen one in use is my buddy at school uses his a lot, last time was a ****** drain plug. Wasnt a hex head bolt, it had a 3/8 square hole. So ya I supposed its foot/lbs were no problem for a ratchet.
Well I think that clears up chrome vs comfort if putting a pipe on it is important, which I think it probably is?
I guess 1/4" the 1 chrome, and 3/8 the longer chrome. 1/2" idk. 18" and 24" sounds good but lets say you have a 15 too, you're always gonna pick the 18 over the 15"?

 

[SC-AW11]

Ah ok so 2 more for pretty much 1/2 only. sounds like its pretty 1 sided in drive size lol

Have 1/2 inch 18" chrome, 24" Soft Grip and 24" Chrome

hmm very interesting. Which one do you grab first? Or in order of which you would use. I think I like the idea of having both in the 24 only. 3/8 might soft grip might be nice too. Cus I guess if you need more leverage, switch to a longer 1/2"?

 

[zmotorsports]

ah ok cool.
The only time Ive seen one in use is my buddy at school uses his a lot, last time was a ****** drain plug. Wasnt a hex head bolt, it had a 3/8 square hole. So ya I supposed its foot/lbs were no problem for a ratchet.
Well I think that clears up chrome vs comfort if putting a pipe on it is important, which I think it probably is?
I guess 1/4" the 1 chrome, and 3/8 the longer chrome. 1/2" idk. 18" and 24" sounds good but lets say you have a 15 too, you're always gonna pick the 18 over the 15"?

I can't speak for others but the 18" is usually the one I grab, very seldom do I use the 24" long breaker bar. Almost kick myself for buying the 24" as the 18" usually gets the job done. If I put the ratchet on it and it doesn't budge rather than damaging the teeth in my ratchet I just grab the 18" breaker bar and once loose go back to the ratchet.

I have co-workers that will break several ratchets a year because they figure it's warranteed just throw a pipe on the ratchet and go but I don't abuse my tools that way.

Mike.

 

[rlitman]

My 1/4" and 3/8" sets came with them. They never really get used.
I do use my 1/4" and 3/8" speeder bars a lot though.

My 1/2" one came with my 1/2" set, and gets used pretty often.

All are hard handle. Partly because I hate soft handle, partly because I can use a pipe with it, partly because I worry about chemicals damaging the soft handles.

Since the forging on the head is the same strength regardless of the handle length, I go with what fits the toolbox nicely, and add a pipe if necessary (rarely, if ever though, as my impact guns tend to be fine in those situations).

edit: the comments above about sizing up a 1/4 to 3/8 or 3/8 to 1/2 when you need a breaker bar are right on point

 

[SC-AW11]

I can't speak for others but the 18" is usually the one I grab, very seldom do I use the 24" long breaker bar. Almost kick myself for buying the 24" as the 18" usually gets the job done. If I put the ratchet on it and it doesn't budge rather than damaging the teeth in my ratchet I just grab the 18" breaker bar and once loose go back to the ratchet.

I have co-workers that will break several ratchets a year because they figure it's warranteed just throw a pipe on the ratchet and go but I don't abuse my tools that way.

Mike.

I like your philosophy. I'd do the same, I take care of my tools better than most or all of my classmates. But I am guilty throwing a pipe on my Cman 36's in my earlier days when they were all I had. I also have a little pipe I call my buddy bar lol, perfect for when you just need a little more leverage, and slipping the pipe off is kinda faster than switching sockets to a breaker bar and back. My buddy at school at uses the 3/8 breaker bar, his go-to ratchet is a 1/2 (usually with a 3/8 adapter on it) harbor freight extendable ratchet. makes it long to break loose and then shortens it up to ratchet. actually pretty nifty lol.
Hmm, I have my craftsman 18" and it seems like half the time I use it Im putting a pipe on it. So I might want a 24

 

[mailpup]

You don't always have enough swing room for a longer bar. For example, if you are under a lift, you might have plenty of room but if you are on your back under a car supported by jack stands, with the limited room a 15" or 18" bar might be best.

I tend to use an 18" bar most frequently. I'll use a 24" bar (or a 30" Matco bar) when necessary. If I need a cheater pipe, a long bar isn't necessary. A 15" or 18" bar will do.

 

[SC-AW11]

My 1/4" and 3/8" sets came with them. They never really get used.
I do use my 1/4" and 3/8" speeder bars a lot though.

My 1/2" one came with my 1/2" set, and gets used pretty often.

All are hard handle. Partly because I hate soft handle, partly because I can use a pipe with it, partly because I worry about chemicals damaging the soft handles.

Since the forging on the head is the same strength regardless of the handle length, I go with what fits the toolbox nicely, and add a pipe if necessary (rarely, if ever though, as my impact guns tend to be fine in those situations).

edit: the comments above about sizing up a 1/4 to 3/8 or 3/8 to 1/2 when you need a breaker bar are right on point

Another 1/2 only lol. def sounding like thats the general consensus.
Cool, good to hear you uses speeders a lot. I have a 3/8 speeder coming I wanted to get for the engine class that starts next week.

 

[zmotorsports]

As myself and a few others have mentioned the use of a cheater bar/pipe to extend the breaker bar, even though this is frowned upon by the tool dealers, I would like to make a suggestion. I have a piece of tubing that I have specifically for this, it is open on one end and I have a piece that I machined in the other welded in for use with my brake mounted on my bench.

I used a piece of DOM tubing because that way it doesn't have the seam from the electrical welding process running down the inside which can mar the finish/surface of your breaker bar. I also machined a small chamfer on the inside edge to aviod marring the breaker bar handle. I have it painted and standing in the corner so it is always readily accessible so I don't grab just anything and end up scratching the **** out of my handles.

Just a suggestion.

Mike.

 

[85camaro]

I guess I'm in the minority because I use my 3/8 breaker bar all the time. Sometimes I need that little bit of extra clearance a ratchet won't give me to break a bolt loose.

 

[SC-AW11]

You don't always have enough swing room for a longer bar. For example, if you are under a lift, you might have plenty of room but if you are on your back under a car supported by jack stands, with the limited room a 15" or 18" bar might be best.

I tend to use an 18" bar most frequently. I'll use a 24" bar (or a 30" Matco bar) when necessary. If I need a cheater pipe, a long bar isn't necessary. A 15" or 18" bar will do.

Ya I thought about that. good factor, thats why I didn't want to rule out 15.
So sounds like 1 of each 1/4 and 3/8, or even none would do lol (maybe just keep them at home if I end up not using at future work, wouldn't have to get duplicates for home that way too). And maybe all of the 1/2?


I should've asked in the first post, what for work and what for home.
Maybe for home the longer 3/8, and the 18" 1/2 (prolly short enough for cramped work under car on jackstands, and can put a pipe on if needed

 

[SC-AW11]

As myself and a few others have mentioned the use of a cheater bar/pipe to extend the breaker bar, even though this is frowned upon by the tool dealers, I would like to make a suggestion. I have a piece of tubing that I have specifically for this, it is open on one end and I have a piece that I machined in the other welded in for use with my brake mounted on my bench.

I used a piece of DOM tubing because that way it doesn't have the seam from the electrical welding process running down the inside which can mar the finish/surface of your breaker bar. I also machined a small chamfer on the inside edge to aviod marring the breaker bar handle. I have it painted and standing in the corner so it is always readily accessible so I don't grab just anything and end up scratching the **** out of my handles.

Just a suggestion.

Mike.

Ya that is a gret suggestion. A nice, dedicated cheater. I like

I guess I'm in the minority because I use my 3/8 breaker bar all the time. Sometimes I need that little bit of extra clearance a ratchet won't give me to break a bolt loose.

Very nice. Glad to hear someone uses it. I think I have to get one, at the least if I dont use it at work, I know I would at home (like I mentioned above I mostly use 3/8 sockets on the 1 1/2 bar I currently own). If I did use it at work, I guess I'd have to get duplicates for home and work.

 

[mailpup]

I also machined a small chamfer on the inside edge to aviod marring the breaker bar handle.

I also ground off the sharp inner edge of my cheater pipe to protect my breaker bars.

I guess I'm in the minority because I use my 3/8 breaker bar all the time. Sometimes I need that little bit of extra clearance a ratchet won't give me to break a bolt loose.

Actually, I sometimes use my 3/8 breaker bar for the same reason. Sometimes the ratchet head is too thick and the breaker bar plus socket will work instead.

 

[tsonka]

I have a 3/8 breaker that I bought for alignments. Other then that I cant think of a time I routinely used it. I will use it instead of a ratchet when using a cheater but thats not all that often

 

[zmotorsports]

Another 1/2 only lol. def sounding like thats the general consensus.
Cool, good to hear you uses speeders a lot. I have a 3/8 speeder coming I wanted to get for the engine class that starts next week.

I use my 3/8" Snap-On speeder on certain things. I have a 1/4" Snap-On also but I wouldn't buy that one again, don't use it hardly at all. Sometimes I grab it just because I feel guilty for not using it.

I use my 3/8" speeder when rebuilding transmission as I find it handy for installing/removing valve bodies and pump bodies. Snug them down with the speeder and then move right to the torque wrench. I also use it for transmission pans.

Mike.