Breaker bar types

[Craig-SM]

Broke the knuckle on my breaker bar today so either fix or replace. They’re appears to be two types.

One with the knuckle forms a fork around the bar, which is the type I have now

Or the type that goes inside the bar

Is one superior to the other?

 

[Trevorleach]

Both rubbish, even the good makes.
I dislike breaker bars as they give to much.

 

[winchman]

The Top one is very common on the cheaper brands, when I sold tools for a living many years ago I used to stock spare ends at £5 each local scrap man used to buy 6 at a time not because they where rubbish but because he abused them and snapped them.
Still available

Pardon our interruption...

The more expensive bars are usually the bottom design

Pardon our interruption...

 

[tigdlo]

I dislike breaker bars as they give to much.

What size? longer bars without going up a size aren't great, I think 18" is a good limit 1/2" then 3/4" is better after that, mostly because the manufacturers don't increase the bar diameter with the length, snap-on included.

 

[mr haynes]

Inside type the bar breaks, new bar required.
Forky knuckle type the head breaks, replace head.
If they are 1/2", move up to 3/4 drive. Need to be good to snap a 3/4

 

[tigdlo]

The Top one is very common on the cheaper brands

Snap-on have now switch to that style for their longer bars, like the 1/2" drive 36" long.

 

[winchman]

Snap-on have now switch to that style for their longer bars, like the 1/2" drive 36" long.

Thanks I haven't seen any yet as I haven't seen a van for many years. I wonder why they changed? I suspect because some one has the tooling and give a cheap quote for a change in style?

 

[addjunkie]

Get a 3/4” one and an adapter to step down to 1/2”.

 

[tigdlo]

Thanks I haven't seen any yet as I haven't seen a van for many years. I wonder why they changed? I suspect because some one has the tooling and give a cheap quote for a change in style?

Just had a quick look, the square looks like a seperate piece same as their step down adapters so when it breaks just swap a short square bar, I guess they expect a lot to break so make it easier to warranty.

 

[clift_d]

I've a got a third variety of breaker bar which I'd recommend if you can find one - a 3/4" drive sliding t-handle bar.

 

[JOEPRO]

I've got a couple of the first type breaker bars, sealey and draper. Had em 20 years or so and never an issue except for the centre screw coming loose by itself occasionally. I have added 15 foot box section for leverage and still no issue or breakage.

 

[Trevorleach]

What size? longer bars without going up a size aren't great, I think 18" is a good limit 1/2" then 3/4" is better after that, mostly because the manufacturers don't increase the bar diameter with the length, snap-on included.

1/2 and 3/4, I normally use a ratchet with scaff bar on the end, ratchet and bar have no give, so all effort goes into the fastener, alloy scaff bar leaves no marks on ratchet wink wink!
Slogging spanners are my go to rather than breaker bar/ratchet, also good in tight spaces, caliper bolts etc.

 

[Melvyn Best]

I once broke a brand new Snap On 1/2” breaker bar like the second picture, Tha Snap On van was still in the car park. For really tight fittings I use a 3/4” drive tee bar and a length of scaffold .

 

[winchman]

Just an interesting fact the Britool Hallmark range of Breaker bars are made in 3 pieces and friction welded together.
Its something I never even thought about

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

My halfords one is of the second type (had it probably 15+ years)...I've really abused it on occasion...trolly jack handle off the end of it and it's survived!

If I'm honest I tend to think that most new stuff has had any safety margins long cut out of the design so I'd probably be looking for a second hand item these days as they might be a lot better made.

I bought a well known brand of lock recently to replace a night latch....the old barrel was solid brass....the new one was aluminium but also the least amount of aluminium that could possibly be gotten away with!

 

[qwakers]

ive snapped a 3/4 drive... it did take a seized hgv hub nut and a 30ft scaff pole to do it though.

ive bent a 1"t bar in similar circumstances too, but the 1" breaker i replaced it with did the job fine.

 

[Jack_K]

I prefer a T bar