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LockedBreak Loose Bars are Good

posted on November 01, 2009 at 04:36PM Inappropriate?

One of the very bestest tools, that'll add years of productivity to your Craftsman ratchet, is a Craftsman Break-Loose-Bar (BLB).

This tool is MUCH stronger than any ratchet and is sold by Craftsman in 1/4, 3/8, two 1/2, and a 3/4 inch selection of drive sizes.

The tools are generically called Breaker Bars.

But, that sounds potentially "bad".

Craftsman calls them Flex T-handles.

But, ever since the hole in the end of the handle was removed, there is no provision for the "T" feature to be used.

So, I have coined the more accurate term of Break-Loose-Bar.

Because, this is precisely what these tools' forteit are - Breaking Loose fasteners.

Ratchets are built for "speed" and NOT the pure power that a BLB can supply.

So, one of the best MTS upgrades one can do is to get some Craftsman BLB's from a nearby Sears store.

The 15 inch long, 1/2 inch drive BLB is more likely to fit in a plastic Mechanic's Tool Set, than the full 18 inch long BLB.

replies: 14 latest post: May 05, 2010 at 04:52PM by AdamO
Displaying all 14 posts
posted on November 01, 2009 at 04:38PM
 

Sadly, at this time, there are no longer-leverage, highly-polished, Craftsman Professional Break-Loose-Bars offered...

posted on November 01, 2009 at 04:39PM
 

I wish Craftsman had a longer leverage 3/4 inch drive BLB.

Even a raised-panel, 24 inch long, 3/4 inch drive BLB would be welcome.

posted on November 03, 2009 at 03:16AM
 

The store is up to, TWO 3/4 inch drive Break-Loose-Bars.

There's a couple of hook-fulls of 1/2 inch drive BLB's.

Same for the 3/8 inch drive ones.

There are always a "few" 1/4 inch drive BLB's.

But, practically no one buys the smallest one's...

posted on November 04, 2009 at 10:54AM
 

It's hard to rebuild/restore Break-Loose-Bars.

There aren't no rebuild kits for the Craftsman BLB's.

Whatcha got to do is save the bits, pins, springs and ball-bearings from BLB's that have "failed" somewhere else...

Of course, no longer being a store PMT puts a big "crimp" into that strategy...

I think the new PMT has "thrown out" all the old ratchet and miscellaneous stuff.

Sigh...

posted on November 19, 2009 at 11:39PM
 

Is this a spam thread for breaker bars?  Yes, they are very useful tools.  However, it's easy to do damage with them because human hands don't exert short bursts of torque like air driven impact wrenches do.  Impact wrenches can undo things that you can't hold still easily while trying to use a breaker bar, such as crankshaft pulleys.  An advantage of breaker bars is that you can get them into tight places where impact tools won't fit.

It would be interesting to see a cross between a socket wrench and a breaker bar.  It would be some tool that you would turn a little to cock a spring and then release the torque in a short impact.  Has there ever been such a thing?

posted on November 20, 2009 at 08:52AM
 

they are the best tools youcan buy/////.

posted on November 20, 2009 at 09:14PM
 

Break-Loose-Bars will ultimately prolong the longevity of your ratchets.

If you have an Impact Wrench, you have a good-sized air compressor, the impact wrench AND a set or more of black-finished impact sockets for use on the impact wrench(s).

Great.

Breaker bars are for those of use that don't own Impact wrenches...

Or, for jobs that can be done faster than setting up the air compressor and fitting on the impact wrench and special socket.

posted on November 20, 2009 at 11:40PM
 

Electric impact wrenches work well.  (Even my 1/2 inch drive cordless one works well, which surprised me.)  So one can have impact without an air compressor.

Some mechanics say to use the black impact sockets whenever possible, even with ratchets since these sockets fit tighter than the silvery ones.  

The most useful breaker bar accessory is a length to pipe that slides over the handle to make it even longer.  I've used fairly flimsy tubes with no problem.  My favorite is a metal tube that was designed to fit around the bar of a barbell. 

 

posted on November 26, 2009 at 10:25PM
 

Turns out you need to buy a set of over 500 tools to get those "optional" Break-Loose-Bars.

Or, you could add the functionality of a good BLB, in each drive size, individually from any Sears store.

I've even invested in a $53 dollar 3/4 inch drive Craftsman BLB.

posted on December 03, 2009 at 03:57AM
 

Breaker Bars make really GREAT presents...

Talk about a "I never would have guessed" stocking stuffer...

I just sold a 3/4 inch drive Breaker Bar.

Now, THAT'S a pretty big tool!

I already got one, a few years back, for "Plumbing" work.

:)

posted on December 07, 2009 at 10:05PM
 

"Plumbing" work aye? Is that some sort of euphimism?

IRT Impact wrenches. sometimes they dont provide enough torque, unless you have one with a 1" drive and a really nice air compressor. Thats when a breaker bar and a 4' pipe is king.

posted on December 08, 2009 at 12:23PM
 

Nope. The last DIY'r that worked on the bathroom sink, put the drain plug BEHIND the drywall.

Most Plumbing tools can't "swing" that kind of situation.

But, a 2 inch, 12 point, 3/4 inch drive socket and Break-Loose-Bar did so, with ease...

And now, I have my very own 3/4 inch drive, Craftsman BLB...

posted on December 12, 2009 at 05:09PM
 

This is the PERFECT time to give a BLB as a present.

You got all them empty gift wrap paper tubes hang'n around, just waiting for a 1/2 inch drive, 15 or 18 inch long Craftsman Break-Loose-Bar to be put inside.

The gift recipient will think they're getting a really HEAVY salami, when in fact - BAM!

They'll be getting a U.S. Made, life-time warranted, ratchet augmentation and longevity saving tool!

Umm...

A paper towel card board tube will work well for the 3/8 inch drive BLB.

I think the 1/4 inch drive BLB will fit in a TP empty cardboard roll tube...

posted on May 05, 2010 at 04:52PM
 

I got me a Craftsman, highly-polished, 3/8 inch drive Break-Loose-Bar!

It looks so cool and is a little easier to grip than the standard raised flat-panel handled Craftsman 3/8 inch Break-Loose-Bar.

It can be obtained from the same source as the Craftsman 3/8 inch drive Spinner handle.

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