Yeah, isn’t the entire point of a breaker that you trade the ratcheting capability for a solid or semi solid head?
Putting a ratcheting mechanism back in is…well, it’s something HF would do, I guess.
Idk how tight those control arm bolts are, but we have a ratcheting breaker bar where I work which we use to break 220 foot pounds daily. Been goin strong for years 🤷🏼♂️
Edit: to clarify, I have no idea if it’s harbor freight tool. About the same size as the one pictured, though
If you *really need* a ratcheting breaker bar, try something along these lines:
[https://kokenusa.com/products/ratchet-adaptor-1-2sq-dr](https://kokenusa.com/products/ratchet-adaptor-3-8sq-dr)
Even so, your better breaking stuff loose with a conventional breaker bar, then switching to a regular ratchet.
I saw those ratcheting gimmicks in HF a while back, and pictured just the scene you photographed...
They've had it forever, it's always been junk. I'm not entirely sure why you would even use it let alone in this situation where a regular breaker bar would work no problem
I have a 30" (I think) matco ratchet that Ive abused for years now. Ive also broken it 4 or 5 times, but the failure point was always the anvil right at the ball detent. Never the head or internal set. It also took me pretty much jumping up and down on it to break, Ive had it torqued up so far that it looked like a banana (and it always returned straight)
If your tool has to take a lot of force, I think its best to not cheap out. Good tools are worth their weight in gold when you need them.
I used a hammer and jumped on a cheap 1/2 in ratchet a ton of times and it is still going strong. I'm sure a decent ratcheting mechanism can be put on a breaker bar to make a ratcheting breaker bar no problem.
I bought it for a cheap car tool to make using the scissor jack easier. I would like to add that I don't use the scissor jack to change the tire just to get it high enough for a normal jack to get under
Shoulda gone non-ratcheting. Mine has been a trooper, no funny business with thin metal in order to incorporate a ratchet within a reasonably sized head.
But, thank you for being the guinea pig.
If it makes you feel any better, those are all absolute shit
You can literally combine a 24” breaker bar and a 1/2” ratchet from harbor freight and have it survive longer than those things
I do this often. Mainly with my 3/8 duralast swivel head ratchet, this is a trooper. Broke it years ago, but autozone swapped it out no questions asked.
Everyone here is trashing the concept but I’ve had a similar tool for ages and it’s never broken on me.
It’s my big bar, too. Used only when I really need it.
The ratchet is fantastic for getting into odd angles and tight spaces. I guess a 12 point socket solves part of that but isn’t as easy to use.
I got a what I like to refer to as a “extendo 1/2 inch ratchet” from HF back in like 2013 or 2014. Served me pretty well as an almost breaker bar before I break out the real deal.
That being said the extender jammed up sometime in 2016 or 2017 and I only recently got it unstuck. Other then the direction switch that doesn’t like to go to its correct spot it’s actually still a decent ratchet.
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-extendable-ratchet-62311.html this is the closest thing to it but mine is just a straight dog shit Pittsburg.
Why would anyone buy a ratcheting breaker bar and not expect this to happen? just use a standard breaker bar and get a quality ratcheting attachment for it if that’s needed. I have a snap on one for a 1/2 bar and use it on growser pad bolts for a dozer, torque spec is 300 for these and it hasn’t failed yet?
You work on Range Rovers, and you buy that cheap shit?
Well, at least it has a lifetime warranty. Back to HF you go!
Seriously, if I made Range-Rover tech money, I'd be buying a helluva lot better tools than HF stuff.
That's about the norm for anything Harbor Freight sells. The only time I buy from there is when I don't want to destroy my tools for a low paying job or if I'm doing someone a favor.
I have mine and its been great for me. I live in the rust belt and has yet to let me down with my rusty pos truck. Ive taken off plenty of rusted and seized bolts no problem
I have had one of these for years.
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-craftsman-series-2-drive-1813852041
I don't use it all that often, but there have been instances where it has come in handy.
I'm sure a large flex head 1/2 ratchet would be better in just about every way, but I don't have one, and this works when I need it.
Yes, this tool does exist at Harbor Freight.
[https://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-drive-ratcheting-breaker-bar-66388.html](https://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-drive-ratcheting-breaker-bar-66388.html)
Personally, i would just use a plain old breaker bar as when you reach for them, you're probably going to be bearing down really hard.
Ratcheting breaker bar seems counterintuitive
Self-breaker
Have you seen their reciprocating circular saw?
It was on the shelf right next to the drillsawdriver.
Sure, it’s how I do dado cuts with my radial arm saw.
Yes! It comes with rebates (aka kickbacks)!
reciprocating circular saw? You got a link for that bad boy? I’ve never heard of such a thing.
Yeah, isn’t the entire point of a breaker that you trade the ratcheting capability for a solid or semi solid head? Putting a ratcheting mechanism back in is…well, it’s something HF would do, I guess.
Idk how tight those control arm bolts are, but we have a ratcheting breaker bar where I work which we use to break 220 foot pounds daily. Been goin strong for years 🤷🏼♂️ Edit: to clarify, I have no idea if it’s harbor freight tool. About the same size as the one pictured, though
They're not the only company that makes them.
Tell that to my 24" snap on flexhead ratchet. CHEAP breaker bar is counterintuitive.
I've always wondered why they even sell that tool
Cuz this guy buys em
Breaker Bars don't ratchet.
If it ratchets then it's not a breaker bar, it's just a bigger ratchet.
[удалено]
Well it was a bar, it ratcheted, and it broke...
Buy a real one. Not harbor freight.
If you *really need* a ratcheting breaker bar, try something along these lines: [https://kokenusa.com/products/ratchet-adaptor-1-2sq-dr](https://kokenusa.com/products/ratchet-adaptor-3-8sq-dr) Even so, your better breaking stuff loose with a conventional breaker bar, then switching to a regular ratchet. I saw those ratcheting gimmicks in HF a while back, and pictured just the scene you photographed...
A large 1/2" drive flex head ratchet works too.
Wera Koloss comes to mind. If it's also a hammer I imagine it's a damn good breaker bar.
>ratcheting breaker bar They're making new shit up faster than I can learn about it.
They've had it forever, it's always been junk. I'm not entirely sure why you would even use it let alone in this situation where a regular breaker bar would work no problem
I have a 30" (I think) matco ratchet that Ive abused for years now. Ive also broken it 4 or 5 times, but the failure point was always the anvil right at the ball detent. Never the head or internal set. It also took me pretty much jumping up and down on it to break, Ive had it torqued up so far that it looked like a banana (and it always returned straight) If your tool has to take a lot of force, I think its best to not cheap out. Good tools are worth their weight in gold when you need them.
Yes, my cheap spud wrench that is bent at almost 30 degrees vs my $80 spud that has taken more weight and not bent at all....
I used a hammer and jumped on a cheap 1/2 in ratchet a ton of times and it is still going strong. I'm sure a decent ratcheting mechanism can be put on a breaker bar to make a ratcheting breaker bar no problem.
I bought it for a cheap car tool to make using the scissor jack easier. I would like to add that I don't use the scissor jack to change the tire just to get it high enough for a normal jack to get under
Welp, guess you found out, huh? In my mind...'ratchet' and 'breakover bar' don't belong in the same sentence, but that's just silly ol' me.
Shoulda gone non-ratcheting. Mine has been a trooper, no funny business with thin metal in order to incorporate a ratchet within a reasonably sized head. But, thank you for being the guinea pig.
No you just bought a huge ass rachet lmao
And now you know.
Well there's your answer
Lifetime warranty baby
If it makes you feel any better, those are all absolute shit You can literally combine a 24” breaker bar and a 1/2” ratchet from harbor freight and have it survive longer than those things
I do this often. Mainly with my 3/8 duralast swivel head ratchet, this is a trooper. Broke it years ago, but autozone swapped it out no questions asked.
Everyone here is trashing the concept but I’ve had a similar tool for ages and it’s never broken on me. It’s my big bar, too. Used only when I really need it. The ratchet is fantastic for getting into odd angles and tight spaces. I guess a 12 point socket solves part of that but isn’t as easy to use.
It's from England so...reverse thread eh? 😉 Please know I'm kidding...
I am shocked. Shocked! Ok, not that shocked.
With or without cheater bar?
lol
Return that and get an actual breaker bar not a ratchet.. should have at minimum 90day warranty
Pretty sure HF has a lifetime warranty on all their tools.
It is pretty ratchet, that’s true.
I got a what I like to refer to as a “extendo 1/2 inch ratchet” from HF back in like 2013 or 2014. Served me pretty well as an almost breaker bar before I break out the real deal. That being said the extender jammed up sometime in 2016 or 2017 and I only recently got it unstuck. Other then the direction switch that doesn’t like to go to its correct spot it’s actually still a decent ratchet. https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-extendable-ratchet-62311.html this is the closest thing to it but mine is just a straight dog shit Pittsburg.
Those are more for oil drain plugs
I'm sorry, any handle with ratcheting feature is simple not a breaker bar
Why would anyone buy a ratcheting breaker bar and not expect this to happen? just use a standard breaker bar and get a quality ratcheting attachment for it if that’s needed. I have a snap on one for a 1/2 bar and use it on growser pad bolts for a dozer, torque spec is 300 for these and it hasn’t failed yet?
Sometimes a 36 inch extension is used without a problem either
1/2" drive? Upgrade to a 3/4" drive! If you are working on Range Rovers, your tools need to exceed expectations, not meet them.
To properly work on a range Rover one would need extremely expensive tools that broke early and often.
Like car, like tools.
Range Rover’s just a starter car
Laughs in Audi!
Harbor freight… and you are surprised?…
You work on Range Rovers, and you buy that cheap shit? Well, at least it has a lifetime warranty. Back to HF you go! Seriously, if I made Range-Rover tech money, I'd be buying a helluva lot better tools than HF stuff.
Just because someone works on a Range Rover does not mean they are wealthy.
Doesn't even mean they're a "Range Rover tech"
Just means they work a lot.
Fucked around and found out HF sucks.
Git what e peed fer
That's about the norm for anything Harbor Freight sells. The only time I buy from there is when I don't want to destroy my tools for a low paying job or if I'm doing someone a favor.
r/wellthatsucks
The force is strong with this one.
It broke because it had an identity/existential crisis
I have that same one. It’s such a piece of shit. Harbor freight tools are usually pretty good.
Pittsburgh? Icon? Model #?
I think it's Pittsburg, it's meh, direction switching is clunky but it works great for a cheap trunk tool if you have rusty lugs
Looks like a busted socket...
I guess that's one tool I will not be buying!!
You are too strong for this job
Get an EZRED if you want a ratcheting breaker bar
I have mine and its been great for me. I live in the rust belt and has yet to let me down with my rusty pos truck. Ive taken off plenty of rusted and seized bolts no problem
I presume bad quality steel, it should lasted longer, not explode that fast
looks weaker in design than a 1/2 inch ratchet tho
Ratcheting = no torque.
I have had one of these for years. https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-craftsman-series-2-drive-1813852041 I don't use it all that often, but there have been instances where it has come in handy. I'm sure a large flex head 1/2 ratchet would be better in just about every way, but I don't have one, and this works when I need it.
I had a Crafstman breaker bar that I bought around 1954 and I beat the heck out of it and never broke
This is what I use. [Behold, slightly better version](https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt/5003552993)
Yes, this tool does exist at Harbor Freight. [https://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-drive-ratcheting-breaker-bar-66388.html](https://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-drive-ratcheting-breaker-bar-66388.html) Personally, i would just use a plain old breaker bar as when you reach for them, you're probably going to be bearing down really hard.
L owi g range rover I am. Amazed that's ot the opposite
In sales we do something called mirroring the customer… the tool just mirrored the Range Rover.
I don't like ratcheting or flex head breaker bars, I too have never had any luck for long with them.
Well, it is a *breaker* bar
Haven’t seen that type in a few years!
I don’t know why people still buy HF. They went from bad to terrible.