Breaker bar knuckle

[denchy1]

bertieg said:

the point is, 3/8 should be able to take it. i have used many 3/8 torque wrenches rated up to and beyond 100nm. (admittedly normally snap-on or similar top end tooling)

i have a 1/2 breaker bar too, but i prefer to use 3/8 on smaller stuff. the simple question was if anyone can recommend anything, short of snap on, that isn't rubbish.

Not really they go up to around 100Nm as you shouldn't use them at the extremes of their range to get the best accuracy.

With wheel nuts being put on at around 120Nm and often requiring more torque to remove. Yeah you may be able to get away with 3/8 in an emergency but why make work for yourself, a nice long 1/2 bar will make life easier than a shorter 3/8 bar, and it seems like you have one anyway. Some numpty at quick fit may have had there impact wrench on it and done them up to 300Nm.

[Tampon]

one eyed mick said:

Keep using 3/8 drive and the parrot will bend it's beak!!!

Crap parrot, just buy a better one....

[Krikkit]

bertieg said:

Krikkit said:

Point is that a breaker bar isn't a torque wrench - the bar obviously can't take it whereas the mechanism inside a torque wrench can.

If you have a half inch bar get it out to do wheel nuts, keep it next to your 3/8 bar so you don't have to go looking for it.

its nothing to do with the mechanism or the bar, they would both have the same inherent weak spot, as they both have a 3/8 drive on the end.

The original post would suggest that the knuckle breaks - something which a torque wrench doesn't have.

[callyman]

mudster said:

I've got a 1/2" Halfords professional breaker bar. I've had a 4ft piece of scaffolding pole on the end to undo a hub nut (and only just managed to get enough force). No signs of it giving up yet.

I have the same, but as yet have not put it through any punishment.
Nice to know it's made of stern stuff.