Pipes for breaker bars?
Discussion
I feel like I might be committing a cardinal sin here for broaching this subject and perhaps inadvertently owning up to being a bit of a cowboy/bodger but it seems fairly standard practice, does it not, to sometimes revert to the 'poor man's torque multiplier' technique of sticking a pipe on the end of a breaker bar for extra leverage, right?
Whenever I've heard it mention, or seen it in action, the pipe in question is invariably a piece of sawn-off scaffolding or some other random pipe of unknown history. But what if you're not mates with a scaffolder or live next door to a building site? I note that they aren't seemingly sold in tool shops alongside the breaker bars, perhaps so as not to actively encourage abuse of their tools in this way, so where should I be going to avail myself of something suitable?
Whenever I've heard it mention, or seen it in action, the pipe in question is invariably a piece of sawn-off scaffolding or some other random pipe of unknown history. But what if you're not mates with a scaffolder or live next door to a building site? I note that they aren't seemingly sold in tool shops alongside the breaker bars, perhaps so as not to actively encourage abuse of their tools in this way, so where should I be going to avail myself of something suitable?
Edited by tux850 on Thursday 25th January 10:50
tux,
This seems to be SOP for even professionals if they encounter a too tight fastener. Obviously there is a limit (if only by the length of the extension!) but you are stressing the tool beyond it's design limits, so has to be used with caution.
As to where to get a tube to act as an extension, I can't answer that precisely. Sad to say, although I would have agreed with paintman, I have recently found that my favoured scrap yard can no longer allow me to rootle in their heaps and buy the odd piece at scrap prices, as they may only sell scrap to "licenced scrap dealers"!
Perhaps a local fabrication workshop would let you look in their off cut bin for something suitable? Almost any steel tube (not copper!) that will fit over the handle of your breaker bar will do, scaffolding tube is very heavy and clumsy! Or, look on eBay, for steel tube? It's not that expensive, think of it a another tool! EG https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282004721877?var=580959...
John
This seems to be SOP for even professionals if they encounter a too tight fastener. Obviously there is a limit (if only by the length of the extension!) but you are stressing the tool beyond it's design limits, so has to be used with caution.
As to where to get a tube to act as an extension, I can't answer that precisely. Sad to say, although I would have agreed with paintman, I have recently found that my favoured scrap yard can no longer allow me to rootle in their heaps and buy the odd piece at scrap prices, as they may only sell scrap to "licenced scrap dealers"!
Perhaps a local fabrication workshop would let you look in their off cut bin for something suitable? Almost any steel tube (not copper!) that will fit over the handle of your breaker bar will do, scaffolding tube is very heavy and clumsy! Or, look on eBay, for steel tube? It's not that expensive, think of it a another tool! EG https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282004721877?var=580959...
John
Thanks everyone, it really does seem like it is not necessarily something you buy then but more of a find/repurpose activity through which everyone finds their own way!
I'll never look at a table, old bike etc in quite the same way ever again...
Edit: It has just dawned on me that I have in the past used a makeshift extension on my 3/8" ratchet (wince, I know, and I've even used a lump hammer once or twice too) and that extension is, I think, an old bike seat tube. It seems I was already a club member without realising it! Obviously need something bigger/longer for the breaker bar though.
I'll never look at a table, old bike etc in quite the same way ever again...
Edit: It has just dawned on me that I have in the past used a makeshift extension on my 3/8" ratchet (wince, I know, and I've even used a lump hammer once or twice too) and that extension is, I think, an old bike seat tube. It seems I was already a club member without realising it! Obviously need something bigger/longer for the breaker bar though.
Edited by tux850 on Thursday 25th January 11:46
I remember trying to undo one of the suspension bolts of my Unimog, ended up using a hydraulic portapower, off the chassis leg onto the breaker bar. There wasn’t enough room to add an extension pole as it all flexed too much and hit the floor before the nut broke free. I think the book figure was about 550 ft/lb on the nut.
normalbloke said:
I remember trying to undo one of the suspension bolts of my Unimog, ended up using a hydraulic portapower, off the chassis leg onto the breaker bar. There wasn’t enough room to add an extension pole as it all flexed too much and hit the floor before the nut broke free. I think the book figure was about 550 ft/lb on the nut.
I've used a breaker bar wedged under the car then spun the engine on the starter motor to loosen crank pully bolts before as I had no lift and was working off axle stands so no room, worked a treat (both times).
Obviously the other option is to go out and buy yourself a good big breaker bar!
https://www.toolstation.com/draper-breaker-bar/p72... 640mm 2ft Draper 1/2" drive. for £26
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-pro229-3-4-... or 900mm 3ft Clarke 3/4" drive for £52
https://www.toolstation.com/draper-breaker-bar/p72... 640mm 2ft Draper 1/2" drive. for £26
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-pro229-3-4-... or 900mm 3ft Clarke 3/4" drive for £52
Edited by dhutch on Thursday 25th January 13:26
dhutch said:
Obviously the other option is to go out and buy yourself a good big breaker bar!
+1This is my go to 3/4" drive ratchet when bolts are not moving, you can stand on it, or add a pipe if needed.
https://www.facom.eu/uk-en/professiontools/product...
smack said:
This is my go to 3/4" drive ratchet when bolts are not moving, you can stand on it, or add a pipe if needed.
https://www.facom.eu/uk-en/professiontools/product...
Nice.https://www.facom.eu/uk-en/professiontools/product...
tux850 said:
dhutch said:
Obviously the other option is to go out and buy yourself a good big breaker bar!
Yeah that's an option. Don't overlook the obvious! There was a 'bulk buy' type deal on the 1/2" 2ft draper a long time ago that took it to like £10 and I just had one because it was rude not to.
Game changer, I used it all the time for changing wheels (including buying a dedicated 17, 18 and 19mm 3/4" socket) but also for a host of other things.
Often combined with a 1/2" to 3/8" adapter. Buy the best adapter you can find....!
Saves mauling yourself with an 18" breaker, or pinching you skin between a rust scaf bar!
smack said:
This is my go to 3/4" drive ratchet when bolts are not moving, you can stand on it, or add a pipe if needed.
https://www.facom.eu/uk-en/professiontools/product...
Looking at the picture it didn't particularly jump out at me, but then I saw the specs and that it weighs 2.9kg and is Diameter D1 of 25mm the thickness of the handle? Yeah, I could see an inch-thick tool like that feeling pretty substantial and effective in the hands!https://www.facom.eu/uk-en/professiontools/product...
Edited by tux850 on Thursday 25th January 13:33
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