Full Answer
What is the difference between a torque wrench and a breaker bar?
The main difference between a torque wrench and a breaker bar is that the torque wrench allows you to measure or control the torque of a fastener. Conversely, a breaker bar is a heavy-duty hand tool used for loosening frozen nuts or bolts and has no torque control or ratchet mechanism. Can You Use a Torque Wrench as a Breaker Bar? No.
What is a breaker bar and how does it work?
The fundamental of a breaker bar is quite simple! It is used to break loose extremely tight fasteners and, the items are capable of doing this because of the exceptionally long lengths of the item. Also, called power bars, the long non-ratcheting bar produces enough force and torque compared to conventional socket wrenches. What Is A Torque Wrench?
What happens if a breaker bar is too long?
A breaker bar that’s too long may be difficult to get into tight spaces. It may also produce too much torque, creating so much force that it shears off a bolt rather than loosens it. This risk makes it a good idea to always use safety glasses when using any size breaker bar.
What size Drive do I need for a breaker bar?
Most breaker bars have a ½-inch or ⅜-inch head to facilitate removing larger nuts, such as lug nuts. That said, smaller sizes can come in handy for removing smaller frozen or heavily corroded nuts. Larger ¾-inch drives are generally reserved for longer 40-inch breaker bars while smaller 6- to 8-inch breaker bars have ¼-inch drives.
How much torque can a breaker bar apply?
Because of their mechanics and design, breaker bars can manage much higher torque limits than torque wrenches. This enables the user to apply up to 2,500 ft/lbs of maximum torque on a breaker bar without the risk of breaking it.
How much torque can a 1/2 inch breaker bar take?
This breaker bar has a 180° swivel head and an ergonomically designed handle. Torque range of 50 ft. to 250 ft. lbs.
Will a breaker bar break bolt?
Breaker bars are exactly what they sound like: bars designed to break bolts loose. They're big, solid, often long pieces of metal that allow the user to apply as much force as possible to any nut or bolt you can fit them to.
Are breaker bars stronger than ratchets?
The long handle on breaker bars compared to shorter wrenches allow a larger torque to be generated with the same amount of force. Also, the absence of a ratcheting mechanism makes a breaker bar considerably stronger than a ratchet. This allows greater torque to be applied to a fastener without the tool failing.
How strong are breaker bars?
At more than 3 feet long, a 40-inch breaker bar can produce a staggering 1,000 foot-pounds of torque. If a nut won't come off under the pressure of a 40-inch bar, then it will probably need to be cut off.
Is an impact wrench better than a breaker bar?
The impact wrench supplies much more acceleration than you can do with a breaker bar (you can't twist a breaker bar very fast), so the impact wrench gives you a short high burst of force which can break loose a fastener which you can't loosen with a breaker bar.
How many pounds of torque do I need to remove lug nuts?
A quick glance at a lug nut torque chart shows that most lug nuts should be torqued between 80 and 100 ft-lbs. Some require less torque, others more.
How much torque can a 1/2 inch drive take?
11,500 ft-lbsSOCKET DRIVE SIZES – TORQUE LIMITS & MAXIMUM TYPICAL LOADINGDrive SizeReasonable Torque Rating Limit*1-1/2″ Square Drive11,500 ft-lbs [15,600 Nm]2-1/2″ Square Drive45,000 ft-lbs [61,015 Nm]3-1/2″ Square Drive100,000 ft-lbs [135,590 Nm]4-1/2″ Square Drive200,000 ft-lbs [271,165 Nm]4 more rows
Can I use a breaker bar to tighten lug nuts?
A: Yes, this is what a breaker bar is for; to give someone more leverage when loosening or tightening a bolt or nut.
What size breaker bar is best?
Although length is necessary, there is generally no need to buy the longest break bar you can get your hands on; usually, 16 to 24 inches should be enough for general use. This 1/2-inch extendable breaker bar bar gives you the best of both worlds by allowing you to get the perfect length no matter the job.
How much torque can you apply by hand with a wrench?
Quarter-inch drive click wrenches can use most standard sockets and can tighten fasteners that need anywhere from 20 to 250 inch-pounds of torque. Inch driver versions can be set from 150-750 foot-pounds for heavy-duty manufacturing.
Can you break lugs with a torque wrench?
0:041:03How to Use a Torque Wrench to Tighten Lug Nuts - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut when you get home loosen up the lug nuts and retighten them with the torque wrench that'llMoreBut when you get home loosen up the lug nuts and retighten them with the torque wrench that'll prevent you from breaking the stud or warping a brake rotor.
Will impact wrench break bolts?
Impact wrenches are designed to break bolts loose or torque them up with extraordinary power capabilities making them perfect for nut running. The hammering action from an impact wrench can make bolting work much easier for the operator, specifically when loosening any stubborn bolt.
Is an impact wrench more likely to break a bolt?
In most cases, using an impact gun will be less likely to cause the fastener to fail. Here is my reasoning: Impact guns provide high torque for very short periods of time. This jarring action or "impact" is going to be more likely to free the fastener.
Do impact wrenches damage nuts?
Did you know that impact wrenches shouldn't be used to tighten lug nuts? This may damage or break the nuts, and – in best case scenario – you'll have trouble unscrewing them with a hand wrench.
Can you use impact sockets with a breaker bar?
Do not use impact sockets with hand tools such as ratchets, breaker bars, leverage bars or torque multipliers. Use only impact sockets or chisels that are in good condition. Worn tools reduce impact power and could also shatter resulting in personal injury.
How much torque can a 40 inch breaker bar produce?
At more than 3 feet long, a 40-inch breaker bar can produce a staggering 1,000 foot-pounds of torque.
How much does a breaker bar weigh?
This makes it more susceptible to bending or even breaking when a significant amount of force is applied. With that in mind, most breaker bars weigh between 1.5 and 3 pounds, depending on size, which makes them light enough to manage but stout enough to hold up to the forces they must endure.
What size breaker bar to use to remove lug nuts?
While an 18-inch breaker bar will suffice for removing lug nuts, a 24-inch bar is typically the best option. This allows the operator to remove the lug nuts easily without straining the back or placing an undue amount of force on the nuts or bolts.
How long is a telescoping breaker bar?
These telescoping breaker bars have an adjustable length, typically from around 16 to 24 inches. To operate these bars, the user typically twists the bar clockwise to extend or retract the bar and counterclockwise to tighten it.
What is a Maxpower breaker bar?
An innovative dual-head design makes this Maxpower breaker bar one of the most versatile models on the market. Its rotating head is double-sided, with a ½-inch drive on one side and a ⅜-inch drive on the other. A spring-loaded ball bearing ensures that sockets stay on regardless of which side is used.
What size drives are needed for a 40 inch breaker?
Larger ¾-inch drives are generally reserved for longer 40-inch breaker bars while smaller 6- to 8-inch breaker bars have ¼-inch drives. Avoid using adapters to change the drive size, as this could cause damage to the machinery or the breaker bar.
What type of steel is used in breaker bars?
While many breaker bars use the same type of steel for the breaker bar head, higher-end models use chrome molybdenum. A harder and tougher steel alloy than vanadium steel, a chrome molybdenum head is less likely to bend or break under pressure.
What Is A Breaker Bar?
The fundamental of a breaker bar is quite simple! It is used to break loose extremely tight fasteners and, the items are capable of doing this because of the exceptionally long lengths of the item. Also, called power bars, the long non-ratcheting bar produces enough force and torque compared to conventional socket wrenches.
What is torque wrench?
However, it is a tool that is guaranteed to provide specific torque on the nut or bolt in order to fasten it. The torque wrench is an ideal choice where the tightness is given the highest importance!
What type of wrench is a click type?
Also, there are lots of choices when choosing the click-type wrench, such as beam torque wrench, and mechatronic torque wrench. Furthermore, these wrenches exceptional performance and hones your skills further. However, there is a downfall to this type. The clicks do not prevent the over-tightening of the nuts and bolts.
What is the most accurate torque wrench?
One of the most efficient and accurate forms of torque wrenches are the digital ones . Digital torque wrenches are pre-calibrated and enable you to reach the required torque with minimum effort. Furthermore, on reaching the ideal torque, the wrench notifies you through a buzzer or something in a similar fashion.
Can you use a torque angle gauge with a torque wrench?
You can also use torque angle gauge with them. (A word of caution: Avoid loosening with a torque wrench as you might end up tampering with the calibration and rending the device useless.) On the other hand, breaker bars are more efficient when compare to wrenches.
Do torque wrenches come in different styles?
Now torque wrenches doe come in a variety of styles, and, in this section, we shall provide you the information you need to pick the kind of torque wrench best for you!
Can torque wrenches be used for the same job?
There is a misconception regarding the two items and, that is both of them can be used for the same kind of work. Well, that is not true. As you see, torque wrenches are more like a measuring device (measuring the appropriate torque required) that is also capable of tightening nuts and bolts. You can also use torque angle gauge with them.
What is a 1/2" break bar?
In other words, a 1/2" break bar is for 1/2" and smaller and so on.
What is the best impact size for 1/2?
Most good 1/2 impacts go up into the 250lb to 400-450 range.
Can you break out a 3/4 drive breaker bar?
Never really had to break out a 3/4 drive breaker bar, usually you get a longer breaker bar or a pipe and gain more leverage. Impact guns are excelent for getting tight fasteners off, just have to be careful not to snap the head off.
Can you snap a bolt on a 3/4 drive?
A lot of times just doing simple things like squirting some penetrating oil will help. If you want to know when to use a 1/2" or a 3/4" drive and at what torque settings, you won't find a solid answer.
How much weight can you break on a 3/8 breaker bar?
if you have high quality tools it is common to get 200-230 lbs on 3/8 breaker bar but you will most likely be using a cheater pipe to add a foot or two of leverage. If you do the same to a ratchet it will probably break at 200 lbs. assuming the tooth count is high (90- 100).Ratchets with lesser tooth counts are stronger and normally come in 1/2 inch drives. see youtube for demonstrations.
How much lbs will break a 3/8 drive?
I tested this out accidentally while doing an axle nut. 150 ft-lbs will break a 3/8" drive usually and about 300 ft-lbs will break a 1/2" drive. These are on regular breaker bars that are partially hollow and have the little ball in the space of the head to hold the socket.
What size drives are needed for a Fed spec?
This spec gives test-torque requirements for 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4 and 1.0 inch drives for ratchets, universals, hinged breaker bars, extensions, etc.
How much weight can a 1/2 drive extension hold?
So I think it would reasonable to say that, even with a tiny factor of safety, a 1/2 drive extension should be able to handle 1000 lb ft
What is the maximum socket size for 1/2"?
Maximum socket size I can find for 1/2" is 36mm, that translates to an M24 fixing: http://stainlessautomotivefastenings.co.uk/pdfs/HEXAGONHEADIDENTIFIER.pdf
Working Principle
Function
Size & Weight
Ratchet Mechanism
Efficiency
Safety
Price
- Breaker bars are far less expensive than torque wrenches. You can get a breaker bar for as little as $20, while a torque wrench will cut at least a $100 hole in your pocket. More if you want an upmarket one, and even more if you opt for an automated one. So, breaker bars are easily replaced, while torque wrenches are not.
Can I Use An Extension with A Torque Wrench?