A breaker bar is a tool used for leverage to free stuck bolts. It can be a length of metal pipe or a manufactured ratchet screwdriver. Using a cheat bar may cause tool failure, but manufacturers produce wrecking bars without a ratchet mechanism. A ratchet breaker bar eliminates the need for a second piece of material, but the best option is the ratchetless design. Breaker bars are used in various applications and are generally inexpensive.
In general, the term breaker bar refers to a length of pipe or metal used for leverage. A breaker bar can be anything from a simple length of metal pipe to an extra long manufactured ratchet screwdriver, the latter being a much safer and more effective method. It serves a variety of purposes, but the most common function is to free or “break” stuck bolts by using extra leverage and torque to turn the threaded bolt.
A breaker bar allows the user to take advantage of the additional leverage provided by a longer tool while applying the same amount of force. For example, by slipping a piece of pipe over the end of a ratchet, the user can apply additional leverage to the tool through the hammer bar, thus exerting more force on a stuck or rusted bolt. This process of using an extra piece of pipe threaded onto a ratchet is sometimes called using a cheat bar. While this method may work fine, be aware that this process may cause the tool to fail catastrophically; applying extra force to the ratchet mechanism can cause it to slip, potentially damaging both the tool and the bolt, as well as the user. To solve this problem, manufacturers produce wrecking bars without a ratchet mechanism; this applies more force directly to the socket and bolt, rather than flexing from the ratchet mechanism.
Many tool manufacturers also make a ratchet breaker bar, which is simply a ratcheting screwdriver with an extra long handle. This type of breaker bar eliminates the need for a second piece of material, thereby reducing the likelihood of tool slippage, which can cause tool and bolt damage and injury to the user. However, extra force applied to the ratchet mechanism is still a risk, so the best breaker bar option is the ratchetless design mentioned above.
Some common applications for a breaker bar include freeing lug nuts on car tires, freeing a variety of bolts in auto repair and maintenance where rust is a common problem thus causing many cases of stuck bolts, manufacturing applications, home renovation projects, and any other instance where a bolt has frozen in place. A breaker bar is a good investment to use in conjunction with a ratchet set, large or small. They’re generally inexpensive for a basic model, but higher-end ratcheting models may cost significantly more.
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