Weak girly hands...

Yup. Breaker bars - or flex-end socket wrenches. My 18" Craftsman version has served me well for many proejcts. I generally don't use my impact gun unless I have to.

Try to budget a few $ in each project for tools. Then go to Sears or H-F and shop a bit when you need something... or even when you don't need something. Eventually, you may end up like me... as I can walk through the Sears tool dept and have trouble finding something I don't already have... bearing in mind I'm an affirmed tool-junky with a tool collection that rivals some professionals I've met...

Just thinking out loud - you may want to go with an air impact wrench over a plug in electric if you feel your grip strength is suspect. Air impact wrenches are half the size and lighter than the electrics - and have more torque on top of it.

Going back to basics - the suggestion earlier for wobble sockets and universals is a good one. Even just an extension will often let you get the ratchet in a position where you can put in a bit more leverage on it.

Also, this may be something everyone does. But just in case - use two hands. Put one on the ratcheting end and the other on, well, the other end. This will make it easy to put more pressure on the wrench. And straight-arm it if you have to.

I don't have a breaker bar. But I do have Liquid Wrench.

My other leverage trick is to hook the box end of a spare large combination wrench over the open end of the working wrench to give you twice the lever arm (torque) for loosening stuborn fasteners.

I prefer a breaker bar to save the stress on the ratchet mechanism.

Every single mechanic who's performed that trick in front of me always says "you shouldn't do this, but..."

I do the same

I think I've only busted one ratchet in 15 years. Usually, if something is tight enough that a breaker bar is called for, I look for alternative solutions such as lubrication.

If your hands are truly jacked up, get yourself a few small impact drivers as well as the big boy. My friend has early onset arthritis that basically reduced his grip strength to damn near nothing. He uses a Bosch Li-Ion pistol grip 1/4" hex on screws and small fasteners like the dashboard stuff, uses a small DeWalt 3/8" cordless impact on mid size stuff, and has an air powered 1/2" drive impact for the big stuff. He also has a nice complement of air ratchets in 1/4" and 3/8" variants and a butterfly impact. Its all outfitted with appropriately sized swivel impact sockets which are awesome.

Get yourself some nice tools with comfortable grips as well. I am partial to Snap-On hard handles, but you may find something else you like. They are significantly more comfortable than straight steel bars on ratchets and the round or hex heads on Craftsman screwdrivers. You get more leverage, a better grip, and way less fatigue.

While you are spending money with the Snap-On guy (or girl), get yourself a few long handle swivel head ratchets. More leverage and a swivel head to clear obstructions to get a better angle. They are offered in all sorts of different bends, lengths, drives, and configurations and make wrenching that much more pleasant.

Don't forget to get yourself a set of long pattern wrenches as well. They are usually 50% or so longer than a standard wrench in that size and truly make a difference in leverage and utility.

Just don't go overtightening stuff thanks to your newly acquired mechanical advantage!

Great info guys. And to 93gsx I hadn't thought about arthritis sufferers, but yes, we'd have the same grip issues! Really helpful details.

And, I learned my lesson with in $2010 with screwing things on with an impact wrench...it'll be awhile (hopefully) before I make that mistake again! :D

Ian F wrote: Yup. Breaker bars - or flex-end socket wrenches. My 18" Craftsman version has served me well for many proejcts. I generally don't use my impact gun unless I have to. Try to budget a few $ in each project for tools. Then go to Sears or H-F and shop a bit when you need something... or even when you don't need something. Eventually, you may end up like me... as I can walk through the Sears tool dept and have trouble finding something I don't already have... bearing in mind I'm an affirmed tool-junky with a tool collection that rivals some professionals I've met...

I've got a decent breaker bar, but the angle I was at behind the seat made it hard to use. I also picked up some u-joints at Orchard Supply Hardware's "25% off all Craftsman tools for Father's Day!" sale. :D In fact, I picked up a lot of things at that sale...

I figure, since I don't have a car payment, setting aside $200-$300 a month for tools isn't a bad idea. Once I've got things covered, I can put that money aside for a lift one day. :D

I picked up the corded Harbor Freight impact with a coupon for $29.99. Since then I haven't needed to break out the pipe to change wheel bearings.

Uh, ACDF? Or did that happen already?

Anyway, Moar Toolz. 3/8" air ratchets are CHEAP. Hunk of pipe that fits the 3/8" and 1/2" non-air ratchets and the breaker bar. Wobble extensions. Impact gun. Friends.

ACDF? Not familiar with the acronym...

dollraves wrote: ACDF? Not familiar with the acronym...

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion - neck surgery to you and me.

Wow, most of the good ideas are taken already. One thing I learned was that really good wrenches and sockets (Matco, Snap-On etc) seem to "grip" better than the cheap stuff. The tool flexes and stretches less. You can still use less expensive rachets and pry bars though. I have a 120v 1/2 drive too, it's great, but bulky. Air is great too, but electric is easier to transport for "on site' work. Just bring a long cord.

Extra tip: When lifting heavy things, try to get your forearms to take the load, not your fingers. Keep your elbows at your sides.

Not sure if its been said.... Oxy torch. A f@#$ ton of heat will make almost any bolt easier to extract.

Whenever I am breaking anything significantly stuck loose I use a breaker bar.

Owning a set of these has pretty much stopped me from having to go in for replacement ratchets on a regular basis. Right tool for the right job and all that.

If that cant break it loose I have a 1 foot section of heavy walled steel pipe. If that dosent work I have a 4 foot section of same. Usually this is where it breaks loose/ bolt breaks/ you have sense to stop and heat or lube it up.

Even though I have the impact, I dont use it for too much of my deconstruction (and NEVER for inserting a bolt (exception, zipping on lugnuts))

Last weekend I spent some good time under my miata on the creeper pulling on the breaker bar (+ pipe frequently) with my feet on the framerails (so I dont roll on the creeper) to get the trans bolts undone.

If you can get your foot on it use your leg. It should be way stronger that your arms.

mrhappy wrote: If you can get your foot on it use your leg. It should be way stronger that your arms.

This. If in doubt, I kick the E36 M3 out of it.

I too have discovered the joys of the dedicated breaker bar after destroying many a rachet.

I have not needed a heavy steel wall tube though, I find a nice thick walled, large diametre aluminum works very well. It also gives me more to pull on to meet my grip. After giving myself tendonitius this past winter R&Ring the head on my saab.. I am buying air tools

MitchellC wrote: Harbor Freight sells cheater bars that are cheaper than general purpose pipe.

And it doubles as a hammer !!

dollraves i use electric impacts also for almost everything. i too suffer from low hand strength and well low arm stregth (but hey i can do 7 real pushups took me 4 months of working out to get to that point)

KATYB wrote: dollraves i use electric impacts also for almost everything. i too suffer from low hand strength and well low arm stregth (but hey i can do 7 real pushups took me 4 months of working out to get to that point)

That's 6.5 more than most people.

Pullup bar. Used to have pretty bad wrists (hur hur insert wankin' joke here), now I'm doing two finger pullups and am a boss at getting pickle jars open.

Bonus the bar can also function as a cheater bar.

akamcfly wrote:

KATYB wrote: dollraves i use electric impacts also for almost everything. i too suffer from low hand strength and well low arm stregth (but hey i can do 7 real pushups took me 4 months of working out to get to that point)

That's 6.5 more than most people.

yep but i also only weight 125 lbs so not that impressive when you think of it that way.

Osterkraut wrote: Bonus the bar can also function as a cheater bar.

And a hammer.

Also, in a pinch, I have been known to hork the handle out of my floor jack and use that. it's 4 feet long, it works well.