Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Hand Tools). This thread is read-only.
I was thinking about a 1\2″ drive bar. My question is, do I need 1\2″ sockets or can I use my 3\8 sockets?
Since the 1/2″ drive refers to the connection of the socket to the bar, you need either 1/2″ sockets or a 1/2″ to 3/8″ adapter for the 3/8″ sockets. Because of the torque involved with a breaker bar though it’s best not to use any adapters or extensions.
In theory you can always use any size socket with the correct size adapters.
However I try to stay away from adapters especially going smaller with a breaker bar. If your using the breaker bar for leverage your likely to just snap the 3/8 adapter.
Fletcher94 wrote:
In theory you can always use any size socket with the correct size adapters.
However I try to stay away from adapters especially going smaller with a breaker bar. If your using the breaker bar for leverage your likely to just snap the 3/8 adapter.
and to add onto this if you dont want to use adapters you can buy a 3/8 breaker bar and if you don’t have enough leverage you can always use a piece of pipe.