The term cheater bar usually refers to a section of pipe or other makeshift wrench extension that you can use to increase the lever arm for high torque applications. Sometimes cheater bars work, other times they only serve as a quick way to bend or break your wrench, at the least. Another way of loosening really tight fasteners is to use a long breaker bar with a socket or crowfoot if access is reduced.
The Wrench Extender is exactly what it sounds like – it’s a tool that couples with your wrench to extend its length. A longer wrench means a longer lever arm, which means you could apply more torque with less effort than with just the wrench.
The Wrench Extender can accommodate up to 1″ wrenches, and wrenches with shafts up to 7/16″ (11mm thick). It doesn’t care which way you insert a wrench and can be used for tightening or loosening applications. If you want to switch directions, simply flip the Wrench Extender over.
Although pricier than a section of black pipe, the Wrench Extender can be used with one hand and more easily fits in your toolbox. It also features two rare earth magnets to help hold wrenches in place.
Price: $25
Buy Now(via Lee Valley)
What do you think? Personally, I prefer to use a breaker bar and dead blow hammer route when a wrench just isn’t enough. If only a wrench could fit, I’ll sometimes take a dead blow hammer to the shaft as well. Not a very big hammer, but something like the Nupla Handi-Hammer handleless dead blow hammer.
