TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT PRY BAR

Pry bars, frequently called crowbars or pinch bars, are hand leverage tools used to pull two objects apart. Their angled, flattened end acts as a lever and heel allows the user to apply a significant amount of force between objects. They are made from alloy steel, they are durable, reliable, and are the right tool for many situations where leverage is required. Some of the applications where a pry bar is helpful are:

  • Removing trim and molding
  • Levering a tire into place
  • Opening stuck windows
  • Shifting heavy items
  • Ripping up decking or flooring
  • Aligning automotive assemblies

A pry bar must be made from forged alloy steel and be comfortable and safe to use. When using this type of tool always wear ANSI approved eye protection. Whether you’re a professional mechanic or contractor, make sure you buy the right tool for the job. Top quality pry bars from brands like Snap-On, Kline, and Rigid are expensive but, there are many less expensive ones that will still do the job. You want a tool that is made from drop forged, heat treated, carbon steel for strength and resilience with grips that are easy to clean and comfortable. Grips, of course, are not an issue for crow bars and “wonder” bars. Keep away from stainless steel because it is too brittle for this kind of use. You might want to do a hey Siri of hey Alexa search for some additional ideas.

There are several types of bars so choose the one that is right for your job.

TYPES OF PRY BARS:

  • The mechanic’s pry bar is one of the most common and also most useful. It typically has a plastic or TPR HANDLE WITH SQUARE STEEL SHAFTS AND AN ANGLED END WITH A SHARPENED EDGE. a GOOD EXAMPLE OF A QUALITY AND AFFORDABLE SET IS tECH tEAM’S #707 https://techteamproducts.com/product/5-pc-pry-bar-set/         https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CSBZ4ZM?ref=myi_title_dp IT HAS 4 BARS AND INCLUSES A ROLLING HEAD BAR. 
  • THE DRIFT PIN OR ALIGNMENT TOOL HAS A ROUND SHANK THAT TAPERS TO A POINT AND IS USED FOR ALIGNING BOLT, MATING, OR RIVET HOLES. SOME BARS INCLUDE A CHISEL FEATURE ON ONE END AND OTHERS, CALLED PIN WRENCHES, HAVE AN OPEN END WRENCH.
  • CLAW STYLE BARS HAVE SPECIALIZED ENDS. ONE IS AT A RIGHT ANGLE TO THE SHANK AND HAS A POINT OT EDGE AND IS USED FOR RIPPING. THE OTHER HAS A CHISEL END AND BOTH HAVE SLOTS FOR PULLING NAILS.
  • DIGGING BARS ARE USUALLY ABOUT 5 FEET LONG AND ARE VERY HEAVY. ONE END HAS A CHISEL TIP AND THE OTHER IS USUALLY ROUND FOR EASY GRIPPING. THEY ARE VERY HANDY for digging and loosening hard or compacted materials such as rock, soil, tree roots, concrete, or ice. Like other bars, they can also act as a lever — though this is not their main usage. They can also be used for making holes in the ground for fence posts. They are usually made from mild steel that can be bent but will not break.
  • The flat PRY BAR or “wonder” bar is ideal for prying, scraping, and pulling. They can remove nails, plywood, and flooring. Flat pry bars have beveled edges with nail slots at both ends and a curved rocker head for maximum prying leverage. Like other some pry bars, these are made from heat treated  steel to ensure maximum durability.
  • The crow bar, sometimes called a gooseneck bar, is excellent for nail-pulling, prying, and wrecking. The recurve design provides for extra prying leverage. One end features a nail pulling claw, while the other features a chisel end.
  • the ROLLING HEAD PRY BAR, sometimes called a “birds head” pry bar, has a hook end with a rounded head that acts as a fulcrum for applying maximum progressive leverage., these bars deliver the leverage needed to pry objects apart effectively and they have a round tapered end that can also be used to align holes or for positioning parts of a machine for an accurate assembly