Are there any alternatives to wrecking bars?

13th August 2021


Are there any alternatives to wrecking bars?


Shop for Wrecking Bars


			Prying and nail pulling
			Claw hammers Claw hammers, aside from claw bars, are the tools most used for pulling nails. Like the claw of most wrecking bars, the claw of a claw hammer features a nail slot into which the nail is positioned so that the claw can engage the head. The head of the hammer is then rocked back toward the face and the nail pulled free of the hole.

			For nail pulling, a claw hammer is nearly equally as suitable as a wrecking bar. The key difference is in the wrecking bar’s ability to be used in conjunction with a hammer, whereas the claw hammer lacks a heel for striking, and can of course only be struck with a hammer if you happen to own two!

			A claw hammer cannot be used for heavier duty prying such as lifting floorboards, as its claw is too thick to penetrate between boards, and the steel it is made from is quite brittle.Whereas wrecking bars are forged, most claw hammer heads are cast, meaning that they will snap rather than bend under high strain.

			Hammers of this kind weigh between 190-850g (6.7-30oz), depending on their size, and are usually slightly less expensive than wrecking bars due to their incorporation of a cheaper wooden handle, as opposed to the all-steel construction of a bar.Some more expensive claw hammers are constructed from one piece of steel, or have steel handles as opposed to wood.

			Claw hammers are a worthwhile alternative if you will only be performing light or occasional nail pulling, but should not be viewed as a substitute for a wrecking bar of good quality.

			For light levering and prying (floorboards, moulding, plastic hubcaps, etc): A chisel

			A screwdriver

			For nail pulling: A pair of pincers

			Aligning
			Drift punch (also called: drift pin, alignment punch, bull pin): An alternative to the aluminium wrecking bar, this tool is not actually a punch, but is designed for aligning holes for bolts and rivets.

			Drift punches are usually sheathed in ergonomic handles (handles which are comfortable, shock absorbent and easy to hold), but might also be manufactured in one piece. The working area of the tool comprises a hardened shank and head.

			This tool is used in the same way as an aluminium wrecking bar; the tip of the shank is inserted into the misaligned holes, and gentle force applied to lever them into alignment.

			Drift punches are usually sold in sets. A typical set of drift punches weighs 900g (1lb 15oz) and the drift punches included may feature shanks from 140-230mm (5.5-9in) long, and 2-10mm (0.07-0.4in) round.

			The main difference between the drift punch and wrecking bar is the range of sizes available. While drift punches come in a wide range of lengths and diameters, the aluminium wrecking bar is available in only one size (430mm). This means that you will have more choices of size if you decide to buy a drift punch; but even the largest drift punch is significantly shorter than the aluminium wrecking bar.

			The shorter length of a drift punch will give you more control over the tool, enabling you to align bolt and rivet holes with greater care and precision, and is suitable for use in much smaller spaces than the aluminium wrecking bar.

			Additionally, the set diameter of each shank in a set makes it easier to match the correct tool to the correct bolt hole. Again, this will enable you to align bolt and rivet holes with greater precision than the aluminium wrecking bar.

			If cost is a concern, it should be noted that a set of drift punches will be considerably more expensive to purchase than an aluminium wrecking bar.