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Aluminum OPTs?

us Offline cody6268

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Aluminum OPTs?
on: May 04, 2022, 04:47:33 AM
I see a lot of pry tools made out of aluminum. All of mine are some form of stainless steel, tool steel, or titanium, and have withstood extreme abuse.


I am wondering, are these actually worth buying, or should I stick to my steel and Ti OPTs? 


no Offline Vidar

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Re: Aluminum OPTs?
Reply #1 on: May 05, 2022, 01:32:17 AM
I would be sceptical of aluminium pry bars for anything involving proper force. It just isn't as high strength. (Although the design can help with shaft stiffness the thin business end is still thin). For small force stuff like plastic lid opener and what not probably fine?

I got some steel pry bars which were less than optimal hardened, and they have been twisted and bent in amazing and utterly failing ways. Aluminium would be worse. A proper hardened steel one is still straight even after years of various abuse.
"Simple is hard"
"Hard is hard too"
(Partial disclosure: I design tools for a living).


us Offline Aloha

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Re: Aluminum OPTs?
Reply #2 on: May 05, 2022, 02:05:51 AM
 :iagree:  I have also had fails on steel that was not heat treated well.  My PW2 however is a beast. 
Esse Quam Videri


us Offline nate j

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Re: Aluminum OPTs?
Reply #3 on: May 05, 2022, 05:05:58 AM
I agree with the previous posters that steel is the best choice for pry tools.

There is a reason that dedicated, professional-grade tools are made of steel.  Even on an “aluminum” pipe wrench, the handle is aluminum but the jaws that actually contact the work piece are steel.


 

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