Wonder Bar The Best Tool For Many Applications - Woodworking Talk

Jordy3738 · 02-19-2009, 07:55 AM

I have been removing several walls in my home preparing for a kitchen remodel. I am using a "Wonder Bar" a lot. This hand tool has proved to be a very valuable one through the years.

The first time I ever used one was when I had to raise an Island cabinet that was just a little out out of level. It had a granite counter on it and a built-in microwave installed as well.

Using the Woner Bar I was able to lift the cabinetry corners and place small shims under the toe base to get things perfectly level.

This tool has helped me in many ways.

mmtools · 02-19-2009, 09:05 AM

Have used this to loosen 80 year old double hung windows. Works great!!

GeorgeC · 02-19-2009, 12:45 PM

Now if someone would just tell me just what is a Wonder Bar??????????????? A picture would be nice.

G

Mort Tenon · 02-19-2009, 01:26 PM

I believe he's talking about one of these, although this is not the Wonder Bar brand...

Rob · 02-19-2009, 01:32 PM

Yup, something about the Stanley design seems to be the most useful and comfortable. They make a super wonderbar but the feel and design just don't feel right.
If I'm doing some "delicate" work, I'll sharpen the ends.

firehawkmph · 02-19-2009, 11:05 PM

Mort,
Looks like a Malco brand. I have a big wonder bar and also a little teeny one that is about 5-6 " long and less than an inch wide. The big one is for lifting and demo work, the little one comes in handy for removing delicate pieces that you want to save. I usually start with a painter's 5 in 1 tool and then slip the wonder bar in. Just one word of caution on the larger ones, if you are really trying to pry on something, watch how you pull on it. If that tool slips or comes out unexpectantly, you can bang yourself right in the head and do some serious damage. I usually use the tool sideways to lever difficult items. Much more controllable.
Mike Hawkins

Handyman · 02-19-2009, 11:50 PM

I have 4 or 5 my self. Its a great tool. After loosing the first one I bought, I figured out why they name it "The Wonder Bar". it because when you set it down you will wonder were you left it.

mdlbldrmatt135 · 02-20-2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Handyman

I figured out why they name it "The Wonder Bar". it because when you set it down you will wonder were you left it.

or wonder who grabbed it........ LOL

Handyman · 02-20-2009, 08:59 AM

I had almost forgotten about this, I posted this picture once before on here but I am going to do it again being we are talking about Wonder Bars. I drilled a hole in the middle of one of mine and use it to hold a board when I am replacing fascia by my self. Which is how I do it 99% of the time.

ironhead · 02-20-2009, 09:55 AM

Yeah have a few sizes of those my self. It's the best thing since the BFH was invented for demo work. Who ever invented it is right up there with the guy that invented Spandex in my book.

Mort Tenon · 02-20-2009, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Handyman

I have 4 or 5 my self. Its a great tool. After loosing the first one I bought, I figured out why they name it "The Wonder Bar". it because when you set it down you will wonder were you left it.

By that definition, every hand tool I own is a "Wonder" tool.

creative novice · 03-10-2009, 08:05 PM

When i was re-doing my kitchen this summer and just about done...new countertop down, nice shiny black acrylic sink installed...while working alone and placing my trim oak 1x6 and crown molding up (to re-vamp what was once the bulkhead and now to be a display shelf) and wanting to have my miters just perfect, i was having trouble holding the oak board in place to measure. it was warped slightly and wanted to spin on me. so i shot a brad into the one end to hold it in place. moved my chair over to the other end to measure......bumped the board, down went my wonderbar..... nooooooooooooooooooo.....through the dish drainer and a nice pearl sized chip out of the acrylic finish. ffffffffffffffff!
After much heartbreak i tried researching repair kits...just needed some gloss black. grabbed the phone book...i know, auto repair for fiberglass will work...made phone call to a repair shop.....No, you don't want to use these products, could melt your finish...
I made more calls, more googles...nothing. Wait til Monday...

I called the manufacturer (bought the sink at Lowes)

Blah blah blah..I was doing this... and then and it went thru.... and i need a repair kit.
We don't make a repair kit. Sorry.
But, we will send you a new one. Our products are guaranteed.
What? oh, you must of misunderstood. this was not a defective product, I was still remodeling, we just put the sink in about 5 days ago and it was my fault...
that's ok, we know things happen, your sink was only a few days old...We'll send you a new one. BUT
{Oh no, here comes the but...shipping will be astronomical, }
But when you get the new one, which will be on thursday by courier we want you to take it out of the box and
{here it comes, it is too good to be true....oh no...replace it right away....all those faucet fittings husband tightened so tight ...he's away and will be for awhile ...and the drain pipes he cursed and took forever to do, he's gonna be mad......and what about shipping costs....here it comes....}
But when you get the new one, which will be on thursday by courier we want you to take it out of the box and make sure it is the right one and then take the box and
{here it comes, oh shoot...}
then take the box and put your old one in it and take it
{here it comes...}
put your old one in it and throw it out,
What? did u say throw it out? you don't want it back?
Just throw it out and forget about it, oh yes, we do want
{here it comes...oh, no, a fortune for shipping....?}
we do want you to send us a copy of your receipt.
That's it? You don't want anything else? no shipping? no old sink? But it was my fault?
That's ok, you were honest about the cause, we don't want anybody having their mistakes facing them everyday from our product.
Really? I didn't think there were any manufacturers out there anymore who would do anything like this! Thank you! wow!
Just remember to throw out the old one and forget it! Have a good day and if you have any problems call us back....

Now, i really WONDER are there any other building suppliers out there like this left? julie

Rob · 03-10-2009, 08:30 PM

Yeah, that kind of service happens everyday to me.

If that would have been me, I would have punched 38 different numbers to finally get some character in Bangladesh who says his name is Harold.
Good to hear some good news for a change. This is part of what keeps a company in business.

johnep · 03-11-2009, 04:32 AM

This tool is a favourite with burglars. We tend to call it a 'jemmy' or crowbar.
johnep

creative novice · 03-11-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

Good to hear some good news for a change. This is part of what keeps a company in business.

.....i am told it doesn't matter what the business does, it is what the key punchers say they have done for the financial quarter. the quarterly report...... profit and loss for the quarter for the stock holders ....I wonder how businesses survived before the influx of all the 1980's and on new business practices. Surely they could not have grown on good common sense and keeping your customer happy and making repairs as needed.......

Enuf politics for me.....

THE COMPANY THAT MADE MY SINK AND WAS SOOO GOOD TO ME WAS DEKOR

Gene Howe · 03-11-2009, 06:20 PM

We have 3 sizes of those bars. That big 'un is a real bull when it comes to Demo. I love it.
Got a cat's paw, too. Guess it's ok for pulling nails. Too light for an anchor. Should just feed a tree with it.

wonderwoman · 03-12-2009, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene Howe

We have 3 sizes of those bars. That big 'un is a real bull when it comes to Demo. I love it.
Got a cat's paw, too. Guess it's ok for pulling nails. Too light for an anchor. Should just feed a tree with it.

I've always known the tools pictured, as pry bars, or 'that one'. We used a 4' yellow steel bar like that to force boards when nailing decking, that's what I thought a wonderbar was. What is a cats paw? haha, really, what is it?

Gene Howe · 03-13-2009, 06:10 PM

Well WW, mine is an 18" iron octagonal bar about 3/8 thick with an oval shaped "Paw" on each end. One is at a 90 to the bar and the other is just almost in the same plane as the bar. The "Paws" have slots in them to facilitate pulling nails. They are DEFINETLY single purpose tools. Not heavy enough for an anchor or weapon and not really great at pulling nails. Beats me why I haven't used it in a concrete pour or fed a tree with it ages ago. It's probably the most uselsess tool I own....and a 68 years of age, that's saying a lot!

wonderwoman · 03-13-2009, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene Howe

Well WW, mine is an 18" iron octagonal bar about 3/8 thick with an oval shaped "Paw" on each end. One is at a 90 to the bar and the other is just almost in the same plane as the bar. The "Paws" have slots in them to facilitate pulling nails. They are DEFINETLY single purpose tools. Not heavy enough for an anchor or weapon and not really great at pulling nails. Beats me why I haven't used it in a concrete pour or fed a tree with it ages ago. It's probably the most uselsess tool I own....and a 68 years of age, that's saying a lot!

Well I've known a few useless tools in my life

and might I add, you my friend, are NOT one of them. I suppose we were both asleep as to not mention I eat wonderbars for breakfast or when an energy boost is needed.

I'm sure the inventor didn't think it was useless when taking orders & countin de monet $$

I suppose you could cut the 'paws' off and mount them on key rings and call them "lucky cat paws"

Kick back, take orders and save de monet$$ to buy real tools. Appease the green crowd and sell 'em as 100% recycled. Just a thought.

wonderwoman · 03-13-2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creative novice

Now, i really WONDER are there any other building suppliers out there like this left? julie

Congratulations Julie!!! You are officially an honorary Wonder-woman!
Those kinda businesses are out there. Mainly the mom-n-pops; they are a rare breed for sure, but they still know the value of a handshake, and a payment on Tuesday for a hamburger today kinda mentality. The big stores seem to forget their customers are people and not just numbers. Good point, Thanks for reminding us good business practices still exist.

There are your Kudos 'DEKOR', other vendors take note!

Heather