The 1/2" shank is tiny in diameter and made of weak steel. It tires quickly and breaks in on you. Other bars have thicker shanks but I haven't used them and don't know if they do are as useless as a 1/2" bar. Disappointing product due to poor construction (tiny shank diameter) and workmanship (low grade steel). And OBTW, tightening a small mandrel into a grinding cylinder is no fun due to poor design.