For an up coming job on the wifes car. Have an sae set by craftsman before they went to complete **** with their chicom garbage that have been reliable but obviously vant use them for this job. Can you guys recommend a reasonably priced set (around 50 bucks) that won't spread like a virgin on prom night?
Need a set of metric flare wrenches
- Thread starter monster1
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shoturtle
Well-known member
ebay, and look for a proto set. They go for about 35-40 bucks on avg.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Proto-J3700...ultDomain_0&hash=item2ec01c4649#ht_500wt_1217
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Proto-J3700...ultDomain_0&hash=item2ec01c4649#ht_500wt_1217
Wakefield
Well-known member
Wright has set #744 which has 5 wrenches covering 9,10,11,12,13,14,15 and 17 and 19 and 21 mm. but I think they cost more than $50. Wrench ends shaped something like Snap-ons but the wrenches are not as fancy or as shiny. (not full polish)
yes looks like $106.69 plus UPS shipping.
yes looks like $106.69 plus UPS shipping.
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vssjim
ALLIANCE MEMBER
An SK set would match your old US made Craftsman set. They still look the same as old SK sets aswell
OP probably has RP not polished, so SK wouldn't match but it's still a decent suggestion. They will cost more than $50 though. Perhaps a good idea is to find out what size you need and order one in that size in Wright or SK?
stonesfan68
Well-known member
Try http://www.cripedistributing.com/
Do a search for flare and you'll see several single wrenches available for about $4/each. I made-up a set of three metric USA KD Tools flare wrenches for about $18, including shipping.
Also, you can search for SKT386 on AdvanceAutoparts and use the coupon code "Big30" and have $30 taken off of the $84 price and have them delivered for free to the house.
Do a search for flare and you'll see several single wrenches available for about $4/each. I made-up a set of three metric USA KD Tools flare wrenches for about $18, including shipping.
Also, you can search for SKT386 on AdvanceAutoparts and use the coupon code "Big30" and have $30 taken off of the $84 price and have them delivered for free to the house.
SMKS
Well-known member
Those Proto line wrenches have sort of an outdated design that doesn't grab as many corners. Look closely at the set you linked to. I personally would avoid this design if possible.
I don't know if Proto has updated the design. Grainger still shows the style that grabs fewer corners.
But, grainger shows the fully polished Blackhawk wrenches use the newer design that most other companies use.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/BLACKHAWK-BY-PROTO-Flare-Nut-Wrench-4AY51?Pid=search
This thread also illustrates the difference in the design. HF uses the same design as Proto.
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=157673
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The set I have is the cm pro ful polished set. I had my wife pick them up for me a couple years ago. I just checked a few minutes ago and they are marked with a "k". Is this a rebranded sk set?
SMKS
Well-known member
Yes. Those were made by SK.
Those Proto line wrenches have sort of an outdated design that doesn't grab as many corners. Look closely at the set you linked to. I personally would avoid this design if possible.
This thread also illustrates the difference in the design. HF uses the same design as Proto.
I would honestly be interested in documented proof that one design is superior to the other?
IMO the difference between the two designs is functionally meaningless. I have both Proto and Snap-on flare nut wrenches and actually like the Proto better.
There are several S.A.E. technical reports that show the stress applied to a bolt head from various wrench designs. Best I remember, a flare nut wrench applies the maximum force near the beam (strongest part of the wrench) and the force applied to the bolt-head decreases around the perimeter of the wrench away from the beam (area of the maximum flex). The "old fashion" Proto design has five flats (four angles) symmetric to the beam where they do the most good. The "modern" SK, Blackhawk and Snap-on have only four flats (5 angles) symmetric to the beam, and the outer two edges apply less force than the interior. The later design does look nicer to many people.
Maybe, that is why the best wrench manufacturers from India like Deeps use the more "modern" design:
While many lesser companies like Stahlwille and Proto still use the "older" design:
I bought the Craftsman Raised Panel Set a few months ago and they are all USA made.
Here is the link to what I bought. 39.99 right now.
http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...-00944096000P?&prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=L3
Here is the link to what I bought. 39.99 right now.
http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...-00944096000P?&prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=L3
cbracer
Well-known member
To play devils advocate, the older design has 2 corners near the beam of the wrench, which would distribute the maximum forces over 2 points instead of one. Likely safer for the both this way compared to putting the highest force onto one point. If someone had time with a little CAD and FEA a computer simulation would be pretty simple with some contact areas and see what the flex and stress are between the two designs.
Super Sport
Well-known member
6 Pc SK set for around $60 +shipping using discount code CCABIN for $40 off $100.
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...-wrench-set-sk_22980154-p?searchTerm=sk+flare
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...-wrench-set-sk_22980154-p?searchTerm=sk+flare
RangerDaleXp
Well-known member
GearWrench
Those look good. What about Cost.....
RangerDaleXp
Well-known member
$60 is good for them. I would not pay the $100+ for them though. I have the SK set in SAE but could not get a good deal at the time for the Metric set. I ended up with Craftsman instead.....
Steevo
Well-known member
I have some of the HF ones, and they are FAT. They won't "spread like a virgin on prom night", because they would never get through the door.
I am looking for a good set of quality flare nut wrenches now, so I can give away my HF ones.
I am looking for a good set of quality flare nut wrenches now, so I can give away my HF ones.
That would be interesting. I was hoping to find a recent finite element analysis for flare nut wrench design. The major tool manufacturers must have these.