Flare Wrench - singles or sets

[mobiledynamics]

I only really use 11mm, 14mm on my our 2 DD and the garage queen if I recall.

Everyone seems to swear to don't cheap out, and go SO with this route.

I can't fathom using anything else even if I got the *set*.

I'm thinking to buy 2 single 11 and a 14.

Is there any compelling reason I should consider the *set*.

 

[neophyte]

The usual reason is that somewhere down the line you'll find you also need the 12mm, or the 15mm, or the 17mm or some other size you didn't buy. This both inconveniences you and means you may have to buy the other wrenches individually. Since individual wrenches generally cost more than if purchased in sets you may wind up eventually spending more money than if you had purchased the set in the first place.

 

[dirtydogintex]

SO by far gets the most publicity 'round here but there's a few others worth considering:

Williams has a double ended flare wrench which are real hefty similar to SO's but not that many places sell them

SK has similar but w/an offset angle of 15deg (iirc) for hand clearance

Proto/Blackhawk also has similar but very few fanboys *L*

Nice thing is the above are available in sets at a cost less than two new SO wrenches, give or take.
I've found as soon as I buy and use individual wrenches, something comes up to where I wished I'd bought a set instead.

 

[Texican]

If at all possible buy a set for the inevitable reason that sooner or later you'll need it. Check eBay often, I found a really nice 5 pc set of SK flares for $25 and a 5 pc Proto metric for $30. Have used both sets and haven't experienced any problems whatsoever.

 

[rsanter]

Get a USA cman set to have. Used is fine if in good shape
Then get the 2 mostly used ones from snap on that are combo of flair and thick open end
You may need 2 of the same size at one point

Bob

 

[mobiledynamics]

You may need 2 of the same size at one point

Bob

Yeap, def, have used two 11's.

 

[Hawk321]

Sure...there are many 17mm and 19mm sensors out there who need a flare nut wrench. I advise you to buy flex head flare nut wrenches...comes with a flank drive system, cheaper as a snap on set and very handy if access is restricted.

 

[dsimatt]

I have metric and standard matco sets that one i got used and the other when they were on sale, didn't need all of them but you never know so got the sets.

Don't cheap out and buy something like craftsman ones because i did at first and all they did was spread and strip the fittings.

 

[NHBandit]

I can see if you're only working on your own vehicles buying them as you need them. Doing it for a living is a different story and most of us have 2 complete sets of SAE & metric at the very least. 10mm is common, 7/8" is usefull on oxygen sensors where there is no room for a socket, etc. What are your daily drivers you refer to ? I suspect the fittings on the 11mm you're using is really 7/16 and the 14mm may be 9/16. Do you own American or imported cars ? What years ?

 

[mobiledynamics]

I own generally Imports. Current DD in the fleet E53 X5 and E92.

 

[Thunderbisciut]

I bought a 3 piece Sk metric set a long time ago, and recently added 2 more to it. The only one I'm missing, 16 x 18, of course is the one my brother needed the other day. Luckily we didn't have an issue just using an open ended wrench.

You may only need those 2 sizes now, but what if you need to change a brake line, or power steering line, or whatever in the future? Considering you own a pair of BMWs I'm sure you could spring for a whole set. I know when I had my old E30 I needed more than 2 sizes. If you don't want to spend a lot, check Ebay. I saw a 5 piece almost new Snap On set go for $60 the other day, and looking around there were many other top brands for only a bit more.

 

[RCStocker]

I have SK and Snap-on flair nut wrenches. I have them in SAE and Metric.
I also have the 15 degree and streight wrenches. I have the old Proto ratchet sockets that take a breaker bar or ratchet. They fit in a holder and ratchet around. They were made under other names before Proto bought them. They are used in the aircraft insustry. The are not cheap and hard to find. They are fantastic. I have 3 sets. Each set is a different size. I am not at home or I would take a photo.

I really don't think it makes much difference what bran you buy. I think the HF ones would do the job if you don't use them that often. HF are so cheap and I use them on my sail boat. If the tools go over the side I have not lost anyting. They work well and have never failed.

 

[BFHtime]

Could someone post a pic of a flex head flare wrench please. Who makes them?

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Is there any compelling reason I should consider the *set*.

Wait a second, let me get this straight......You are asking a bunch of tool hoarding whores, if you should only buy what you actually will need????

Geez, most of would agree, you need every tool that was ever invented...Some of us have stone wheels laying around for "Just in case."

This is kind of like asking Hugh Hefner if you should only have one girlfriend or wife....

 

[cburnscrx]

Wait a second, let me get this straight......You are asking abound of tool hoarding whores, if you should only buy what you actually will need????

Geez, most of would agree, you need every tool that was ever invented...Some of us have stone wheels laying around for "Just in case."

This is kind of like asking Hugh Hefner if you should only have one girlfriend or wife....

Funny...and acurate.

 

[dirtydogintex]

Could someone post a pic of a flex head flare wrench please. Who makes them?

Here are a couple from ebay.
There are more mfg's/styles but these'll give ya the basic idea.

Ahh!! Among the hustle and the bustle, don't forget flare nut crowsfoot wrenches in either 6 or 12 point - sometimes they'll nail a coupla birds at the same time....

KD Tools/GearWrench Flex Flare Nut Wrench

EZ Red 75deg Offset Flex Flare Nut Wrench

 

[jeremy v]

Flare nut wrenches are used enough when working on cars that I just bought sets. I know when I was in the market for flare nut wrenches (about a year ago) it seemed like most brands charged about the same for a set of 6 as for 3 individually purchased wrenches.

I have the 10pc SAE and Metric Craftsman raised panel set and a complete 12pc SAE and Metric Gearwrench polished set as well. I purchased the Gearwrench ones because the flare hex is slightly offset to the side compared to the straight on Craftsman wrenches which allows for more flexibility and has come in handy in some tight home plumbing situations. I have been happy with them, but corrosion on fittings is not really an issue in Seattle, so your results may vary.

I will probably eventually get flare nut crowfoot sets as well, because I can also see value in having them, especially for home plumbing.

Specialty sockets are the only thing that I only buy when needed, because it is easy to look up a specific car or task and know what special sockets might be needed in advance and have it ready, but it is often harder to find info on special wrenches that are needed or that could save a lot of time by having before you start a certain job.

I am saying this as a man that works on a little bit of everything pretty regularly for myself and others, and I am also not a tool hoarder that just wants to look at shiny wrench sets in a tool drawer either, haha. If it doesn't serve a real purpose I don't want it taking up space in the tool chest.

 

[pipsters]

If you own a house an SAE set is nice to have, although to be honest practically anything that is done with a flare nut can be done with a regular open ended wrench.

You might want to consider flarenut crows feet, I used one to uninstall my kitchen facet. The Alternative would have been to replace the countertop.

 

[jeremy v]

If you own a house an SAE set is nice to have, although to be honest practically anything that is done with a flare nut can be done with a regular open ended wrench.

You might want to consider flarenut crows feet, I used one to uninstall my kitchen facet. The Alternative would have been to replace the countertop.

Your reason for the flare nut crowfoot wrenches is exactly why I eventually want to get some myself. A basin wrench can only do so much. I have been glad I had flare nut wrenches a few times though where an open end wrench was just not enough without dinging up or rounding out a fitting. A nylon tubing nut on a washing machine is the only one that comes to mind immediately, but I know there were a few times they really helped. One other time it was an aluminum tubing fitting, but I can't remember what I was fixing. There has also been one time where an open end wrench was too fat to fit, but the flare nut wrench did.

 

[Carl B]

For Brake and Fuel lines - Snap-On. Period
When no flair nut wrench will do - Irwin/ViseGrip 7LW Locking Wrench. This is the best in both 7" and 4" sizes. I use these to start with now.. no more rounded flair nuts!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004SBBD/?tag=atomicindus08-20

FWIW,
Carl B.

 

[unslow1]

For Brake and Fuel lines - Snap-On. Period
When no flair nut wrench will do - Irwin/ViseGrip 7LW Locking Wrench. This is the best in both 7" and 4" sizes. I use these to start with now.. no more rounded flair nuts!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004SBBD/?tag=atomicindus08-20

FWIW,
Carl B.

I was looking at a pair of those the other day. I didn't pick them up because I didn't know what I would use them on. They look like they would be good for brake/fuel lines.