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Is the Craftsman Flare Nut Wrench Set Metric worth buying?

impactsocket

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Is the Craftsman Flare Nut Wrench Set Metric worth buying? Are these cheaply made wrenches that will round off a nut?

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http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00942013000P
 
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MJB24

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$20 with free shipping looks like a nice price. When I was shopping for a set I didn't want to the really high prices for the super high quality.

It seems like for flare nut wrenches there isn't a medium quality/price

I ended up with a Blackhawk set

I do know these should be better than using an open ended wrench
 

MJB24

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The issue is going to be this is probably a newer set sourced from overseas vs. The ones made domestically. I have seen and used the US made RP version of these and they were fine.
 

monomach

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The last I heard was that US-made raised panels are "meh...ok I guess," US-made full polish are garbage with ends that spread, and Chinese of both versions make attractive novelty paperweights.
 

ihateminimumwage

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I had the SAE set of those China full polish wrenches. No issues at all, used them near daily in a truck dealership on air and hydraulic lines. Never spread, no rounding off. Still sold them after I was able to find a SK replacement set.

As sad as it is to say, the China set was beefier and more solid than the older RP USA sets.
 

mattygee

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Gearwrench was/is offering the sae/metric combo for $50 or $60... Maybe someone can remember where it was being offered . They look identical to the Craftsman, and I've had good luck with them... Naturally keeping in mind any wrench of this type is going to have inherent limitations... In the rust belt, sometimes the easiest thing to do is to cut to the chase... saw the line off and use a 6 point socket on the fitting.

A quick search came up with this...

http://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.co...P185225.aspx?gclid=CIycssiSq78CFUIQ7AodARsAPg
 
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impactsocket

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Has any one used the new China made polished Craftsman Flare Nut Wrench Set (Metric) extensively? Do they hold up? Do they spread? Are the current polished ones being sold beefier than the old ones?

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steveo3002

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absolute trash - i purchased them and they rounded off every brake nut i used them on

sinse got me some used snap ons and no rounded off nuts
 

SMKS

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The last I heard was that US-made raised panels are "meh...ok I guess," US-made full polish are garbage with ends that spread, and Chinese of both versions make attractive novelty paperweights.

I definitely have not read consistent claims that the previous USA made polished ones were garbage. They were made by SK.

I have the RP versions and they're totally fine.
 

sberry

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I have some older ones from the 80's the RP and I am all for economics but this falls in just under the Cman ratchet. The new ones cant be worse, China or not.
 

jonathan75

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I started a thread yesterday asking about the 1/4 x 5/16 I need from that set. So I am glad to read some of these posts. Here is the thread that got buried if anyone knows if Craftsman ever made a Raised Panel 1/4 x 5/16 Flare Nut that the set I just got is missing.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=253688

You can still get the USA made Raised Panel. They are built very tough. I got the 10 piece set but they look like they are sold out now. For $29 you get metric and standard 9 piece set.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-9-pc-standard-and-metric-flare-nut/p-00944096000P?prdNo=2
 
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ClineWrench

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My 2 cents: skip the craftsman and get a set of Williams. I like the williams because the price is just a little more than the craftsman, and the finish is a satin semi smooth finish.

This is a huge benefit when it come to holding onto a line wrench that just got a bunch of ****** fluid or brake fluid on it. The smooth finish sure looks nice, but hard to hold onto at times.

For the record, I have both smooth and the satin semi smooth, and I will use the smooths if I know they wont be getting a bunch of fluid on them.
 

ClineWrench

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I have the USA made full polish set and they have been fine. This thread is the first time I heard they were garbage.

Coach

Coach - my experience is the the USA set is decent, its the new Chinese stuff thats garbage. I spread a brand new 9/16 craftsman flare nut wrench (Chinese version) the very first time it was ever used, and yep...it rounded the nut.

Bought my williams, never a problem since.
 

SMKS

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I don't think Williams offers USA made metric line wrenches. I think they only offer USA made fractional line wrenches. Just something to take into account if COO is a big concern.

The imported Williams line wrenches are probably the same as Blue Point wrenches and are likely made in Taiwan.
 

MN4x4

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I have the fully polished USA sets, and find them to be fine so far. I don't use them a lot since I'm just a home shop, but they sure look pretty!

:)
 
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HaroRider

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I have the Chinese polished set, they are ok for the money, but I wouldnt reccomend them professionally..
 

cheechi

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Most of the discussions on GJ about flare wrenches end with the conclusion that SO is the only brand to get and everything else is trash. So consider the audience. Even still, I would not get Chinese flare wrenches regardless of the brand. Taiwan maybe, but they would have to be fully vetted and universally loved.

My USA RP's are pretty good. I use them mostly for plumbing, not automotive and definitely not heavy equipment. I haven't seen flex nor spreading on any of them. And to be honest, I haven't quite perfected that plumber's 'not too tight' touch so they definitely get their workout.
 
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ClineWrench

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Cheechi has it right. The USA craftsman line wrenches are great (both raised panel and the polished...if you are lucky enough to find a set of polished USA).

The Williams I spoke of earlier are USA for the SAE set and oddly made in Taiwan for the metric. The Taiwanese ones aren't terrible (one of the very few non-USA tools I have). They do a much better job than the Chinese craftsman. I speak from experience here.

There's nothing quite like the sinking feeling you get after a cheap line wrench spreads and rounds off the brass flare nut fitting on a heavy duty transmission. Out comes the vice grips and another 4 tenths of time to replumb the new line. After you've done that a few times you quickly learn to just use a quality line wrench (Cornwell, snap-on, Mac, Matco, Williams or Porto).

That's 2 more of my cents for this subject.
 

toolaholic

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flarenuts002_zpsb8f5c231.jpg
[/URL][/IMG] Craftsman industrial recently purchased for $3.99. Would post a link but no longer availible. Purchased cause 5/8 used in plumbing alot. Proto 5/8x11/16 12pt part of a sae proto set. Cheap chinese 5/8x11/16 ACE 9.99 set bought on ebay. Note extra legth of proto.I know how you guys love pics!
 
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Murphy4570

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I have a set of the Craftsman Professional flarenut wrenches. Full polish, look to be S K made. They've worked well enough. Not made anymore though.
 

txbonds

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FYI - Epstein's has a bunch of US made Bonney flare wrenches listed.
 

SMKS

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I have a set of the Craftsman Professional flarenut wrenches. Full polish, look to be S K made. They've worked well enough. Not made anymore though.

They aren't sold under the Craftsman name, but SK still makes them.

The three metric sets are part # 373, 376 and 378.

I don't know if these are the best prices on them, but here are the three sets.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002STUJ2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sk-Hand-Too...1149113130&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr


http://www.ebay.com/itm/SK-PROFESSI...48035610?pt=US_Hand_Tools&hash=item4d1febe71a
 
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oldldh

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I have the Raised Panel USA made set...

And, so far, so good...
 

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powertrip

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The labeled "professional" set, was full polished, usa made by SK.
When craftsman dropped the professional line they became the "fully polished", made in china.
The ones that are pictured above are the china made set.
There have been different versions of the flare nut wrenches made.
Maybe this will clear up the confusion about the different generations of these wrenches
 
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impactsocket

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So you guys are saying the current China made Craftsman Flare Nut Wrench Set (Metric) that are on sale for $20 will round off fasteners?
 

ihateminimumwage

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So you guys are saying the current China made Craftsman Flare Nut Wrench Set (Metric) that are on sale for $20 will round off fasteners?

As stated above, I had zero issues with mine (SAE) in professional daily use (bought them almost 3 years ago, so don't know if they got worse since then). I didn't notice the China until I had shredded the packaging.

Recently sold them and replaced with a used set of SKs from eBay after they were spoken of so highly on here, and was able to basically break even and have an excellent USA set.
 

Tarheelgarage

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Those will spread quicker than a $10 ***** at the worst of times....:scared:

Only ones I use are snappy sets.

Wright and S K are also good for the price.
 

Fedwrench

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So you guys are saying the current China made Craftsman Flare Nut Wrench Set (Metric) that are on sale for $20 will round off fasteners?

Here's my take. Often we ask the impossible from our tools. Let's say we're working in the rust belt, on a 10 year old car. we're replacing brake lines and are having problems getting the old lines off. We didn't use any penetrant, just through the wrench on there, stood on it, and then proceeded to trace its family linage because, it slipped rounding the fitting. Then we have to get creative with heat and vise grips.

My point is even Snap on wrenches fail depending on the environment you're working in.

I never had a problem with the old raised panel Craftsman flare wrenches but, rust isn't an issue for me and spray the **** out of fittings with PB Blaster:dunno:

The older SK made Craftsman Professional full polished flare wrenches were ok. I didn't like that they are zero offset, a little on the bulky side, and shorter than the raised panel variety. SK does make 15 degree offset flare wrenches but, they weren't rebadged as Craftsman.

The current PRC made full polished Craftsman flare wrenches are nicely finished, have a decent length, and offset ends. I have the Gearwrench versions that I got on buy one get one special for like $35. I think for normal use, they would be fine.

There's a common perception here that unless a wrench says Snap on, the open end will spread if you just look at it hard. :lol:

I have snap on, cornwell, and Mac line wrenches along with Gearwrench. They all serve me well. Often technique and tool use are as important as the chosen tool.:beer:
 
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impactsocket

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If the new China made polished Craftsman Flare Nut Wrench Set (Metric) are good why are people on this board selling them off or store them away for other brands? Are they a loose fit on fasteners and as a result round off fasteners?

Is sears.com selling them cheap to get rid of an inferior product?
 
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toolaholic

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Here's my take. Often we ask the impossible from our tools. Let's say we're working in the rust belt, on a 10 year old car. we're replacing brake lines and are having problems getting the old lines off. We didn't use any penetrant, just through the wrench on there, stood on it, and then proceeded to trace its family linage because, it slipped rounding the fitting. Then we have to get creative with heat and vise grips.

My point is even Snap on wrenches fail depending on the environment you're working in.

I never had a problem with the old raised panel Craftsman flare wrenches but, rust isn't an issue for me and spray the **** out of fittings with PB Blaster:dunno:

The older SK made Craftsman Professional full polished flare wrenches were ok. I didn't like that they are zero offset, a little on the bulky side, and shorter than the raised panel variety. SK does make 15 degree offset flare wrenches but, they weren't rebadged as Craftsman.

The current PRC made full polished Craftsman flare wrenches are nicely finished, have a decent length, and offset ends. I have the Gearwrench versions that I got on buy one get one special for like $35. I think for normal use, they would be fine.

There's a common perception here that unless a wrench says Snap on, the open end will spread if you just look at it hard. :lol:

I have snap on, cornwell, and Mac line wrenches along with Gearwrench. They all serve me well. Often technique and tool use are as important as the chosen tool.:beer:
Kool. As long as use penetrating oil and some common sense my proto 12 pointers will be fine.
 

Jim C.

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I have an older set of USA made Craftsman RP metric and SAE flare nut wrenches. When I occasionally have to use them, they've been perfectly fine. I've never rounded over a nut using one.

Jim C.
 

toolaholic

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Thanks for the link but I'm looking for metric.
I bought a proto 12 point flarenut wrench set from zoro tool in metric and sae.. The pics I posted were sae but would be the same w/ metric showing the differences between some flarenut wrenches. The photo I toke show the protos are longer than the SK.
 
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