Are there an equal to snap on line wrenches?

[Ohmthis]

I’ve read here several times that snap on are the REAL deal on line wrenches and you can’t find better. I have raised panel craftsman and the Napa house brand (can’t remember the name) from maybe ten years ago. They both let me down this week on a brake line and rounded the nut. I had to end up cutting the line and trying a socket, then vise grips to get the fitting out of a junction block. So I had to replace two lines because F’d up the other trying to get the bad line out. Are Proto, SK, Williams, or another manufacturer as good? I will pay higher prices to keep from having the heartache and extra work, but curious if I don’t have too. I’ve looked at the used market and it seems 5 double end flare wrenches can be had for $130-$150. Thanks!

 

[Wamsutta]

As good as Snap-on? No. Close enough? Maybe, but I'd only trust Proto.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Not that we've found

 

[Mr_B]

generally if it that bad you going to grips then even the snapon not going be much benefit as the line/fitting too rusted want use again even if didn't round it out .
I found the toptul set pretty good, is one of those tools that snappy done right so worth the $ **** . can't say same for snappy air tools or elec equipment/tools though

 

[M6erfan]

Snapper line wrenches are one of the few tools of theirs I think are worth the price. That said, I don't use line wrenches very often, or live in the rust belt, and my SK's get the job done for me just fine.

 

[Chevy-SS]

Avidly watching this thread, as my line wrenches are also weak. Even a 'cheap' line wrench could work fine if it had more beef around the working ends. But they don't, hahaha.

 

[Batscat]

If there that frozen on heat them up first with a torch and they will come off.
I have craftsman’s set from Lowe’s and as long as I use heat on the frozen ones they work fine.
I live in Utah so rust is a daily problem.

 

[bob15]

Bonney, Mac, Proto and SK are all on par with Snap On in regards to tubing wrenches.

 

[sberry]

I ain't nuts about my Proto,, maybe they make different models though. But if something is rusty usually skip right over and go to straight jaw vise grips.

 

[lardy1]

My SK's have always worked for me in a non professional capacity. I don't put unrealistic expectations on them. I know about salt, rust and hacksaws.

 

[B_Bimmer]

I have the wright standard ones that are actually made by them (their metric were outsourced last I checked) and they have compared favorably with the snap on sets I have. Still the snap on's are so good I don't really see a point in going elsewhere to save a few bucks. Then though, I think the same about regular wrenches and would have to pretty hard up before I would torment myself with anything other than my snap on or proto's, so your expectations may vary.

 

[cullen]

Yes, skip line wrenches and go straight to good vise grips. Works every time and leaves only a small mark as long as it does not slip.

 

[Odd-job]

Subscribing to this thread.

Any feedback on the Williams WS-14? It’s the made in USA SAE only set. Figure the cheaper brother/sister tools to Snapon might be worth a shot, but don’t see much feedback out there.

Was also considering Proto for a metric set, but always have issues because I start looking at Dewalts offerings as a viable substitute for less than half the cost.

Already have a set of 12 point snapon metrics. They spread/slip though and kind of defeat the purpose of flare wrenches. Why did I buy them? Apparently beer and eBay don’t mix well.

 

[Ohmthis]

generally if it that bad you going to grips then even the snapon not going be much benefit as the line/fitting too rusted want use again even if didn't round it out .
I found the toptul set pretty good, is one of those tools that snappy done right so worth the $ **** . can't say same for snappy air tools or elec equipment/tools though

I think they would have worked if not for geeking them up with the other wrenches.

 

[Ohmthis]

If there that frozen on heat them up first with a torch and they will come off.
I have craftsman’s set from Lowe’s and as long as I use heat on the frozen ones they work fine.
I live in Utah so rust is a daily problem.

I was being impatient, I sprayed them with PB B’laster the second go around. I’m not a fan on putting a flame on items containing flammables.

 

[unslow1]

I rarely even try line wrenches on brakes lines for disassembly. Living in IL pretty much dictates vise-grips or cut it. Power steering or transmission lines will usually come apart with anything that isn't absolute junk.

 

[Ohmthis]

I have the wright standard ones that are actually made by them (their metric were outsourced last I checked) and they have compared favorably with the snap on sets I have. Still the snap on's are so good I don't really see a point in going elsewhere to save a few bucks. Then though, I think the same about regular wrenches and would have to pretty hard up before I would torment myself with anything other than my snap on or proto's, so your expectations may vary.

I have Wright grip 2.0 combo wrench’s at home and Proto wrenches at work. I like them both. I can understand your love for them. If the snap on are that good I’ll invest in them,

 

[jimmyin3D]

Just get the sizes you need, usually a full set isn’t necessary for a home wrencher. Although the 10/12mm size used still on eBay goes for about $20-30.

 

[bob15]

I have the wright standard ones that are actually made by them (their metric were outsourced last I checked) and they have compared favorably with the snap on sets I have.

Where did you see or hear that the Wright metric's were outsourced? Just curious.....

 

[Willie Makeit]

I wouldn't trade my SnapOn's for any other ... the secret I've found that works the best is trying to TIGHTEN the bleed screw just slightly before trying to loosen. Combine that with a bit of heat and it works like a champ.

 

[The Fall]

SK. I've got both SK and Snap-on and both are top-tier.

I have had Protos start to round a fuel line nut to the carb. Swapped over to an SK and it got it off without further rounding.

I would buy SK and not think twice about it.

 

[Nineeightyone]

With everyone who's saying Proto, I've gotta ask -- are those the same as the Blackhawk ones?

I'm a big fan of my Blackhawk line wrenches, one of the few tools I've been willing to spend extra for a brand name over a house brand, and they've been fantastic.

 

[drtyler]

Been a few years, but has been previously mentioned here that the metric Wright flare wrenches were made by Armstrong.

Now that Armstrong is not around, Wright may have taken this in house.

Where did you see or hear that the Wright metric's were outsourced? Just curious.....

 

[1foxracing]

Where did you see or hear that the Wright metric's were outsourced? Just curious.....

Ty Smith confirmed it with me when I toured the factory, if you look at the engravings they look nothing like the WrightGrip or other Wright wrenches. He wouldn't tell me who made them but my best guess would have been Armstrong back then, don't know about today.

For the record they work fine and I've never had one of these slip or fail to work.

 

[mtwaterguy]

I wouldn't trade my SnapOn's for any other ... the secret I've found that works the best is trying to TIGHTEN the bleed screw just slightly before trying to loosen. Combine that with a bit of head and it works like a champ.

Yeah, a bit of head normally helps in most situations.

 

[noid]

The hazet 612 line is what you want:

 

[bob15]

Ty Smith confirmed it with me when I toured the factory, if you look at the engravings they look nothing like the WrightGrip or other Wright wrenches. He wouldn't tell me who made them but my best guess would have been Armstrong back then, don't know about today.
For the record they work fine and I've never had one of these slip or fail to work.

Interesting. Thanks.

 

[jimmyin3D]

Something like these work very well, I had a KTC 10/12 flare wrench but they cost about the same as SO.


KTC Nepros:



Facom 43:






——————————————————————-
Check out my for sale listing in the classifieds:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=438994

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Between SK, gearwrench, and various cheap-o stuff - No, the snap-on line wrenches have no equal. I will say when the SO line wrench does slip, it will completely destroy the fastener. The SKs and others will usually spread a bit. Depends on what you want, sometimes vice-grips are the only option.

For DIY use, a single 10/12mm snap on wrench isn't that crazy expensive vs. the time and energy required to fix a ruined flare nut.

 

[Ohmthis]

Between SK, gearwrench, and various cheap-o stuff - No, the snap-on line wrenches have no equal. I will say when the SO line wrench does slip, it will completely destroy the fastener. The SKs and others will usually spread a bit. Depends on what you want, sometimes vice-grips are the only option.

For DIY use, a single 10/12mm snap on wrench isn't that crazy expensive vs. the time and energy required to fix a ruined flare nut.

I think this response has hit the nail on the head. The expense of time and having to redo two lines may have been saved with a better wrench. Thanks!

 

[sberry]

I work on old rusty stuck stuff especially with this. I think Snap may make the best wrench but I seem to make it without them. Tubing wrenches are like lots of others, kinda got to have them and sometimes they are just the right thing. But they are not something I use a lot. I could use 2 more 7 and 10R.
There may be better grips too but they are a bit like 9's and 440 Channeloks. After using the same models for decades and thousands of cycles can feel something is different if they are not exact.
I can make do with other stuff but am not as instinctual proffecient with them. Same for Stanley retractor utility knife.

 

[sberry]

I am not as sensitive about screwdrivers and combo wrenches as I use so many different ones and some different nut drivers. I can get by with most ratchets providing they work. Sockets and extensions am rather ambivalent about it.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I have SK. Never a problem. I used SK at work and in retirement.

 

[Dmoen]

I don’t even have line wrenches [emoji53]. If my open end flank drive snap on wrenches don’t break them loose, they get cut. I find myself with so many lines seized to the hut anyways that even when the nut is free the lines getting twisted anyways. Cut the line, grab socket and remove the nut. Grab the roll of NiCop, and some nuts and flaring tools we’re back in business.


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[setfocus]

If I'm replacing a leaking brake line, I just cut the line and tap a 6 point deep or mid-well socket on the end to remove the nut. Why fight with a wrench?

I've got the snappy's, never had issues with them striping nuts that aren't really rusty

 

[vssjim]

I have all brands and they all work about the same SO SK Proto KD Carlyle Blackhawk and us with them at work but the one that tops the field is the NEPROS KTC 10mm. The photo above shows why it is the best.

 

[chevy302dz]

Bonney, Mac, Proto and SK are all on par with Snap On in regards to tubing wrenches.

I can't speak to Mac or Proto but SK is not on par with Snap On as far as line wrenches go. I have both, early 2k production give or take and the Snap On have succeeded where the SK have failed. In my limited experience with Bonney line wrenches I have never had one fail to do the job.

 

[nelstomlinson]

I have SK, Snap On and Proto line wrenches, and pretty happy with them all.

 

[The Fall]

SK is the equivalent to Snap-on. That's my experience. We work on pre-'75 domestics. OLD stuff, some of it from Corpus meaning it's crusty. Snap-on or SK only for me. I have both in complete sets. SKs don't spread. If that doesn't work, move to vise grips. Then move to breaking out the double flaring kit and making new lines.

With the price difference, I'd go SK. I got my Snap-on's with the student discount. This is a place where SK is right there with Snap-on at a fraction of the price.

Get yourself those Knipex mini-bolt cutters too.

 

[Fedwrench]

No. For line wrenches, there is a difference between Snap on and all other brands. Unfortunately, it's better just to take to pain and pony up the cash for Snap on line wrenches.