Crowfoot flare nut vs. traditional flare nut (wrenches)

[AJHD]

Which is more useful and why? Which do you own, use and/or recommend and why?
They both have pro's and con's, if you could have/buy only one set, which would you pick and why?

Disclaimer: This is NOT a brand question, Snap On is only being used as an example for this thread.
Snap On being the best (or not) has been discussed to death elsewhere, this is NOT another such thread...

Examples;

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

 

[tamaraw]

They do similar jobs but they don't replace each other, it really depends upon the application. A few things that come to mind right away:

Crowfoot wrenches can take an extension to get deep down into recesses, can be mounted on a lever at a 90 degree offset, can use an articulated handle, and can be used with a torque wrench. They also take up less space as a kit.

Regular wrenches are more solid in the hand with no play between connections, they fit into narrow areas where there is limited height, and frequently the head of a dedicated wrench may be less wide. You can also carry two sizes on the same wrench instead of swapping out parts.

 

[Sumboodie]

A job for each.

This is like saying which is better, a hammer or screwdriver?
I.have both up to 2" for hydraulic lines.

 

[tamaraw]

For example, I bought this articulating set for personal use on my car because I thought they looked cool but I don't think I have ever used them.

Tell us more about where you would use these tools and people can probably give better recommendations.

 

[mailpup]

If I only could pick one, I would probably go with the regular flare nut wrenches. That said, I think you would be limited in what you could successfully work on. I'm a dedicated DIYer and I have both types. There are times where a flare nut crowfoot was the only practical tool that would work. For example, I've done my fair share of replacing rack and pinion steering assemblies of various makes and sometimes a crowfoot comes in mighty handy. Both types also come in 12 point configurations and I have those too. In cramped quarters with limited turn space they can make life easier. Yes, I know 6 point is best but 12 point gives me options.

I also have one more type of flare nut wrench that you didn't mention which is a flare nut socket.
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Fla...Drive-Flare-Nut-Socket-Set-(10-19-mm)/210FRXM
I happen to have this particular set. It's not absolutely necessary but I was glad to have them on certain jobs.

 

[Yankeefarmer]

I have both, and I don’t think you can say one is more useful than the other. If you are using a crowfoot, it’s most likely because access is tight. Standard crowfoots tend to be wide, and may not be able to go on. Flare nut ones are smaller on the outside, but have to go on from the end of the fastener rather than the side.

 

[johninct]

Both.

 

[Oldsnapper]

As above, both depending on application.

 

[cvairwerks]

Both have their places. We had a hydraulic line to replace and didn't want to remove a couple of obstructions, due the huge amount of regression testing that would have been required. Our solution was a crowsfoot, with a "z" extension, a pair of normal extensions, another "z", with another pair of extensions running back almost to the fitting we needed to torque. It took 3 of us to hold it all together to make the torque ( 640 lb/in), but saved us about 20 manhours of regression test time.

For those that don't recognize what "z" extension is, it's a flat bar with a socket drive ****** on one end and pierced to accept a drive ****** on the other end. Ours are made inhouse and a bit longer than this one:

OEMTools 24208 OEM Automotive Tools Torque Wrench Adapters | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - OEM Automotive Tools Torque Wrench Adapters with qualifying orders of $99. Shop Torque Wrench Adapters at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

 

[AJHD]

Some good points made and things to consider. I'll be looking into buying both.

 

[robert6715]

A lot of guys don't have or seldom use breaker bars anymore. Mine don't get used often.

A flare nut crows foot with a breaker bar attached is as close to a line wrench [flare nut] that you can get.

So in your dystopian world where I had to choose just one or the other, I would choose the crow's foot, as long as I am allowed to have my breaker bars.

I can't stand a crow's foot directly attached to a ratchet. Most of the time the ratchet head gets in the way of whatever line I am trying to remove. Use an extension & the ratchet is fine, but that is never my first resort where a line wrench will fit.

 

[JradM]

For example, I bought this articulating set for personal use on my car because I thought they looked cool but I don't think I have ever used them.

Tell us more about where you would use these tools and people can probably give better recommendations.

Those look awesome. What set is that?

 

[robert6715]

For example, I bought this articulating set for personal use on my car because I thought they looked cool but I don't think I have ever used them.

Tell us more about where you would use these tools and people can probably give better recommendations.

Those would work well as line wrenches. Stick a 6" extension in there & use just the extension as the handle. Basically in the same position they are sitting in the tray. I hope that makes sense.

 

[tamaraw]

Those look awesome. What set is that?

OEMTools 25518. It's been discontinued but I think it has also cropped up under a few other names.
Laser tools 7165 and Dynamic D010028 (missing the 8 and 9mm) look similar.

 

[tamaraw]

Those would work well as line wrenches. Stick a 6" extension in there & use just the extension as the handle. Basically in the same position they are sitting in the tray. I hope that makes sense.

That was the idea, I just don't really work with hydraulics.

 

[robert6715]

That was the idea, I just don't really work with hydraulics.

Those are pretty slick.

I bet if SnapOn or similar made those & marketed them correctly, they would sell like hot cakes. As a guy who does heavy equipment often, I would buy them. Especially if that pin is up to the task.

They are pretty much exactly my above suggestion of a crow's foot with a breaker bar & No need for the 3/8" breaker bar that nobody has, or they sold/threw away. Everybody has extensions.

I dare say that with those, my line wrenches may get very little use.

 

[Xcursion88]

ALL THREE...
You didn't have three as an option you say...

Allow me a moment to explain.
You need both you listed plus...
Angled wrenches like these

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

Examples why needed...
Super Duty power steering line.
I don't recall the year (2005 perhaps...)
The one power steering line the only way to remove it on the truck is with a crow foot. Now if you remove the mounting fasteners and reposition but as it sits in the truck you need a crow foot 18mm.

Chevy tahoe/silverado's / GMC Yukon/Sierra's
are especially bad for needing all three if working with the abs units. Say you need to replace the abs unit but the lines are fine.
You'll use all three.
Matter of fact on almost all ABS units when removing lines you're going to use all three and often times the angled wrenches will be used the most.
If you're in the rust belt I'd highly recommend the flank drive plus if buying angled wrenches.

Maybe you're only replacing one bad line at the abs unit. Again on a tahoe/silverado platform it's damn near impossible to cut the inner lines as 5 other lines are conveniently in the way to get a cutting tool with enough power to cut steel OEM lines in there to do the old (cut line near fitting and use six point socket to remove trick)
Again this is where the angled wrenches are priceless. Flare wrench might not work pending how the fastener is sitting and the other lines limit clearance.
The angled wrench if it won't work one way flip it over and it will work the other way for sure.

My personal preference on brands...
Crow foot flare wrench set...Snap-on

Flare nut line wrenches...MAC (USA made) fit the best in my hand

Angled wrench...Snap-on...being in the rust belt the flank drive plus is a huge asset

Line wrenches...
MAC and SK have the best Chrome IMO of all brands
Gear Wrench are definitely the biggest flare wrenches I've seen. They're massive which can be an issue at times.

Goodluck

 

[Alfisti]

I have both, I recently bought some Gearwrench flex head flare wrenches and they are great, use them more than my crow foot at the moment, but there's always the job where nothing will beat a crow foot.