12 point flare nut wrenches--any good?

[T45]

As the title suggests, does the usefulness of 12 point flares ever make sense in wrenches? For stuff over 5/8 or 14mm does the fastener tend to have enough meat on it to make 12 point reliable? It is seen alot in crow-foot-flares, but most wrenches are 6pt design.

What are your thoughts on something like this?

http://www.motorsport-tools.com/facom-42-metric-flare-nut-spanner-wrench-17x19mm.html

 

[ChevyEFI]

I will buy 6pt until I have a reason specifically to buy 12. It is just one of those things you don't wanna risk rounding.

 

[Tronyadorable]

I could see the use. On compressors and gas lines sometimes the 5 point wont get it. You have to break loose and look for pliers.
I bet the AC-refrig guys will chime in.

 

[Wakefield]

Only Bonney?

 

[bob15]

The only 12 points that I have used/own are Bonney's. I still go with a 6 pt first, but having the 12 point available to use in tight places is a blessing.

 

[shanny19]

My Proto pebble 12 pt flares work very well.

 

[rhandwor]

I use my 6 point 90% of the time but I have a set of 12point that I purchased from a pawn shop. They come in handy for some ford egr lines.

 

[mp23]

I have a couple 12 points and they work good.

 

[shampoop]

I really like the idea, need half of the swing arc to loosen the fastener as a 6 point.

 

[saryon7]

I have encountered a ton of lines that those would have helped on, but never encountered a job where I needed them yet. As long as they don't round the line nut, I would think they are great.

 

[dowmace]

On injection pumps a set of 12 points is almost necessary, the Gearwrench ratcheting flex head are also pretty awesome.

 

[dnschmidt]

Depends upon size. Anything larger than 5/8" 12 point all the way as you're going to need the swing. Smaller than that I like six point as the wrenches are short enough that normally you can get by with them. I sell a TOPTUL set where the wrenches below 14mm are six point where those above are 12. The larger sizes have plenty of contact area with a 12 point wrench. TOPTUL, and others, use a flank drive setup on their 12 point wrenches that avoid rounding.

When you discuss flare nut wrenches the resistance of the steel to spreading is really the key issue. I use a TOPTUL 22mm flare nut wrench on oxygen sensors and they typically are stuck pretty tight. No problems at all which to me indicates a high quality tool. Thick and fat is where it's at on a flare nut wrench.

 

[wild cowboy]

No.

12 pt flare is usually a very bad plan.

maybe OK on the really big sizes

 

[T45]

No.

12 pt flare is usually a very bad plan.

maybe OK on the really big sizes

What sizes would you start thinking its oK?

In other words, what do you mean by big/really big?

 

[theoldwizard1]

I would NEVER buy a 12 point flare nut wrench ! Many (most?) flare nuts are brass it it is way too easy to round them off !

 

[justme-]

I have to say no 12 pt also - bearing in mind I'm in the rust belt, 90% or the line tube is break lines and 99% of them are rusted. Brass nuts round too easy and steel nuts rust bad enough to round easy. Injection lines are big enough in my experience (diesels) that a standard wrench usually works - they aren't gorilla tight and should not be or they will stretch and leak.

 

[davesnothere]

I've never seen a 12 pt flare nut, so I think I'm good with just 6 pt ones.

 

[dnschmidt]

I agree on smaller sizes six point is the way to go. But with modern flank drive design 12pt is fine. Also, no matter how good a six point might be if you can't get it into where you need it, think around your master cylinder with all of the ABS plumbing, it's useless. Here's a picture of a modern 12pt flare nut wrench proving 1) They exist 2) showing the flank drive design I've never rounded over a nut with.

Just for fun I've included a six point.

 

[bonneyman]

I gotta say I've damaged more flare fittings with 6 point tools, only to have to get them off with 12 point Bonney tools.
Before the advent of enhanced broaching on 6 point wrenches, advanced broaching on 12 points like Bonney's Loc-Rite was the only was to avoid rounding fasteners.
The moveable pin design of Cam-Loc (patented 1951) flare wrenches were originally designed for brake systems so the needed tightness could be achieved without rounding the fasteners. That was then translated to forged steel in 1964 with Loc-Rite. Nowadays pretty much every maker has an enhanced broaching profile to put the turning force on the flats and away from the corners. But Bonney was the first big manufacturer to do so in 12 point (i.e. 10 point for flare wrenches).
I use the Bonney Loc-Rite wrenches on AC and hydraulic fittings, and they work great. Anything smaller than 3/8", and their advantage doesn't seem to help much. I get less damage from 6 point tools.

 

[bonneyman]

My Proto pebble 12 pt flares work very well.

I've seen the Proto tools. Look very nice.

I also have a set of older, pre Loc-Rite Bonney flare wrenches. But I've not used them on AC work yet.

 

[Jason280]

I have one or two of them, can't remember the make, but they are "pro" brands....ones a 19x21mm, and it is stout as hell. I've put some pretty serious torque on the 21mm side without issue...

 

[rockinacummins]

I've got a Plvmb stubby 12 point line wrench. It's 3/4 and it is hands down the greatest tool on the place when it comes time to bleed injector lines. Almost all the diesel injector lines on out trucks and tractors are 3/4. I would be lost without that thing and it would be useless if it was 6 point. Vp44 pumps have very limited space.