Cheap Crows feet?

[bimmer630]

I rarely run into the need for crows feet, but sometimes I need them... I have both metric and standard flare nut style SK crowsfeet, but need the regular open end style... and dont wanna pay a lot for a muffler.

What do you guys suggest? I see a nice USA made SAE Cman set on ebay for cheap right now.. id like to spend about 50 bucks for each set, it would be nice to find a used set of MAC or SO, even cornwell, bonney, proto, who cares, I just want them to be quality.
Whats the deal with the gearwrench ones that are out now?

 

[BirdMobile]

Cheap Crowsfeet?
I don't think the two words belong in the same sentence.

P.S. I bought a few select sizes from Carlyle, I'm quite happy with them so far... alrhough the 10mm is the only one I've put to any real use.

 

[48RON54]

I can't help you there but since this is the first time I've really seen the topic come up....

I have many tools, but zero crows feet. Where is an application where I might need these? My work (hobby) at home is mostly automotive, small engine and minor home repair.

 

[Askme42]

Cheap Crowsfeet?
I don't think the two words belong in the same sentence.

P.S. I bought a few select sizes from Carlyle, I'm quite happy with them so far... alrhough the 10mm is the only one I've put to any real use.

Agree. Those and flare nut wrenches. When you need the tool you don't want it to be a cheap tool.

 

[dutchgray]

Cheap Crowsfeet?
I don't think the two words belong in the same sentence.

P.S. I bought a few select sizes from Carlyle, I'm quite happy with them so far... alrhough the 10mm is the only one I've put to any real use.

No they are always expensive for what they are, but I guess if you're after good value look for used or old stock or a set missing one or two sizes on ebay and then pick those up later.

 

[86k10]

I bought a Craftsman Industrial set from Summit, 21 piece in both metric and standard for $114. It was the best bang for the buck for US made, next was Gearwrench on the import side for both sets for $77.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Cheap Crowsfeet?
I don't think the two words belong in the same sentence.

P.S. I bought a few select sizes from Carlyle, I'm quite happy with them so far... alrhough the 10mm is the only one I've put to any real use.

Sure they do.

And since you f*&^ing shop/buy at NAPA buying Carlyse BirdMobile, you might have suggestd NAPA's EverCraft taiwan made crowfoot set.

The EverCraft line is lifeime warranty, comes in no-skip sets and are very capable.
And available at your local NAPA or they will order them for you.
If on sale, they are an even better deal.

Again, if only using once or twice a month, it's a good deal.

And yes, I own and use them.

 

[BirdMobile]

I can't help you there but since this is the first time I've really seen the topic come up....

I have many tools, but zero crows feet. Where is an application where I might need these? My work (hobby) at home is mostly automotive, small engine and minor home repair.

Anywhere there is a nut "sandwiched" between 2 plates, with insufficient side room to get a wrench into. I have a carburator adapter plate on my Subaru like that... you have to either disassemble the whole stack to pull it from the intake, or use a crowsfoot and loosen the bottom 2 bolts. On some model EJ22 (Legacy) Subaru engines, there are motor to bell housing bolts that you need a funky double-universal ratchet setup to get to, but a crows foot makes it super easy.

 

[3baygarage]

Hang tight until you see some cheap Craftsman sets on Ebay. They can be had for way less than 50 bucks a set used. Most probably weren't used anyway. Unless you need them ASAP.

 

[BirdMobile]

Sure they do.

And since you f*&^ing shop/buy at NAPA buying Carlyse BirdMobile, you might have suggestd NAPA's EverCraft taiwan made crowfoot set.

The EverCraft line is lifeime warranty, comes in no-skip sets and are very capable.
And available at your local NAPA or they will order them for you.
If on sale, they are an even better deal.

Again, if only using once or twice a month, it's a good deal.

And yes, I own and use them.

Dude...
All I was saying is that you shouldn't skimp and buy cheap on a crowsfoot... it's one of those tools that if you need it, it's usually a dire sitch and you want to know the tool is up to the task.

Thanks for the info on the Evercraft - I forgot about that option... my local NAPA phased out all of their Evercraft inventory when the Carlyle stuff showed up.

 

[cheechi]

I read the post not as saying cheap (HF, china CM) but a low price for a good set;

USA made SAE Cman ... used set of MAC or SO, even cornwell, bonney, proto, who cares, I just want them to be quality.
Whats the deal with the gearwrench ones that are out now?

A lot of people have praise for the GW serpentine belt set which you have to assume the crow's feet in it are the same quality as whatever other GW crow's feet you'd find. Not an exact answer but there's that.

 

[48RON54]

Anywhere there is a nut "sandwiched" between 2 plates, with insufficient side room to get a wrench into. I have a carburator adapter plate on my Subaru like that... you have to either disassemble the whole stack to pull it from the intake, or use a crowsfoot and loosen the bottom 2 bolts. On some model EJ22 (Legacy) Subaru engines, there are motor to bell housing bolts that you need a funky double-universal ratchet setup to get to, but a crows foot makes it super easy.

Thanks for the info, after some research i found this

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=101703&page=3

And quickly realized there have been many times I've probably horribly mangled something trying to get it out when a crows foot would have done the job and saved me many hours of sweat and cursing. thanks.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

What do you guys suggest? I see a nice USA made SAE Cman set on ebay for cheap right now.. id like to spend about 50 bucks for each set, it would be nice to find a used set of MAC or SO, even cornwell, bonney, proto, who cares, I just want them to be quality.
Whats the deal with the gearwrench ones that are out now?

I pieced together a nice USA set through Cripe Distributing and HJE's Closeout section. It's a mix of 3/8" drive KD/Allen, Bonney, Granco, and one Snap-On from eBay. Have had zero issues, and plenty of use out of them (wish I'd had them at home yesterday when I swapped out my glow plugs).

Actually, looking now at HJE's Crowfoot section, looks like there are some nice 3/8" Bonney sets for $40-50. Bonney definitely makes the best crowfoots I've used, nicer than the couple of Snap-On pieces I have.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Mine are mostly pieced together from Cripe Distributing and ebay; primarily Allen and KD USA. I dont use them often, so I didn't want to spend big bucks.

 

[rsanter]

Don't get cheap ones. The bottom of the line ones that will still work for you are the older used craftsman made in the USA models

Bob

 

[panknuckshovel]

Harbor freight, cheap everything. $7.50 a set after coupon

 

[Dirty Diesels]

I can't help you there but since this is the first time I've really seen the topic come up....

I have many tools, but zero crows feet. Where is an application where I might need these? My work (hobby) at home is mostly automotive, small engine and minor home repair.

Mainly brake pipes on abs units & awkward to reach common rail diesel fuel lines.

 

[bimmer630]

I pieced together a nice USA set through Cripe Distributing and HJE's Closeout section. It's a mix of 3/8" drive KD/Allen, Bonney, Granco, and one Snap-On from eBay. Have had zero issues, and plenty of use out of them (wish I'd had them at home yesterday when I swapped out my glow plugs).

Actually, looking now at HJE's Crowfoot section, looks like there are some nice 3/8" Bonney sets for $40-50. Bonney definitely makes the best crowfoots I've used, nicer than the couple of Snap-On pieces I have.

thanks for the tip on the Epstein site. forgot about them, and havent checked them out in a few years.
I found a bonney sae set missing the 7/16, and it was 52.00. pulled the trigger on that and then found a bonney 7/16 for 5 bucks on ebay... nice!

now to find a metric set. And thanks for all the pointers with the evercraft and harbor freight ones, guys, but i just cant do it.. im too into nice tools to buy that stuff

 

[bcradio]

I have Sunex and like them pretty well

 

[90zcar]

I would like a set but I'm waiting to run into a situation where I actually "need" then so I have an excuse to buy them


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[zach540]

I have the Tekton set from Amazon, both have done me well.

Metric

SAE

Zach

 

[aspireguy95]

Ive got an extra set of sae masterforce crows feet if ur interested in them. Their made in usa and brand new

 

[Agentwho]

I find crows feet to be useful as a super stubby wrench to use on hydraulic lines after they have been busted loose. For what it is worth I have the craftsman sets and the Sunex xl set. They may not be snappy quality but they server their purpose fine for me.

 

[crewchief888]

I can't help you there but since this is the first time I've really seen the topic come up....

I have many tools, but zero crows feet. Where is an application where I might need these? My work (hobby) at home is mostly automotive, small engine and minor home repair.

i rarely use any of the flarenut type i have, on occasion i have to dig out a 17mm for HP fuel lines. i have a 17mm flare nut crowsfoot, deep line socket and flare nut wrench.

i have open ends from 7/8" to 1 1/4" that get used quite a bit on hyd hose connections.

they save me from having to move other hoses, tubelines, brackets, and assorted **** out of the way.
time is money

 

[BFHtime]

I picked up one size from low'e's, 14mm open end. I needed this for an exhaust manifold that needed to get done that night. The tool worked fine, I have used it twice for the same manifold.

 

[ClintNZ]

A cheap crow's foot is the end cut off a wrench then welded on to an old socket isn't it?

One place I've needed them for normal auto maintenance is replacing steering rack ends on front wheel drive cars.

The flare nut type ones are useless on some hydraulic fittings as if the hex on the swaged part is the same size as, but doesn't line up with, the hex on the nut part you can't slide the wrench onto the nut.

Cheers
Clint

 

[bart1]

I bought a set of USA Blackhwaks cheap off eBay. Seem fine.

 

[PureLeaf]

I have the Tekton metric set. No complaints

 

[Farmall450]

I read the post not as saying cheap (HF, china CM) but a low price for a good set;

A lot of people have praise for the GW serpentine belt set which you have to assume the crow's feet in it are the same quality as whatever other GW crow's feet you'd find. Not an exact answer but there's that.

I was just thinking this...they're good quality IMO, never let me down. Have the NAPA/Gearwrench serpentine belt set...

+1 on evercraft, their stuff is pretty decent in my use. That's what the school gets and everything takes a major beating.

 

[bimmer630]

I ended up getting the bonney crows from Epstein.

Now if anyone has metric ones available for sale, let me know

 

[Zeke]

I needed a crow's foot yesterday so I hopped over to HF to get SAE and metric for 10 bux a set. Never needed them in 60 years of wrenching so I didn't need to pay truck prices. Now, I don't own any HF mechanic's tools except a 1/2" torque wrench that has done well by me. I don't build engines.

Now I know why the HF brand is called Pittsburgh. The finish is full of pits. Got the job done but I'm gonna hide these wrenches in the back of the drawer, they are embarrassing.