Craftsman Pro Flare nut wrenches?

cgv69 · Mar 8, 2012

Hey guys,

I currently have some CMan raised panel style flair nut wrenches but I've never cared for them much. My Combos are all CMan Pros ("k" marked) and I would like to get a complete set of US made Cman Pro series flair nut wrenches (preferably "k" marked) but my local Sears and Ace's only have the CHICOM version. Am I SOL except for maybe Flea-Bay? I assume ordering from Sears online would almost guarantee me the CHICOM version unless I got really lucky (which I never do)?

If I am SOL, what's my best bet for a quality American made fully polished chrome set of flair nut wrenches that won't break the bank (or break in general)? I don't use flair nut wrenches enough to justify a set of SO's but I still want a good quality, good feeling wrench and I choose to avoid CHICOM made products as much as possible.

Thanks!

thesilverone · Mar 8, 2012

As far as Cman Pro flare nut wrenches...you are SOL. I would buy used Snap On.

Trucky · Mar 8, 2012

Great quality, decent price. And when I say decent, I mean your eyes won't entirely pop out of your head like when you look at something from Snap-On.

http://www.skhandtool.com/products/wrenches/product.aspx?ID=1731&view=view

I dunno about this website but the prices look about right to me.

http://www.mytoolstore.com/sk/sk03150.html

pipsters · Mar 8, 2012

I have SK flare nut crows foot and Craftsman RP flare nut wrenches. Honestly the Craftsman is stronger, they don't open up like the SK's do. I know what you mean by wanting fully polished but honestly those Craftsman RP flare nut wrenches are really good.

blue dog · Mar 8, 2012

Just got a nice set of SK from tooltopia, very happy with them.

Brandon_Lutz · Mar 8, 2012

The SK ones are nice, and if I'm not mistaken the last US made Craftsman Pro flare nut wrenches were made by SK before they went with the china sourced ones that they sell now.

DTB · Mar 8, 2012

I borrowed a Sk flare nut wrench once to remove a power steering line and it spread and rounded the nut off.I lost confidence in SK then.I wouldn't go cheap on flare nut wrenches.Check ebay or classifieds,etc for used truck brand wrenches.Matco,Armstrong,Snap On,etc..

6-Speed · Mar 8, 2012

I have the Cman flare nut wrench set that are made in China. They look nice and served me well for changing out the master cylinder and proportioning valve on my Accord.

cgv69 · Mar 8, 2012

pipsters said:
I know what you mean by wanting fully polished but honestly those Craftsman RP flare nut wrenches are really good.

True, this is more of a want then a need. Big part of the reason I won't spend a ton replacing them with something "nicer"

To bad to read about issues with the SK version as that's basically what CMan Pro "k" stamped ones are. Guess I'll just have to look around some more and either get lucky on a truck brand set or just deal with what I have.

98TJ · Mar 8, 2012

I have the USA made metric Craftsman Pro flare nut wrenches. I'd love to find a matching SAE set. I don't like the Chinese stuff that's in the local store.

Murphy4570 · Mar 9, 2012

I have the USA made standard Craftsman Pro flarenut wrenches, they're surprisingly good quality. I used the 7/8" one on O2 sensors daily for a couple years, usually in conjunction with a hammer to loosen stuck O2 sensors. Damn thing never skipped a beat. I was sure I'd break it, but it has held up well.

If you can find a set on the used/secondhand market, they are definitely a viable choice. You won't find it at Sears, unless you come across a backwater REALLY low volume store that still has old stock on the shelves. Try somewhere in BFE! :lol:

All Sears has anymore is the Chi-Com ****, I looked just a few days ago. Harbor Freight quality with American made price! Laughable.

el tanque prohibido · Mar 9, 2012

cgv69 said:
I don't use flair nut wrenches enough to justify a set of SO's but I still want a good quality,

If you want an S-O flare nut wrench but don't want to spend the money, it just so happens that GearWrench makes an exact copy.

thesilverone · Mar 9, 2012

thesilverone said:
As far as Cman Pro flare nut wrenches...you are SOL. I would buy used Snap On.

Michael37 said:
As far as Cman Pro flare nut wrenches...you are SOL. I would buy used Snap On.
__________________

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cgv69 · Mar 9, 2012

el tanque prohibido said:
If you want an S-O flare nut wrench but don't want to spend the money, it just so happens that GearWrench makes an exact copy.

Aren't those made in CHICOM or Taiwan? They may be fine and I know not everything made there is sh!t but I prefer to avoid buying products from there when possible. No judgement on those of you who do, just a personal preference. :beer:

cotjocky · Mar 9, 2012

Not all tools have to be the "best". Especially if you don't earn a living with your tools.

As stated by another poster, flare nut wrenches/flare nut crows feet is something you don't want to cheap out on. I've had experience with "other USA branded tools", Snap-on is the only ones that have never failed me. Every one I have tried has spread and ruined the line. Once that happens, it all goes down hill. Unless you want to set yourself up for a curse fit and heart ache, go Snap-on.

I've seen used Snap-on sets go as cheap as $60 on eBay.

RKA · Mar 9, 2012

Send me a PM over the weekend. I have a metric set I might part with.

SMKS · Mar 9, 2012

To the OP-

The "K" marking indicates that the older Craftsman flare nut wrenches were made by SK. If you want the same wrench with a different name, just buy the SK set.

http://www.skhandtool.com/products/wrenches/product.aspx?ID=1732&view=view

http://www.skhandtool.com/wrenches/373.aspx

cruiser808 · Mar 9, 2012

cotjocky said:
Not all tools have to be the "best". Especially if you don't earn a living with your tools.

As stated by another poster, flare nut wrenches/flare nut crows feet is something you don't want to cheap out on. I've had experience with "other USA branded tools", Snap-on is the only ones that have never failed me. Every one I have tried has spread and ruined the line. Once that happens, it all goes down hill. Unless you want to set yourself up for a curse fit and heart ache, go Snap-on.

I've seen used Snap-on sets go as cheap as $60 on eBay.

Yup, add me to the list for Snap-on flare wrenches.

warmpancakes · Mar 9, 2012

i have a almost complete set of SOs for sale, they are the best you can get

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137490

Id do the metric and SAES for 175.00 shipped for both sets

4x4gearhead · Mar 9, 2012

I refuse to cheap out on open end wrenches I would also try to find some used snap ones, the old ones that are the chrome "raised panel" ones are the best flarenut wrenches on earth.

el tanque prohibido · Mar 9, 2012

cgv69 said:
Aren't those made in CHICOM or Taiwan?

Yes they are. If you want full polished and USA, you might try Armstrong.

powertrip · Mar 9, 2012

el tanque prohibido said:
Yes they are. If you want full polished and USA, you might try Armstrong.

You didn't answer the question. Are they china or taiwan?

98TJ · Mar 9, 2012

stephen9666 said:
To the OP-

The "K" marking indicates that the older Craftsman flare nut wrenches were made by SK. If you want the same wrench with a different name, just buy the SK set.

http://www.skhandtool.com/products/wrenches/product.aspx?ID=1732&view=view

http://www.skhandtool.com/wrenches/373.aspx

Nice!

Thanks for the info. :thumbup:

DiyType · Mar 9, 2012

Great info. I will look at the SK crow foot wrenches. :thumbup:

I will not buy the Craftsman China ones :shocking:

Craftsman Pro Flare nut wrenches?

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