Crowfoot Wrench Recommendations

[neoOberon]

Since I received such great advice with my last "recommendation" thread, I thought I would ask for more advice.

I'm looking to purchase a decent crowfoot wrench set; metric. I'd rather pay a little extra and get a good set, then cheap out and end up upgrading in the future.

To give an idea of brand quality; Sunex, GP, Gearwrench etc.

I won't lie; I have no idea what to look for when purchasing a set of crowfeet...the wrenches, not the feet of the bird. Actually, I don't know what to look for when buying feet from crows either; why am I buying severed crow feet again?

 

[B_Bimmer]

Proto makes some great ones with their ASD feature. They are not in the price range you speak of... nor are they in the same league functionally. I have been disappointed with cheap crowsfeet, but things get rusty where I live so your experience may vary.

 

[gdocktor3]

First, I bought a set of crowfoot wrenches a few years ago, never used them. I even purposely tried using them and couldn't. I've read many many stories on here of veteran mechanics never having to use a crowfoot wrench. My point, don't spend a ton of money on something you might use once, twice, never. With that said, I researched all the brands out there. What I can remember is the Sunex crowfoot wrenches didn't have a ball detent and would slide off the extension easily. I want to say the GP was the same. The Gearwrench seemed a bit cheap for me. You want a quality set of 6 point flare crowfoot wrenches, not the open ended type, because if you need one, its going to be in a tricky spot and hard to get at. The 6 point will lock on better and get a better bite. I went the eBay route and built a set out of Armstrong and Easco.

Its a catch 22 in the sense you don't want to spend a lot because they generally don't get used often, but you don't want to spend too little and have tools that won't grip the fastener. I'd go the eBay route and buy a quality used set for roughly the same price as a new, not so good brand. Here's an example of something I would buy. Make an offer of $40 and see what happens. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cornwell-6-...:g:1q8AAOSwv9hW41Mb&item=322037070158&vxp=mtr

 

[crewchief888]

i have several, open ended "larger" sizes, 3/4"- 1 1/4", 14mm, 17mm all 3/8" dr

3 or 4 MM sizes in flarenut, and a few MM line sockets.

never bought a "set", only an "as needed" basis.

all SO

if i need one, i REALLY need one, and dont want it spreading open and rounding off a hose or fitting in a really bad spot.

 

[Coach James]

I have SAE and metric crowfoot, flare type Evercraft from NAPA. I've used them a few times and they have worked fine.

Coach

 

[Ruger_556]

SK are pretty good haven't spread one yet. Tekton are garbage, might as well burn your money.

 

[2mJps]

I have a set of sae that i got at a flea market years ago i dont think they have any name on them. I cant say any thing bad about them they have never let me down. I got them thinking i would get some better ones when i had more money thats been over 20 years ago.I just got a metric set from Orileys but i havent used them yet.

 

[Vantastic]

Buy my snap on flare set on eBay.

 

[Skin]

SK are pretty good haven't spread one yet. Tekton are garbage, might as well burn your money.

Only problem with SK is their detent/scallop machine seems to be hit/miss. Not a huge issue but as a matter of consistency its a little annoying.

Buy my snap on flare set on eBay.

Their decision to etch sizing/brand on them kind of ruined them. For the price its lame to cheap out like that.

 

[B_Bimmer]

So VERY true.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I have a open end and flare nut sets of Craftsman. They're not terrible. I also have a Snap On open end set. They're pretty good, but pricey. I also have a 1/2" drive open end Sunex set. They're not bad. Although they seem a little long. They have a bit of a "neck" from the detent to the wrench. Seems a bit longer than other brands.

 

[Jim C.]

If you don't have a specific need for them, I'd recommend not getting them at all. I have a set of both Craftsman SAE and metric. I used one of the SAE sizes several years ago (in a plumbing application) and don't remember ever using any of the metric sizes. If you're not a pro tech you'll probably never use them.

Jim C.

 

[ken w.]

I have 2 sets ase / metric of SO flare end. I think I have used 2 sizes from each set. I have a few others that I bought as I needed that size or saw one or two at a fleamarket. Another thing that isn't as handy as it sounds is an adjustable crowsfoot. I would say if you are going to buy them that the flares would be the better choice. If you don't really need them, I would invest in a more useful tool.

 

[bobcatdan]

I have 1/2" drive sunnex and am very happy with them, but can't speak for 3/8" drive. I have broke the drive on one, but otherwise have always gotten the job done. Otherwise I have SO 3/8" and 1/2" drive. For me they are very impotant to my operation. I also have Matco flare ones I never use.

 

[Skin]

If you don't have a specific need for them, I'd recommend not getting them at all. I have a set of both Craftsman SAE and metric. I used one of the SAE sizes several years ago (in a plumbing application) and don't remember ever using any of the metric sizes. If you're not a pro tech you'll probably never use them.

Jim C.

I think the flare in metric are worth having. There can be some really terribly located hydraulic or EGR lines on many vehicles, new and old.

 

[SuitorsGarage]

What I can remember is the Sunex crowfoot wrenches didn't have a ball detent and would slide off the extension easily.

This is true.

I use large ones a lot. Mostly 2" and 2 1/4" on hard to reach hydraulic fittings. I supply my workers with shop tools but have enough of my own tools at the shop to get anything done. Shop supplied ones are proto asd and mine are sunnex. Sunnex gets the job done but the protos are far better and don't fall off the ratchet.

 

[udderlyoffroad]

I keep a coffee can of chineseium ring spanners (box end wrenches) around, along a selection of craptacular sockets.

If I come accross a situation where I need a crowsfoot, I simply weld a custom one up out of an old wrench and socket. I can use either the open end, the closed end, or the closed end with a chunk cut out to make a flare-end depending on the application.

Cheap and easy, and less £/$ than a selection of both metric and SAE that I would need

YMMV, of course, and I suspect this is a home-gamer solution that won't satisfy the 'Give me Snapon or give me death' clique on here!

Matt

 

[bcradio]

I have the Sunex flare style metric & SAE, SAE Tekton regular and Gearwrench metric regular styles. I haven't used a single one of them yet, so I can't comment on how good the are. They do look neat in the toolbox if that matters to you.

 

[toolman9w]

I don't know if it has been mentioned here or not. Make sure in the SAE set it comes with 15/16 a lot of cheaper versions and higher end versions skip this one. Not sure why, that was my most used one. I have a cheap set of the flare type and regular type. One of those rarely used tools but invaluable if needed. I like the Gearwrench.

 

[SIKPUP]

I also have the Sunex flare style metric & SAE...I do enough mechanical stuff that I have needed them a couple of times ! I want to say when I put them on a 3/8 extention the crowsfoot goes on past the retaining ball, and didn't fall off... these do what I need without the big $$$$$ !

 

[Al Borland]

I have some random SK and a set of Kobalt. For the amount of use they get, the Kobalt are plenty good.

 

[neoOberon]

Just shows how little I know about automotive work; figured the crowfoot would get more use.

There are definitely more tools for me to buy; ones that will probably get more use. Thanks to everyone that replied...as always, much appreciated.

 

[gdocktor3]

Just shows how little I know about automotive work; figured the crowfoot would get more use.

There are definitely more tools for me to buy; ones that will probably get more use. Thanks to everyone that replied...as always, much appreciated.

If you haven't already, spend the money you just saved on a good set of flare nut wrenches. They will get much more use.

 

[jt777]

I have gray canada brand metric crowsfeet in 10-24mm. Paid 100 bucks for the set. I used it on my s10 power steering pump lines and once on a case mini excavator.
Not something ill ever use often but got 100 bucks is better than rounding lines off or spending 400 or 500 bucks on a snap on set.

 

[neoOberon]

I've never heard of Flare Nut Wrenches; something I'll look into gdocktor3...thanks for the tip!

 

[gdocktor3]

I've never heard of Flare Nut Wrenches; something I'll look into gdocktor3...thanks for the tip!

Sure thing. In all seriousness though, these are not wrenches you want to cheap out on. For some reason craftsman, HF or other cheap brands like those don't grip the same as a good top tier set does. For a long time I used a set of random snap on, SK, kal and Mac flare wrenches I picked up here and there. A few weeks ago I was in a pawn shop and scored a complete snap on set for $15. If you can't afford or justify buying a new set of snap on or Matco, I'd say buy used off eBay. A used set will work far better then a new cheapo set.

 

[neoOberon]

I was looking at a set of Flare Nut Wrenches by Gear Wrench...would that be considered a cheapo set?

Keep in mind, I'm a weekend warrior at best.

 

[gdocktor3]

Keep in mind, I'm a weekend warrior at best.

As am I, but occasionally I have some real epic battles. So for me, I prefer to pay the extra for new USA or buy used quality top tier stuff. Line wrenches are generally used on soft metal fittings. You need a nice, tight fitting wrench that don't round or strip the fastener. Although Gearwrench is not considered cheapo these days and I own a lot of their stuff, I personally wouldn't buy their flare wrenches. So I quickly looked and found gw sets cost roughly $50 for 6. I myself would rather pony up the few extra dollars and get a 6 piece SK set like this for $78 http://m.ebay.com/itm/Flare-Nut-Wrench-Set-Sk-Professional-Tools-376-/221565453956?nav=SEARCH

Or pay the $20 obo for something like this to build off of http://m.ebay.com/itm/DURO-INDESTRO-STD-FLARE-NUT-LINE-WRENCH-SET-NEW-USA-/251089387911?nav=SEARCH

Here's a used Proto set. http://m.ebay.com/itm/Proto-Six-Piece-Line-Wrench-Set-/272153869588?nav=SEARCH

 

[neoOberon]

Here in Canada, you never get the the crazy deals you get down there. $15 for a snap-on set is madness.

You're a big fan of the SK stuff? Would you consider it a step up over GW and Sunex?

 

[gdocktor3]

Here in Canada, you never get the the crazy deals you get down there. $15 for a snap-on set is madness.

You're a big fan of the SK stuff? Would you consider it a step up over GW and Sunex?

I'm mostly a fan of SK because I grew up using them. Their tools are hit or miss these days. The simplicity of their ratchets are great, but they only offer one style. Their wrenches are really pretty basic, nothing special, but they're made of quality material. I own all 3 brands and each has something better than the other. Sunex impact tools are phenomenal. Gearwrench's ratchets and ratchet wrenches are phenomenal. SK's tools are reliable and simple. IMO, SK's older products are better than today's. 15-20 years ago I'd say they were a step over gw and sunex. These days, I'm not so sure.

 

[PureLeaf]

I have SK flare nut crows feet. I do not recommend them. Terribly finished. They've not rounded anything off on me yet, but for their price I'm not impressed with the look and quality of them. Absolutely nothing like their sockets/wrenches etc.

 

[nh_yota]

I have a set of Tekton metric crowfoot wrenches that I bought last year. They're on the lower end of the quality I've come to expect from Tekton but they were inexpensive and I needed them for a specific project (wheel bearings on my Tacoma). I've only used them once for that project and I don't see using them very often in the future.

My primary use for them would be in conjunction with a torque wrench for those situations where you can loosen the bolt with a regular box wrench but can't use the torque wrench with a standard socket to tighten it back up.