Crows feet

[f4 plt]

How often do you use crows feet wrenches and when you do are they 3/8 or 1/4 in drive?

 

[B.S.A. (ret.)]

I have 3/8" drive SAE & Metric in standard and flare patterns. For the most part, they live a quiet, undisturbed existence in the back of the drawer. When needed, they are invaluable. Others may argue about heating and bending a "junker wrench" to the needed configuration, but having the right tool for the job saves a ton of time.

 

[fordnut85]

I have 3/8" drive SAE & Metric in standard and flare patterns. For the most part, they live a quiet, undisturbed existence in the back of the drawer. When needed, they are invaluable. Others may argue about heating and bending a "junker wrench" to the needed configuration, but having the right tool for the job saves a ton of time.

What he said. Don't need them very often but they are damn handy when you do. I seem to use them quite a bit for torquing fasteners that I can't get a torque wrench on directly.

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[dbm52]

they come in very handy on o2 sensors

 

[nes999]

Crows feet are one of those tools I frequently think of selling off. Usually about that time is when I need my set and in greatful that I have a good set. I have tried the super cheapie sets and they usually are a pain in the rear.

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[noid]

When you need them you need them.

Without one you're dropping the rear subframe in this application:

 

[Parrothead]

I bought them a couple of years ago when Menards was clearancing out the USA made Allen/Masterforce sets. I paid almost nothing for them, but I’ve never even touched them.

 

[zmotorsports]

Mine are 3/8" sets and I don't use them very often but when you need them you need them.

Just used them last weekend removing the steering gearbox from my Duramax and needed them to break the pressure hose loose from the gearbox exactly like noid shows above.

 

[ken w.]

I have both metric and ase s/o flares. I've use 3 out of the 2 sets. I have a bunch of other singles as well. I would buy singles if I were to do it over. I also have a s/o 3/8" drive adjustable crowfoot that I have never had a chance to try out yet.

 

[Rick B.]

I've never needed nor used one until last month when I noticed that the nut holding the rear footboard of my Heritage Classic was a bit loose. I didn't have a crowsfoot so I made one.

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[Den69rs96]

Wish I had one putting headers on my camaro. The pass rear bolt is a monster pita. I have a heater box, hoses, and the header tube all making a normal wrench useless. I’ve been looking and all the ones I seem to find are cheap quality. I don’t need snap on, but something decent.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

3/8 and 1/2 drive, no 1/4.
I use either about as often. Lots of times it's for hydraulic lines / fittings / cartridge valves jammed too close together to get any other way. Just used one yesterday for exactly that scenario to replace a cartridge.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I've never needed nor used one until last month when I noticed that the nut holding the rear footboard of my Heritage Classic was a bit loose. I didn't have a crowsfoot so I made one.

Awesome!

 

[Lassen Forge]

Most of mine are 3/8" drive, and when you need one, you'll know...

 

[turnthewrench 2.0]

...but I’ve never even touched them.

And that's a good thing. You'll know when to touch 'em.

 

[engineer2]

3/8 drive metric flare nut crows feet from Astro Pneumatic. Handy for those hard-to-reach power steering line fittings.

 

[crugg65]

I have a set of 3/8” and 1/2” drive and use them quite often on Hydraulic connections in tight spots.


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[gfc62]

Many great answers here, all I can add is that I'd rather have 3/8" drive in both open end and flare nut rather than multiple open end sets in different drive sizes. Of course, that's for typical automotive use.

I second the recommendation on Astro Pneumatic. I have a 1/4" drive set that are great for the price. Also look for deals on SK & GearWrench CF sets.

 

[cvairwerks]

We've got 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive at work in our boxes. Don't get used every day, but a couple of times a month on average.

 

[Danglerb]

I don't have a set. I just buy good brands when I see them at a good price used.

I'm wondering if a 1/4 set is ever really needed, would have to be pretty tight clearance and low torque.

 

[crewchief888]

3/8 and 1/2 drive, no 1/4.
I use either about as often. Lots of times it's for hydraulic lines / fittings / cartridge valves jammed too close together to get any other way. Just used one yesterday for exactly that scenario to replace a cartridge.

most of mine are 3/8" dr. open end, 7/8", 15/16", 1", 1 1/16", 1 1/4" are my most used for hyd lines. on occasion a 17MM open end, or flare nut, on an injection pump line.

all mine are SO. no room for "failure", rounding off a hose in a tight spot could cause me a lot of grief, and added time....

 

[GTO]

I would say 3/8" drive would be the most common.I would start out with a set of each MM and SAE.Get the crowsfeet line sets.
Good luck

 

[trackwelder]

Just used one yesterday changing a few brakes lines on a Silverado. The lines going to the ABS pump are a *****.

 

[Finky198]

I have both drive sizes 3 sets in total from snappy. Which come highly recommend on the forum and I completely concur... little to no spreading means less rounded fasteners...

I have the 1/4”dr 12pt deep crowsfeet in sae, they are occasionally the only thing that will work. But my go to sets are by far the 3/8”dr flare/line crowsfeet.

 

[Bessy]

bought two 7pc sets (SAE and Metric) in 3/8 drive just before Christmas. I've had only a couple instances where they would have been useful, the most recent being the removal of the front bolts for the blade mount on my atv. Could have probably done the job with a stubby wrench, but the only ones i have are gearwrench and they are just a tad too big to get into the spot I needed. Skillfully dropped a crowsfoot onto the nut, then hit the bolt with an impact, when it came loose, nut and crowsfoot fell to the floor underneath. Worked perfect!

 

[Whiskeymike]

1/2” here. Required for torquing control arm adjustment nuts on jeeps.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Mine are 3/8". They get used rarely, usually living in the back of a drawer in my box

 

[Jason280]

I have them in 3/8 and 1/2", but the 1/2" is a large Northern Tool set I picked up for $5. I've only needed them a couple of times, but they were absolutely invaluable...but most of the time they just sit in a tool box.

 

[Wrenchinfool]

I have 3/8 sae metric in line wrench and standard..1/2 sae 1 1/4-2inch..the 3/8 drive are snap on and sunex..the 1/2 drive are snap on and mac, two are twelve point, I also have a adjustable crows foot that I have never used..

 

[Sommech7498]

I use them very rarely on hydraulic fitting for forklifts. They are the only thing that will work in certain situations. Mine are sk 3/8 drive. I’d recommend them

 

[mfewtrail]

All the ones I have are 3/8'' drive. I have std + metric regular sets, and a metric flare nut set. Mostly used on random brake or ps line fittings.

 

[6PTsocket]

I had to replace the leaking hydraulic lines on a rack and pinion assy. I had nothing that would reach so I bought a 3/8 Sunnex set and got the job done. I was a little disapointed to see that they have no detent for the ball on the extension. I had a couple of slip offs. I don't know if they are all made that way but I would look for one that had it if I was buying again. I have used them very little since then.

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[j789139]

Beginning DIYer working on a 96 civic and looks like I can use a 3/8 drive 10mm crows foot, to get to PS return hose clamp. Reading this thread, it appears crows feet aren't used often but when needed, are invaluable. That said, would you get sizes, as needed or pick up a set(s)? What else to consider...Flare, flex, etc?

 

[cvairwerks]

We just buy them in sets, but in our situation, we built up almost 400 tool boxes at one shot. Replacements are bought as singles.

 

[driftpin]

We have narrow concrete vaults for the H20 street shutoff valve to the house. A crows foot makes a pain in the *** job working a rarely-used valve a piece of cake.

For confined space/access fasteners including flare nuts, crows foot wrenches make things much more simple and quick. As Dad said, "use the right tool for the job."

 

[crewchief888]

Beginning DIYer working on a 96 civic and looks like I can use a 3/8 drive 10mm crows foot, to get to PS return hose clamp. Reading this thread, it appears crows feet aren't used often but when needed, are invaluable. That said, would you get sizes, as needed or pick up a set(s)? What else to consider...Flare, flex, etc?

i buy what i need when i need it.

most of mine are open ended 3/8" dr.
i have a couple MM flare nut types for specific lines/fittings, and also some line sockets for specific sensors.

all SO, all purchased brand new over the years.

 

[lis2323]

I use them every once in a while to torque bolts on flanges that a socket won't fit on. Usually PSVs.

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[M6erfan]

I have a S&K metric set I bought for a specific job about 15 years ago. I've used them maybe twice after that original job.

 

[Bobcat753]

I love using them with a cordless or air powered impact to break loose stubborn Hydraulic fittings. Use an extension. The 1/4 turn you can get with the impact does wonders.

 

[shawndp]

3/8 set that doesn’t see frequent service but is awesome to have when needed. I had some random set till I upgraded to a larger Tekton that goes to 22mm.