Does anyone use line wrenches that AREN'T Snap On?

[just_me]

SK is the supplier for all their pro wrenches? Good to know.

Note that not all SKs are "sure grip" either, or their marketing literature does not mention it for all part numbers. SK's full polish metric 9 x 11 does specify, though.

I do like the two craftsman pro sets I bought - one ratcheting and one stubby combo. Figures. I like SK a lot.

thnks.

Umm, Craftsman Pro = SK.

SK is the supplier for the full polished wrenches.

 

[goodfellow]

Re: SK is the supplier for all their pro wrenches? Good to know.

Note that not all SKs are "sure grip" either, or their marketing literature does not mention it for all part numbers. SK's full polish metric 9 x 11 does specify, though.

I do like the two craftsman pro sets I bought - one ratcheting and one stubby combo. Figures. I like SK a lot.

thnks.

I have snap-on flare nut wrenches for the tough jobs. I have cheapies in my road box and they work, but they have only been used on new fittings. The snap-ons are always used on the older corroded stuff.

 

[Jononon]

Re: What I've learned about line wrenches

I have a Gearwrench (non-ratcheting) metric set, which I bought when my opportunity to borrow Snap-ons dried up.

The Snap-ons are nearly 5x the price of the Gearwrenches, at local prices Even the US price differential would, for me, rule out the Snap-on tools.

Are the Snap-ons better ? Possibly, I would be willing to consider that they might be more durable, but I don't use them every day, or even every month, and the Gearwrenches certainly don't slip on, or chew up, the fasteners.

Two manufacturers have patented designs that grab and turn the flats, not the corners. This allows 50%-100% more torque without damage. These have curved sides to the wrench. The two are Snap on (flank drive) and SK (sure grip).

The Gearwrenches also feature curved drive faces - 'Surface Drive Plus'.

 

[strizzy]

Re: SK is the supplier for all their pro wrenches? Good to know.

Note that not all SKs are "sure grip" either, or their marketing literature does not mention it for all part numbers. SK's full polish metric 9 x 11 does specify, though.

I do like the two craftsman pro sets I bought - one ratcheting and one stubby combo. Figures. I like SK a lot.

thnks.

Just so its clear, SK is the supplier for the fully polished LINE wrenches.

 

[Hawk231]

I wonder how these would hold up.

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/V8-8811.html

I've never heard of them before. Someone buy a set and let me know how they work.

 

[rsanter]

I have the snap on and they fit the nuts great. I have the Cman regular and they have done well but you can tell they do not fit as well. I also have the snap on crowsfoot set that has come in remarkably handy many times.
I also used someones Mac line wrenches one time and they seemed to be good as well

bob

 

[joenero]

I actually would use C-man pro over SK just because the SKs I've used had a looser fit then the newer c-man pros, even though they felt "tougher." Matco's are pretty good too, never had an issue with that set.

 

[BadBloodRacing]

I use Craftesman line wrenches with good results, but than again 98% of my tools are Craftsman as I can't see spending the extra money on S.O., Mac. or any other "truck" brand.

 

[justinking060310]

I have both sets of the Craftsman Pro's - Never had a problem with them.

 

[le6920]

I have a set of these Bonney wrenches and they work fine. I must admit I don't use them very often though so I don't know if they'd stand up to everyday use, but I think they would.

 

[jhn9840]

Got a Craftsman sae & metric set from either the 70's or 80's in my main box and another old set that just says China on them in my roadbox. Guess I am just lucky never had a problem with any of them.

jhn9840
John

 

[Fedwrench]

Yes, many people use Non Snap on line wrenches but when they damage a fitting, have to cut the hose off to use a 6 point socket to get the screwed up fitting off, or replace the wheel cylinder, brake caliper, power steering whatever, or other part that didn't really need to be replaced but now has to because of a damaged fitting, they learn the error in their ways and obtain Snap on versions as soon as possible.

 

[le6920]

Yes, many people use Non Snap on line wrenches but when they damage a fitting, have to cut the hose off to use a 6 point socket to get the screwed up fitting off, or replace the wheel cylinder, brake caliper, power steering whatever, or other part that didn't really need to be replaced but now has to because of a damaged fitting, they learn the error in their ways and obtain Snap on versions as soon as possible.

the kool-aid is with this one.

 

[eschoendorff]

Yes, many people use Non Snap on line wrenches but when they damage a fitting, have to cut the hose off to use a 6 point socket to get the screwed up fitting off, or replace the wheel cylinder, brake caliper, power steering whatever, or other part that didn't really need to be replaced but now has to because of a damaged fitting, they learn the error in their ways and obtain Snap on versions as soon as possible.

This is precisely why I started this thread. There are some people who truly believe that only a Snap On line wrench is capable of turning fittings without stripping and/or destroying them as well as other components.

I would like to hear from real-world users who do NOT use Snap On line wrenches. I have had decent luck with my Craftsman pros, but I have only needed them a few times. What about the folks who use them everyday? What if the only tool truck that stops by is a Matco tool truck - or an S*K truck???? Somehow, I just cannot believe that Snap On is the only company capable of making a workable line wrench....

 

[swgray]

This is precisely why I started this thread. There are some people who truly believe that only a Snap On line wrench is capable of turning fittings without stripping and/or destroying them as well as other components.

I would like to hear from real-world users who do NOT use Snap On line wrenches. I have had decent luck with my Craftsman pros, but I have only needed them a few times. What about the folks who use them everyday? What if the only tool truck that stops by is a Matco tool truck - or an S*K truck???? Somehow, I just cannot believe that Snap On is the only company capable of making a workable line wrench....

I've never bought flare nut wrenches. I've never had to cut a good usable line to replace a damaged fitting. Its usually the other way round. The line is **** and a new line comes with fittings anyway.

 

[Fedwrench]

Ok, let me try this again. As a young teenager I used Craftsman raised panel flare nut wrenches (there wasn't the professional line back then) and Proto versions. The Protos were the combination Flare on one end with an open end on the other. The Craftsman spread a little, became loose on fasteners which led to rounding. I also broke a couple. However, the price was right and the warranty was easy. I never had a problem with the Proto versions.The Proto versions are still kicking over 30 years later but, they're SAE so they're not seeing much use these days.
In college I got a MAC set through the Votech tool program. They were very pretty and I really liked the feel of the wrench beams and the 8x10mm was really handy. However, I had problems with their 18mm spreading and rounding power steering hose ends on racks. About that time, the only tool truck visiting the dealership was Matco so, I got flare crowfeet and some Matco line wrenches. I didn't care for the thin profile on the Matco wrench beams as it tended to leave a nice crease in my hand if applying lots of pressure. The crowfeet were a great improvement but, I later found out that the way the wrench is beveled for easier attaching to the fastener actually reduces surface contact area and the 18mm spread. About this time, I surveyed what everyone else was using in the shop and what worked for them. Most were using Snap on. After searching for bargains, I came up with Snap on flare crowfeet, open end flare combination, and traditional line wrenches. Why is the Snap on flare wrench superior? It just is. For one thing, each size wrench is just the right heft and weight to it. The flare ends are machined like their sockets for off corner engagement of the fastener. The wrench ends are angled slightly sharper than others for improved access. Any beveling for faster fastener engagement doesn't reduce surface contact area. Lastly, whatever steel they use (must be comparable to the price of gold) doesn't spread.
Can you get by with a different brand of flare wrench? It depends on how often and how hard you use it. In a profession where time is money, you can't afford to have your tools let you down or cause you additional work.
This is just my experience but, after using Craftsman, Proto, Mac, and Matco flare wrench products, I prefer Snap on. To me Snap on makes the best #2 phillips screwdriver tip (but that's another thread) and flare nut wrenches.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Look, you just as well stick a fork in this one, for the tried and true Snappy users /believers that is going to be the only answer you get; then you will get the feedback from the guys like me that have every brand mix from Snap-on to Plomb to the despised Cman's and I have no complaints against the service I have gotten out of any of them including the Cman, this will just be as it is!

 

[wilbilt]

This is precisely why I started this thread. There are some people who truly believe that only a Snap On line wrench is capable of turning fittings without stripping and/or destroying them as well as other components.

I would like to hear from real-world users who do NOT use Snap On line wrenches.

I have Snap_On long combos. I would use nothing else in a bread-and-butter environment.

For line wrenches, I prefer the S•Ks. Krusty says his spread...mine never did. They have a good balance between the bulk of the Snap_On and the weakness of the Cman raised panel.

The S•Ks are shorter than the Snap_Ons. This can be good, depends on the situation.

 

[RPH]

SK and never had a problem with them. And some of the apes at the shop really torque the fittings down on the machines.

 

[Nikolai_V]

Can I chime in with an outside opinion. I work on old vehicles, worse than that old 4x4s from a wet coastal climate (for fun no less). I use a set of double ended King Tony flare nut spanners, have done for the past 4 years. Even had to use a cheater bar on one. The result - that good old taiwanese steel has held up just fine. nice thick (and deep) walls, grip rusted/seized banjo bolts no problem (even without flank drive). And hey. if its really seized and your tempted to spend ***.** on Snap-On rather than risk your inferior tools then penetrating oil is your friend . Failing that, propane torch to take account of differential expansion of dissimilar metals....

Just my NZD$0.02 (worth USD$0.16 at the moment and rising ) might equal cheaper S-O?

 

[mulepackin]

At the risk of overworking a pretty well worked thread; I have used regular Craftsmans a fair amount (no not everyday). There are a lot of hydraulic fittings on our farm and ranch equipment and something is always breaking, leaking by, or needing rebuilt, in addition to airlines on the semi, and the usual fuel lines, standard brakes, etc. So again, a fair amount of use. My Craftsmans are older (pre Pro-line), and they have done everything we've asked of them without buggering up fittings. I view these as specialty tools, and I don't have any problem buying my specialty tools from Snap-On, or any other manufacturer that I think will provide the best bang for my buck. Just as an aside, I did get a set of HF flare wrenches once, I was reminded of making sand candles as a child in school, thats how poor the castings were. No worry about rounding or wrecking fittings though. The wrench would've broken first.

 

[russlaferrera]

I have Snap-On, S-K, Craftsman, Bonney, and yes Harbor Freight (the crowfoot style). All work great.

 

[Spookrider]

S&K good as any thing else out there. It is not quite Snap-On but not Craftsman.

 

[Hawk231]

You could have had this set, and what a deal.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=330211896718&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=014

Cheap at twice the price.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...er=Brand|Craftsman^Type+of+Wrench|Wrench+sets

 

[mojorissin]

if you had snap on flank drive plus you wouldn't even need line wrenches . so thats just a waste ..
you needed them because your regular wrenches just ****** stuff up .

 

[Hawk231]

Umm, no, there is a proper tool for every job.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

around here most flare nuts crumble when touched
on our 30k service , we used to use the brake flush machine - cars with 30 thousand miles on them , already half of the brake bleeders were seized

 

[RickP330]

S&K here. Been using them 20 some-odd years with good success. HOWEVER, when I grow up I wanna set of snappys LOL
Rick

 

[64merc]

I just found an old Bonney "12 point" line wrench. It has 1 1/8 on one end and 7/8 on the other. Kind of a weird combo of sizes isn't it??

Anyway, it is a little thick and heavy, but that's what makes it cool.

 

[eschoendorff]

if you had snap on flank drive plus you wouldn't even need line wrenches . so thats just a waste ..
you needed them because your regular wrenches just ****** stuff up .

been drinking the Kool-aide?

 

[billymade]

I have the Craftsman raised panel line wrenches but I think they stopped making them (discontinued, they all went on clearance at our store); I can't remember rounding anything with them, though. The new craftsman pro sets are priced pretty reasonably but I would assume the snapons would probably fit the fastener better if you do allot of brake/line work.

 

[Lightning]

You could use flank drive plus wrenches on flare nuts if you do not have flare nut wrenches. The flank drive plus allows for much more torque compared to traditional open end wrenches. The problem though is that the serrated jaws will mar soft metals.

 

[paramudduck]

Proto, Wright,and Cornwell with a few odds and ends of Mac, SK and Snap On.

The only times I have rounded a line fitting have been with the Snap On wrenches.
Line on a Kenworth with over one million miles on it. Heated and pliered off then replaced the entire assembly.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

i have german Elora ones. i think they're better than the Snap-on ones. they're a very tight fit and i've never rounded a fitting with them. for me, they're the best you can get. they're much cheaper than Snap-on too.

 

[Jay H 237]

I have 2 sets of metric and standard of the C-man raised panels and haven't had any problems yet.

(home mechanic, not a professional)

 

[wilbilt]

I have 2 sets of metric and standard of the C-man raised panels and haven't had any problems yet.

Tent stakes are what those are good for.

They do break in the hard clay soil here, though.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I have a set of these Bonney wrenches and they work fine. I must admit I don't use them very often though so I don't know if they'd stand up to everyday use, but I think they would.

That is my favorite set of line wrenches, I would like a full set of them, though I think the 6pt style is better suited to the real stubborn buggers!

 

[Uncle Buck]

been drinking the Kool-aide?

I think Merkava has brought him in for support!

 

[PoorOwner]

ooh, 12 point flare wrenches....
I have had to buy a 12 pt box end wrench and cut it open like a flare because I was trying to tighten the line between the compressor and turbine housing, it only have 1" to swing!!

 

[Rickochet]

6 Point Snap On-- I have used the rest, but chose the best in the case. This is one area where Snap On truly shines!