I've got a bunch of different type and brand of wrenches, and while reading something on the Flank drive it started me thinking, I almost never apply a lot of force with any open end wrench switching to box end if I can. Which is the better way to go, given most box end are 12pt?
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Flank drive or box end?
- Thread starter Danglerb
- Start date
Bikes&Bowties
Well-known member
Sometimes you don't have an option to use a box end or socket....
tjmonsen5
Well-known member
Box end is always best to bust loose with, but in the situation where the box end wont fit. The flank drive plus really grabs tight. I use them all the time and I have never had one slip off.
chris142
Well-known member
I used one of my new flank drive plus wrenches today on a hard to acess bolt and I'm sold! I could only get a small bite on The bolt head but it held onto it and did not slip.
I used my CM raised panel wrenches yesterday to brake tighten a nut for the first time in very long time and couldnt believe how bad they were
I'm not following you here, but what exactly were you doing? Where you working with a brake line fitting?
If you are asking whether or not to bother with the flank drive (plus) open end wrenches or not, I would definitely bother. Box end always gives you more purchase, but as stated above you don't always have that option and in that case, Flank drive is an excellent addition to the open end. I think there is a video on youtube that shows how effective they are if you do a quick search.
I'm not following you here, but what exactly were you doing? Where you working with a brake line fitting?
Tightening control arm ball joint on BMW. Its 16mm nut and I only had 6 point box wrench. the nut I was working on is located in very tight spot and 6 point box wrench didnt allow me to use full stoke and still being able to reposition it for next stroke. So I tried using open end and it phaking sucked!
tjmonsen5
Well-known member
I have both, didn't know that about Flank drive being the box end and Plus the open end version. I just bought the Snapon's in a few sizes I like and noted some had the different open end.
Thanks for the info.
All Snap-on wrenches have flank drive box ends, the plus is just bonus on the open end.