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Flare end wrenches

BrokeEF

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Dec 24, 2008
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341
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Elgin, IL
Well I got through almost every line this weekend without them, but one is being stubborn. I would love to get Snap-On for something like that since it needs to fit well, but damn. $315 for the set, or $48 for the back ordered single wrench I need. That is a hard pill to swallow.

Do I pony up for the Snap-On and deal with the pain once? Is there another brand to consider that is good quality, and preferably made in the US? Any other trick to get this fitting to cooperate without buying new tools?

I am all for getting new tools, but I have a car to build so dropping over $500 (for the SAE and Metric sets) is hard to do. HELP!


Sean
 
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bonneyman

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Apr 22, 2010
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Desert SW
No personal experience with them, but I've heard good things about Proto's offerings on the forum.

Yeah, buying a tool that you have a critical need for is like grocery shopping when you're hungry (i.e. doesn't make for the best choices). For SAE up to 1 1/8" there's always vintage Bonney. But they didn't make their signature Loc-Rite broaching in metric flares. :(
You could go to Epstein's and see what they have. Their inventory of Bonney is declining all the time but they might have the size you need. Or Ebay. But that won't help you much if you need it NOW.
 

58Yeoman

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Oct 1, 2010
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Central IL
AutoZone, etc. "rent" tools for you to use. Do they have flare wrenches? I've rented the double flare set when I had to do some brake lines a couple years ago.
 

Zeus36

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Oct 1, 2016
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Ventura, California
Pass on the Snap-On set.
I have Cornwell US made wrenches for line fittings (they were free).
Armstrong, Proto, Williams, Wright, Mac, Matco are also USA made.
Go to an automotive shop that will rent you the tool, then search for a set on Ebay.
 
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BrokeEF

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Dec 24, 2008
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Elgin, IL
I should clarify, I am not in any kind of rush. This is a project car, not something I need to get back on the road ASAP. The Proto stuff is priced well from a quick look. I will look at the other brands mentioned.

I know current and past Snap-On employees, and they get 50% off around the holidays, but that is still very expensive for some tools I have needed once or twice in my life.

Sean
 

PJNJ

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Sep 20, 2013
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Location
Iowa
Since you're not in a rush, go on Ebay and get a used Snap On wrench. About three years ago or so, I pieced together a set of SAE and Metric SO wrenches from Ebay over the course of a some months. Just had to take my time and not buy the first wrench I saw that looked good. Total invested IIRC under $175. Granted they're different styles from over the years that don't all match, there were initials marked on some, there were scratches and even a little corrosion on a couple. But the fittings don't care. And they have come in handy a couple of times already.

:beer:
 

Nineeightyone

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Mar 21, 2018
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393
Location
Pennsylvania
On advice from here, I got the Blackhawk/proto line wrench set for ~$80. Definitely a good deal, there was one smaller size it was missing (I want to say it was a 9mmx11mm?) which I picked up for another ~$12 from MSC.

The fitment seems good, and they're definitely relatively beefy. Used them to do all new brake lines on my daily, and I'm going to be using them to do new lines on the racecar. Definitely worth the money, and cheaper than Snap-On.
 

MattT

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Feb 20, 2010
Messages
3,201
If you're removing the line to replace it cut it at the fitting & use a socket or box end wrench. Even if you weren't planning to that might be your best/cheapest option. Even the Snap-on flare nut wrenches only improve your chances not guarantee them.
 
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BrokeEF

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Dec 24, 2008
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Elgin, IL
If you're removing the line to replace it cut it at the fitting & use a socket or box end wrench. Even if you weren't planning to that might be your best/cheapest option. Even the Snap-on flare nut wrenches only improve your chances not guarantee them.

I've already cut the line so I could do a box end to get it off. This is more of a reminder that I don't have a tool that could make a difference on something else.

It looks like the SK are the best bang for the buck as far as buying new is concerned. They are also local(ish) to me, which I never knew! Now to decide what set I want, and where to get them from.


Sean
 

driz

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May 22, 2008
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Northern NY
I got a set of Gear wrench 5 years back on Amazon for another $55 SAE/Metric no issues. The only thing is that they are noticeably thicker in the jaw than the Uber[emoji383][emoji383][emoji383] priced ones. No big thing in most cases but if there’s near zero clearance [emoji2359].


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

toolchaser

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Apr 6, 2008
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803
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Greenville, GA
I have the SK set, good quality, work well etc. Just picked up the Snap on set because it was $70 N.I.B. from the pawn shop I frequent. I will post a comparison if I get some shop time this week
 

2ndGearRubber

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Sk and snap on are both good. Sk will typically spread and slip, sparing the fastener typically. Snap on will grab a bit harder, but when they slip they will blow the points off the fastener completely round.

Buy the main sizes from snap on via ebay if you're trying to save money.
 

Wamsutta

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Amarillo, Texas
What is that single size you need? Ebay probably has it. With Snap-on charging shipping now, I'd be checking ebay first.
 

454ragtop

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Carver, MA
Hard to turn your nose up at a 50% discount, even at SO prices, but let me ask why you need flare ends at all? Can't you just use an open end? Also, GearWrench makes flares if that's what you want, and owning a few sets of the GW ratcheting, flex head ratcheting, and my most recent acquisition a 16mm X beam XL ratcheting wrench are all of amazing quality.

You obviously don't live in the rust belt.....:mad:
 
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BrokeEF

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Elgin, IL
I have the SK set, good quality, work well etc. Just picked up the Snap on set because it was $70 N.I.B. from the pawn shop I frequent. I will post a comparison if I get some shop time this week

Thats a killer deal! I'd be interested in hearing the comparison of the two. I have seen in other threads on here that people with both go for the SK first, but no explanation as to why.

Sk and snap on are both good. Sk will typically spread and slip, sparing the fastener typically. Snap on will grab a bit harder, but when they slip they will blow the points off the fastener completely round.

Buy the main sizes from snap on via ebay if you're trying to save money.

Good to know!

I've had good luck with Circle C for SK.

I am not sure if we have a Circle C anywhere around here. I can't say I have ever seen one. Ill have to look into that.

What is that single size you need? Ebay probably has it. With Snap-on charging shipping now, I'd be checking ebay first.

The specific problem line is 10mm, but I had another on this car (which is also getting cut out) that was 12 I think?

Hard to turn your nose up at a 50% discount, even at SO prices, but let me ask why you need flare ends at all? Can't you just use an open end? Also, GearWrench makes flares if that's what you want, and owning a few sets of the GW ratcheting, flex head ratcheting, and my most recent acquisition a 16mm X beam XL ratcheting wrench are all of amazing quality.

I am not exactly turning my nose up at it. It is hard to justify damn near $300 at half price for tools I have needed twice in my life. I am not a mechanic who deals with this kind of situation very often or I would already have a good set in my box.

I looked at GW the same day this came up, and almost pulled the trigger on a black Friday deal for a set. I hesitated because to me a flare wrench needs to be pretty high quality. If I cant get it with an open end, or multiple open end (like I was able to do on some fittings) then I need a tool that is going to work to the best of its ability. With that in mind I figured I would pose the question to GJ after I saw the Snap On prices.

Also, I don't have any issue with GW, and own a couple sets of their ratcheting wrenches. In fact the open end fit the fittings a lot better than my Craftsman, so it was used quite often when dealing with all of these fittings.

You obviously don't live in the rust belt.....:mad:

Right! This car is in very impressive shape for being a 1993 and living its whole life in northern IL. Glad some rich people owned it since new, and took crazy good care of it! Makes it a lot easier to turn into a race car :D

my SK made craftsman pro's haven't let me down yet

Is SK still making the Craftsman Pro? I have a bad taste in my mouth with anything Craftsman though. I have probably 80% Craftsman hand tools and I usually get annoyed at how they fit fasteners. Its fine if things are cooperating, but when they are not I really wish they fit tighter or had the flank drive like Snap On.
 
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Maddog3355

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Feb 25, 2018
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If your just a diyer I don’t see any need for snap on but if you have the money go for it.
 

454ragtop

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Mar 24, 2008
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Carver, MA
Why would you say that. I have multiple cans of PB Blaster and have dealt with more than my share of rusted/frozen fasteners.

Because around here, you have no shot of removing rusty brake lines with an open end wrench, line wrenches are a must.
 

WAPat

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Jan 13, 2015
Messages
113
Location
Snohomish, WA
I have a set of SK that I like. There is also a vise grip made for flare nuts that works very well.
 

m6z

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Sep 13, 2019
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Location
Missouri
you can find the full set of Sunex flare nut wrenches for $35 shipped. They'll do the job.
 

The Fall

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Mar 20, 2016
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419
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Austin, TX
I have a complete set of Snap-on and SK flarenut wrenches. I can't tell the difference between the two in terms of tolerance and strength. I got the Snap-on set when I was taking auto-classes, so they were 50% off. If I didn't get the discount, it'd be a total no-brainer: SK all the way.
 

The Fall

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Mar 20, 2016
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By the way, you don't have to live in the Rust Belt to know what shot brake lines look like. Any of the cars from Corpus Christi (or other Gulf Coast cities) we see (all are pre-1980) are crusty. We often have to break out the double flaring kit for new hard lines on the rear axle. Order of operations: PB Blaster, SK or Snap-on flare nut wrenches, Vise grips, Blue-Point double flaring kit.
 

Mr. Tool

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Jan 26, 2013
Messages
1,866
I also have a SK Super Chrome 6 piece flare wrench set as well as a USAG 5 piece flare wrench set and a Urrea 3 piece flare wrench set.

All three sets are great to use, good quality, durable, etc. so you can't go wrong with either set.
 
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Wamsutta

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Jan 8, 2014
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Amarillo, Texas
Nothing wrong with buying one single wrench at a time. When you buy one single wrench, you're getting a quality wrench - instead of buying a whole set of mediocre half *** ****.
 

vssjim

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Aug 5, 2007
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McLean Va.
No SK/ Ideal Corp /Western Forge and Sears fell out along time a go. Circle C is a great online only seller of SK and other products. Circle C Supply is a great seller shipper and give good prices on what they sell.
 

Tripn88

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Sep 2, 2014
Messages
80
Location
Houston
I still use my USA craftsman raised panel line wrenches professionally. Havent found a need to step up to anything else. Granted they are a little uncomfortable compared to other brands but they get the job done. Just my 2 cents.
 

rcbk00

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Sep 10, 2018
Messages
107
Location
NJ
I have both Snap-On and Cornwell flare nut wrenches. I bought them off Ebay for decent prices (I got a steal on the Cornwells). The Snap-Ons are in the garage box and the Cornwells are in the travel bag. They're very similar in terms of fit and finish. Both brands have great grip on crusty fittings. They're head and shoulders above the Pittsburgh/Husky/Cobalt/Vise Grips I was using before. I wouldn't hesitate to buy either again, but I'd also take a look at SK. They seem to be available for pretty cheap on Ebay. Personally, I only buy newer, smooth, chrome wrenches- I tend to steer clear of the older satin or raised panel wrenches. Whatever the case, it's relatively easy to find good deals on Ebay.
 

yrly

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Jul 23, 2006
Messages
691
The current craftsman ones are OK if the price is right
 

Yarpo

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Feb 11, 2017
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1,355
Location
Minnesota
Anyone use Wrights?

I've been eyeing a set for awhile now and I'm torn between wright and Snap On. I know snapon makes fantastic wrenches but I'm extremely happy with my Wrights and wouldn't mind supporting the smaller company. Looking at the 744s, curious if they're satin or chrome as most 700 series sets are satin I think?
 

cliftonbros89

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Jun 2, 2015
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Location
Missouri
I have SK flare nuts. They work really well. Definitely cheaper than Snap On. Great quality. I’ve been very satisfied with them.

Now when it comes to flare nut crowfoot wrenches I go with Snap On and Martin. They’re both made great.

I also have Martin 12 point flare nut wrenches. They’re awesome!
 

Fulcrumz

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Joined
Nov 11, 2019
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Location
Fulcrum
Well I got through almost every line this weekend without them, but one is being stubborn. I would love to get Snap-On for something like that since it needs to fit well, but damn. $315 for the set, or $48 for the back ordered single wrench I need. That is a hard pill to swallow.

Do I pony up for the Snap-On and deal with the pain once? Is there another brand to consider that is good quality, and preferably made in the US? Any other trick to get this fitting to cooperate without buying new tools?

I am all for getting new tools, but I have a car to build so dropping over $500 (for the SAE and Metric sets) is hard to do. HELP!

Sean

You can regularly find the Snap-on metric wrenches on eBay (like new) for around $100 a set. Hard to beat that. Case in point: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-On-Wrench-Flare-Nut-Line-Wrench-Set-RXFMS-Metric-9-21-Excellent/184067473876?hash=item2adb46c1d4:g:WfsAAOSw-zxd5XtU

I have no information about that seller, obviously. I see these local all the time --- sometimes $150 for both metric and sae. Worth looking around.

Also, can you just use a crow's foot? I almost stopped using my Snap-on line wrenches after picking up my flare nut socket set.
 
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