Flare nut and crowfoot flare wrenches

[signcrafter]

My flare nut wrenches are a mix match of some good and some cheap. I have been using them more and want to upgrade to some better full sets. There one of those tools that you need when you need it and you need good ones.

For flare wrenches I have a snap on set of SAE I bought used a while back so that I'm good on. But need a good set of metric. The snap on metric are 326 bucks so don't really want to spend that much. So what are the next best options? The SK 6 piece set is about 142 on zoro. Gearwrench is 55-60.

And since I'm filling in my flare wrench sets I think I want to pick up some crowfoot flare nut wrenches also. I did a silverado brake line replacement a while back and I think they would have came in handy at the ABS module where all the lines are right next to each other. These I won't use very often but still would like to have them on hand. What is a good set to get in these?

 

[plinker]

I use flare wrenches more then the flare nut crowfeet, so I'd still consider Snap-on for those, used or otherwise. That said, I do have a Carlyle set that has done ok for the most part. I also have 10mm & 12mm Snap-on open end/flare end wrenches.

For the flarenut crowfeet, I've got a mix of Danaher brands as a pieced together set, also the S-K's my brother had. I've used the Snap-on before (coworkers), they are probably the best overall, but I'd go S-K for as much I use them (which isnt often, but often enough to want a decent set).


FWIW, for GM brake lines, I find an angle wrench, stubby & regular OE crowfoot work out well for me, Unless we are having to reuse lines (rarely) I usually just cut the old ones off and use a socket to remove the nut.

 

[Professional Tool User]

For occasional use, the regular old USA made Craftsman ones work fine if you can get a hold of a set. Other options include USA made Tekton. Any professional grade brand like Proto or Wright should have both the regular open end and the flare nut ones. Any of the above options are worth buying if the price is reasonable.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Skip GW, SK is at least decent. IME SO grips the best, but when it slips, it will round the corners off. SK will spread and slip, leaving the fastener is better shape. I bought GW, then SK, then snap on. Buying snap on first, would have been cheaper.

My flare nut crowsfeet at sunex, my open ends are proto ASD. So long as you can keep either properly engaged with the fastener, they grip well.

 

[The Fall]

SK or used Snap-On. PB Blaster.

It all comes down to your region. Old stock USA CMan will do the job if you're in the Southwest. I've lived in CA and TX. I only occasionally see Rust Belt cars or stuff from Corpus Christi. It's a totally different experience working on that stuff. You can spot it a mile away -- cancer all over the fenders, rocker panels and cab corners. Don't even need to look at the plate to know what you're getting into. Cars from Central TX and CA, if they're maintained, 15 years or 15 minutes old, the fasteners turn easily.

 

[demarpaint]

I went with Stahlwille for flare nut wrenches. They're excellent, I ordered them from Amazon.de.

 

[Dave455]

I’ve pretty much come to the conclusion that Flare Nut Wrenches are tools I just can’t manage without. I use them on probably 80% of the jobs I would have used an open ender on years back, and it’s the open enders that I hardly use now.

Unfortunately, quality seems to be everything with these, and the Snap On do seem to work superbly well. I’ve removed brake lines that have been mullered by an open ender, then rounded further with a poor quality flare nut wrench, and the Snap On has still shifted ‘em!

I have a set of Snap On in metric, and for inch sizes (by which I mean British Standard BSP) I have some old British made Britool. These are probably the ultimate, heftier than the Snap On, but not made for some years and probably unobtainium in the U.S. I’ve also recently acquired a Hazet for my road box. Most of their stuff is decent but haven’t tried it yet.

Think hard before you invest in a “set”. While I tend to use many sizes on Imperial sized fittings (everything from plumbing to industrial and machine shop use), I use very few in metric. Probably 90% of the time I’m using 10 and 11mm. I’ve occasionally used a bit bigger, but I don’t think I’ve ever used the biggest I own. Depends what you work on of course.

 

[Gunfixr]

I have an inch set of the old USA craftsman, purchased new back then. I had to cut one in half to do something way back when, and finally replaced it when sears was having the going out of business sale. The new one is China, I know, but I still have both pieces of the old one.
I don't have any metric, haven't needed them, but been thinking about adding them to have, since I now have equipment that's going to be metric.
So, following this, to see about what to get.
I don't have any crow foot.

 

[joe_padavano]

I have a variety of flare nut wrenches; C-man, Snap-on, Proto. The Snap-On crows foot flare nut wrenches fit more tightly than the others and seem to be my go-to set for removing stubborn flare nuts.

 

[bob15]

Another option besides SK and Snap On is Proto and Bonney (I prefer the Bonney).

 

[oldwino]

Although most of their stuff is pretty good, stay away from Sunnex flare nut wrenches. total ****

 

[bonneyman]

Another option besides SK and Snap On is Proto and Bonney (I prefer the Bonney).

+1 for Bonney. I never knew I needed flare wrenches until I got my Bonney's. Now I can't imagine working without them. Same goes for their angle wrenches.

 

[anndel]

Snap-on.

 

[Ralf11]

Snap-on, and I don't have to move to the southwest!

 

[c5greg]

I, like you don't use my crowfoot flare nut wrenches often. I went with the Asto sets. They work fine and have held up good even with loaning them out to a couple of ham fisted friends. At about $50 for a 15pc set (metric) in a case its a pretty good value.

 

[Mark_17]

There have been a few threads about flare wrenches. Snap on always comes out as number 1, and SK as number 2

 

[Ricky Joe]

I frequently use the 17mm size working on Mercedes; also 12mm and 14mm. Until recently my Herbrand set has sufficed. I am now waiting for a Snap-On eBay purchase to remove a stubborn turbo sensor unit. The Herbrand just spread, without rounding the sensor.

 

[n8n]

For occasional use, the regular old USA made Craftsman ones work fine if you can get a hold of a set. Other options include USA made Tekton. Any professional grade brand like Proto or Wright should have both the regular open end and the flare nut ones. Any of the above options are worth buying if the price is reasonable.

I beg to differ. The old USA made Craftsman flare wrenches are made of poop and fail, and the only way I'd use them is if I had enough room to clamp a vise-grip over the head. Really, you might as well just go straight to putting the vise-grips on the flare nut and save your money.

This was actually one of my early lessons in "some tools are better than others" I think I warrantied 3-4 of the same size metric flare wrench because the one common size that my old VWs used would spread faster than (redacted).

Now of course my SAE set is Snap-On and my metric set is S-K, and I do so little "real" car work anymore and my cars are for the most part no longer 20-30 year old beaters as my income has increased. (except for the Heep, which never seems to fail in such a manner that it's more expensive to fix than it's worth, which you wouldn't think would be difficult, but s**t just doesn't break on it.)

 

[rustyzman]

Best, tightest fit, for me is Snap on. I have had Craftsman, Plomb/Proto, Bonney, SK, other various no names and Snap on. The SK set is a nicely made set, but not as good a fit as Snap on, rounds off much easier. The Bonneys are very nice, but I only have the larger sizes (refrigerant sizes) so no specific comparison there. Midwest salt/rust is brutal and many times getting a fitting off was imperative and replacement of the line/fitting was not an option (various reasons beyond my control...).
Get them used on ebay and you can find some great deals.

 

[The Fall]

I have Snap-On, SK, Matco (USA) and Bonney -- complete sets in either Flare nut wrenches and/or crowsfeet. They all work very well. I do have Bonney crowsfeet in SAE and they are as good as everyone else says they are.

 

[spyerx]

I have SK and Proto metric flare wrenches. They both work well.

 

[Al Borland]

I have SK, Wizard, and HD Husky Line wrenches. Don't like/use the SK, (early 80s vintage)they spread and slip/pop over the corners. I loan them to others for my amusement. The wizard ones are okay, but i usually use the HD Huskys, as those are in the garage box and I'm lazy. The SAE ones are older and might be Stanley pr Danaher made, the metric are definitely Apex.
Crowsfeet, Mixed bag. Some japanese Metrics, Some american SAE, and some unknowns.
They have thier uses.

 

[Ricky Joe]

Update: Snap-On did the job. No spread, took some torque, but job done! I almost bought Armstrong, but splurged for used Snap-On on eBay, $26. The Armstrong was $6.

 

[rsanter]

I have used my snap on flare nut crows foot with a 3/8 breaker bar to use like a wrench when I need the head at an angle. Worked great

Perhaps buy the crows foot set and be done if you are not using them all the time

 

[rustyzman]

Update: Snap-On did the job. No spread, took some torque, but job done! I almost bought Armstrong, but splurged for used Snap-On on eBay, $26. The Armstrong was $6.

Nice! It will last a lifetime.
I bought them in small batches & individually as I needed them, slowly building the whole set.

Their Crowsfeet are worth it as well, but really consider only buying the ones you need unless a great deal comes along.