I've read through some threads on flare nut wrenches, and seen repeatedly see that these are something you don't cheap out on. I'm looking to get both metric and sae sets, and am trying to decide between used snap on or new sk. I can get both sets of used snap on for $200 or I can get both new sk sets for about $120. Which should I get?
Flare nut sets
- Thread starter SuperXero
- Start date
American Locomotive
Well-known member
I'd probably get the SK.
vssjim
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have SK sets plus lots of others and they work very well
Htscheg
Well-known member
Ive had my Snap-On set for years... works great
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Snap-on. No doubt there when it comes to flare wrenches.
bcradio
Well-known member
Agree, Snap-on is the one you want to go with here.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
As others have said, snap on is probably the best choice for anything flare.
Mikeske
Well-known member
I used both the SK, Snap-on, Mac and Bonney flare wrenches. Snap-on is the best of the current flare wrenches and if I had a choice I would lean towards the Snap-on set if money is not a problem. SK has a fine set but they still are not as good as the Snap-on are.
My personal flare nut wrenches are Bonney in both standard and metric and I had the set for over 30 years.
My personal flare nut wrenches are Bonney in both standard and metric and I had the set for over 30 years.
The Fall
Well-known member
SKs and a can of PB Blaster. Let'em soak. You'll still have enough left over for vise grips.
I have Snap-on, Matcos, Protos and SKs. I can't tell the difference, although I wouldn't go with anything other than truck brands or Bonney with flare nut wrenches (although I'd get SK again if starting over). It really comes down to how corroded the line is. All the cars we work on are 1975 or older. A number have migrated from the Rust Belt or Gulf Coast. Running new lines isn't uncommon.
I have Snap-on, Matcos, Protos and SKs. I can't tell the difference, although I wouldn't go with anything other than truck brands or Bonney with flare nut wrenches (although I'd get SK again if starting over). It really comes down to how corroded the line is. All the cars we work on are 1975 or older. A number have migrated from the Rust Belt or Gulf Coast. Running new lines isn't uncommon.
steveo3002
Well-known member
get the snap ons
Finky198
Well-known member
Snap on here as well. With Zero complaints...
Still using my old Craftsman/Proto/New Britain. I don't have a "set". No metrics yet, either.
For old rotten, rusty ****, pair of dykes and a six point socket, if that won't work, torch and Visegrips.
I really would like some Snapon or something for soft fuel line fittings.
For old rotten, rusty ****, pair of dykes and a six point socket, if that won't work, torch and Visegrips.
I really would like some Snapon or something for soft fuel line fittings.
bcradio
Well-known member
Hard to say. I got both sets of mine for $70 each used
Dave455
Well-known member
Well it's certainly true that you want decent flare nut wrenches, the cheap ones are little better than using an open ender!
Having said that, I'd consider SK to be 'decent'. Maybe not quite as good as Snap On in respect of flare but wrenches (Snap On do these really well) but pretty good!
Personally, I have some Snap On. I got them new on a deal, and probably wouldn't have otherwise, but liked them so much I bought a couple more. I once had to remove some coolant hoses from a machining centre. They had pretty aluminium fittings but had suffered the usual corrosion over the years, then someone had mullered them trying to shift them with an open ended wrench. The Snap On flare nut wrenches took them straight off, so paid for themselves on that one job (if I'd had to cut the hoses the replacements would have cost far more than the wrenches).
I've got other flare nut wrenches by Britool (old British made ones - in BS sizes - which actually see an awful lot of use owing to the number of BSP threads around) and a couple of Hazet, which also seem good.
Given the choices the O.P. faces, I'd probably get the S.K. they are good tools and good value, but I doubt you would regret either purchase.
I've seldom regretted money I've spent on tools, and then only when I've bought something that wasn't quite good enough and ended up replacing it, thus spending far more than buying decent in the first place!
Having said that, I'd consider SK to be 'decent'. Maybe not quite as good as Snap On in respect of flare but wrenches (Snap On do these really well) but pretty good!
Personally, I have some Snap On. I got them new on a deal, and probably wouldn't have otherwise, but liked them so much I bought a couple more. I once had to remove some coolant hoses from a machining centre. They had pretty aluminium fittings but had suffered the usual corrosion over the years, then someone had mullered them trying to shift them with an open ended wrench. The Snap On flare nut wrenches took them straight off, so paid for themselves on that one job (if I'd had to cut the hoses the replacements would have cost far more than the wrenches).
I've got other flare nut wrenches by Britool (old British made ones - in BS sizes - which actually see an awful lot of use owing to the number of BSP threads around) and a couple of Hazet, which also seem good.
Given the choices the O.P. faces, I'd probably get the S.K. they are good tools and good value, but I doubt you would regret either purchase.
I've seldom regretted money I've spent on tools, and then only when I've bought something that wasn't quite good enough and ended up replacing it, thus spending far more than buying decent in the first place!
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Trey T
Well-known member
SO is my pick
Dave455
Well-known member
And here are the wrenches in question.
The Snap On are a very well thought out tool. The open end is much thicker than a regular open ender, so that gives you one option, and you also have a really grippy, tight fitting flare wrench on the other. If you prefer, you can get a double flare style too!
The old Britools are about the toughest flare nut wrench ever made. Size for size they are about twice the weight of anything else. Wish I could get more (I have these in both British Standard and SAE) but you seldom see them in metric.
Bear in mind that you need different sized flare nut wrenches, compared to regular wrenches. I hardly ever use 9mm or 11mm normally, but use these sizes a lot in flare nut!
The Snap On are a very well thought out tool. The open end is much thicker than a regular open ender, so that gives you one option, and you also have a really grippy, tight fitting flare wrench on the other. If you prefer, you can get a double flare style too!
The old Britools are about the toughest flare nut wrench ever made. Size for size they are about twice the weight of anything else. Wish I could get more (I have these in both British Standard and SAE) but you seldom see them in metric.
Bear in mind that you need different sized flare nut wrenches, compared to regular wrenches. I hardly ever use 9mm or 11mm normally, but use these sizes a lot in flare nut!
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928'er
Well-known member
No experience with SO, but I've had a SK set for years - did everything I've asked of them - no complaints.
Don't even consider the HF set - bought a set in a pinch when I needed a 7mm. Started to spread on first use they might as well be made of paper mache . Took them back for a refund - total junk.
Don't even consider the HF set - bought a set in a pinch when I needed a 7mm. Started to spread on first use they might as well be made of paper mache . Took them back for a refund - total junk.
Sk for new and Snap On for used. I pieced together a set of mixed used/NOS Snap On wrenches on ebay in both SAE and metric for @150 a couple of years ago. But it took me a few months to find the right deals to do it.
For a one shot deal, $200 doesn't seem too bad for the Snap On's though.
If you need them now, pick up the SK.
For a one shot deal, $200 doesn't seem too bad for the Snap On's though.
If you need them now, pick up the SK.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
We think alike. SnapOn would remain My First choice in buying flare nut wrenches today.
If I could get Windows 10 drivers for My time machine; I would zoom back in time and buy full sets of new Bonney.
Hats off to the guys who are lucky enough to snag deals on NOS Bonney on the net.
I wish I had a set of these in metric.