Flare nut wrenches.

[dirtmister16]

hey guys maybe you can help me out in deciding what i need for flare nut wrenches.


i have all standard up to 5/8" i probally could use a couple more in standard.


i am actually looking for metrics more this time. what i am looking into is the snap on flare nut wrenches that have the heavy open end on one side. not set on them 100% but i am open to suggestions if someone things other styles or brands hold up better.


what are common sizes that i should get. if i remember right its 18-20 are common for fuel filters on gm. im sure ill need a 10mm for brakes. but what else should i think about?


i have a 89 ford truck, 95 chevy pickup, my dads 06 chevy pick up, 94 firebird,56 gmc. and other bigger trucks as well just to give you a idea of the range of things i might use them on.

 

[franzdom]

I have those types of flare wrenches and it's very difficult to recommend anything else.

 

[dirtmister16]

see i have a couple of standard in the snap on style and i really like them. thats why i thought to get the metrics in snap on.

still could use some info though on common sizes for the metrics if anyone knows.

 

[crewchief888]

only metric i've ever really needed was a 17mm

 

[Canadian Cowboy]

The common sizes for vehicles in general are 10,12,13,14 (also can be used if a 9/16 flare nut is worn) 15,16 (although 5/8" is the same as 16mm) 18,20(GM) 19mm is the same as 3/4". larger sizes as well if you are doing A/C repairs.

CC

 

[dirtmister16]

thanks for the info guys. my snap on dealer will be back i think on the tenth ill have to see what kinda deals are coming up. maybe ill be lucky and be able to get some on sale.


i can forsee a few dollars being spent here but it is worth it specially for flare nut tools. don't want them spreading and making the job even harder.

 

[scarrylarry]

Could someone enlighten me to exactly what flare wrenches are used for and why they are needed opposed to other wrenches.
Many Thanks
scarrylarry

 

[JASTECH]

I have them in Snappy & Mac. I like the beefy open ends, never slipped so far. I will be doing a brake conversion to HD disk with Hydroboost on my Scout II's and new fuel lines to boot.

 

[OEXL16B]

what i am looking into is the snap on flare nut wrenches that have the heavy open end on one side.

Those are one size per wrench. You gotta buy twice as many that way.

 

[dirtmister16]

OEXL16B you see exactly why thats good don't ya! haha.

scarrylarry the reason you need to use a flare nut wrench on tubing or lines is that the fittings are made from softer metal at times and are easy to round off. a regular wrench even a tight fitting one will round off most of these if they are tight. i a flare nut wrench grasps more of the fitting and a good one will not spread it will bite and help you turn out the fitting.

the ones i am looking for also have a open end on them for fast turning after you have broken it loose. but it is a very strong and heavy open end, designed so you can use it to break it free should the need arise.

hope that explains it and i didn't confuse you.

 

[McFarmer]

Could someone enlighten me to exactly what flare wrenches are used for and why they are needed opposed to other wrenches.
Many Thanks
scarrylarry

Mostly used on brass line nuts. They have an opening to allow them to be slipped over the line and then up on the flare nut. Like a box end with one land missing, better grip than a regular wrench on easy to round brass.

 

[crewchief888]

Could someone enlighten me to exactly what flare wrenches are used for and why they are needed opposed to other wrenches.
Many Thanks
scarrylarry

are they needed?
on a daily basis no

mine mostly get used on older 4x4's where years of rust, and tons of mud have reduced PS hose fittings to a rusted mess, and the occasional numbnut that already replaced a hose and waaaaayyyy overtightened it

why not just replace that rusted out POS hose you may ask?
ive sometimes had to hit a pick-n-pull yard to try to find a combination of hoses and fittings that will work with what were trying to swap, or use to try to find a usuable, (but incorrect) hose at a local auto parts store.

also may need one on a rusted/ corroded/ overtightened HP fuel inj line on an offroad diesel.

 

[shoturtle]

Proto has a very nice set of flare nut metric wrench that are as nice as the truck brands.

 

[SMKS]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=158860&showall=1

More info in this recent thread.

I'm sure if you perform a search you'll find lots of other threads with recommendations.

 

[OEXL16B]

Could someone enlighten me to exactly what flare wrenches are used for and why they are needed opposed to other wrenches.
Many Thanks
scarrylarry

The main reason is they're not as strong as regular nuts because they're hollow. The flare nut wrench spreads the contact force over all the flats of the flare nut instead of just two flats like a regular wrench would do.

 

[redwrench60]

Get the Snap-On ones with the thick open end on one side and flare nut on the other and don't look back. They are tough and well thought out.

 

[scarrylarry]

The main reason is they're not as strong as regular nuts because they're hollow. The flare nut wrench spreads the contact force over all the flats of the flare nut instead of just two flats like a regular wrench would do.

are they needed?
on a daily basis no

mine mostly get used on older 4x4's where years of rust, and tons of mud have reduced PS hose fittings to a rusted mess, and the occasional numbnut that already replaced a hose and waaaaayyyy overtightened it

why not just replace that rusted out POS hose you may ask?
ive sometimes had to hit a pick-n-pull yard to try to find a combination of hoses and fittings that will work with what were trying to swap, or use to try to find a usuable, (but incorrect) hose at a local auto parts store.

also may need one on a rusted/ corroded/ overtightened HP fuel inj line on an offroad diesel.

Mostly used on brass line nuts. They have an opening to allow them to be slipped over the line and then up on the flare nut. Like a box end with one land missing, better grip than a regular wrench on easy to round brass.

OEXL16B you see exactly why thats good don't ya! haha.

scarrylarry the reason you need to use a flare nut wrench on tubing or lines is that the fittings are made from softer metal at times and are easy to round off. a regular wrench even a tight fitting one will round off most of these if they are tight. i a flare nut wrench grasps more of the fitting and a good one will not spread it will bite and help you turn out the fitting.

the ones i am looking for also have a open end on them for fast turning after you have broken it loose. but it is a very strong and heavy open end, designed so you can use it to break it free should the need arise.

hope that explains it and i didn't confuse you.

Hope I didn't miss anyone who answered my question on flare wrenches,THANKS A BUNCH !!!!! I am know enlightend.
Gratefully
scarrylarry

 

[e30bradley]

Can't beat snap on if you will use them enough to justify the price.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

The most common flare nut wrenches I've used are 10, 14, 18, and 20. I also have a 14mm flare nut crowsfoot for fuel filters.

 

[andywander]

The main reason is they're not as strong as regular nuts because they're hollow.

Never seen ANY nut that wasn;t hollow....

 

[coldfusion21]

Hollow when loosening it? Maybe hollow when disassembled but other then tubing everything else has a good amount of outward pressure due to the thread angle.

 

[dirtmister16]

thanks for the sizes everyone! my snap on man will be in on the 10th. so i just waiting to see him and if he has any deals on them.

i won't be using these everyday, but i don't cheap out on tools i know make the job 10x easier and save me time. when i need the right tool i don't want to be down. my dad has some metric and they are fine but when i need them they are miles away, so its time to get a set.

 

[franzdom]

I don't have the cars you mention but I use 11mm a LOT.

 

[crewchief888]

i've bought most of mine used at swap meets, pawn shops, and flea mkts.

SO, matco, vintage SK, and mac

dont think i paid more than $4-$5 each.


but i wasnt looking for compete matche sets either

 

[dirtmister16]

what i have now in standard are.

snap on(works great)
s-k(the one i have isn't great, so i use the blackhawk)
black hawk(these grip really well)
craftsman(not so great but ok )

based on my standard ones, i like the snappy design and the way it works. to be honest i don't think id buy a set of S-K flare nut wrenches if they perform like the one i have.



so far we have basicly 10 mm-20mm from what people have said so far. sounds to me like that should be every size one need for most any job really.