Flare wrench preference

[AV tinker er]

Which type of flare wrench do you prefer?

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Just bought a nice set of SK flares from Ebay. Loving them so far. Glad to get the China Craftsman set out of the box.

 

[shockwave]

I like the flare nut open end combo the actual open end is a lot thicker

 

[JDon99]

Fwiw, I have had a USA Cman double flare set for years and never had any issues with them. I can see where a flare end/open end would be handy, but not necessary.

 

[mailpup]

I have both types but for no particular reason I end up using the double flares most of the time. I probably use crowfoot flare nut wrenches at least as often due to limited swing room for the regular wrenches. For example, rack and pinion steering fittings, master cylinder fittings that are hard to reach and fuel line fittings that are buried and hard to reach. Occasionally, I use flare nut sockets when called for.

Gearwrench has some interesting flex flare nut wrenches that I don't have but am interested in.

 

[gsingh]

I have the snap on double flare. Haven't let me down yet.

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[Pumpman1968]

S-K double flare. Along with my Williams sealed head ratchets and Lang brake caliper press, one of the best investments I have ever made.

 

[ken w.]

I prefer the open end / flare end , but I mostly have the double end flares.

 

[Murphy4570]

I have Snap-On and Craftsman Professional (No longer made, old USA full polish stuff) double flare wrenches. They work well.

 

[jim1987]

Double flare. No reason for open end/flare combo. Plenty of open end wrenches in my box.

I have the gearwrench flex ratchet wrenches in metric. I haven't used them. And truth be told, I pray I never I never have to lol

 

[lotsoftools]

I have double flare, but I'd prefer the flare/open end. Once you break the fitting loose with the flare end you can just turn the wrench around and use the other end to unscrew it a little quicker.

 

[AndrewV]

Double ended flex head, ratching flarenut wrenches.
Only way to go.

 

[Ncognito]

Open end/Flare combo because time is money.

 

[zkling]

Double. They are more cost and space efficient. IMHO.

 

[bonneyman]

Bonneys. Double flares and double ratcheting flares for access, and box/flare combos for torque.

 

[crewchief888]

i have mostly double ended flare, one or 2 selected flare/open end.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

SK are the ones I use currently.

 

[jim1987]

Bonneys. Double flares and double ratcheting flares for access, and box/flare combos for torque.

Ok gotta ask, how/where would you use a box end for a line connection and not get it stuck?

 

[Strouty]

I am guessing that people who are against the flare/open end combination have never used good ones. My Snap on set is awesome, the open end is very rugged, probably twice as thick as a standard open end. They are nice, once it is broken loose, you can use the open end. That is my opinion.

 

[tbaggz]

I can get the SK 3 PC set for 19.99 new at a local tool store .sae or metric.I found a SK 3/4-7/8 used and bought the other 3 to start a good set.also have some bonney 12pts.I prefer SK dual flares.

 

[absolutelybillsmood]

The SK are nice wrenches

 

[jim1987]

I am guessing that people who are against the flare/open end combination have never used good ones. My Snap on set is awesome, the open end is very rugged, probably twice as thick as a standard open end. They are nice, once it is broken loose, you can use the open end. That is my opinion.

No for me its once its broke loose, you can just about spin it off with your fingers, or a normal open end will work just fine.

 

[sberry]

The Cman I got are a close second behind their ratchet as a most pitiful tool pick. Those 2 pieces about ruined Sears. There are some Protos in there somewhere.

 

[atwageman]

Double flares. SO and Wright for me.

 

[Bruce57]

I have Mac, Matco, and Snap-on. I like the snap-on best for size and fit.

 

[dede2897234]

If going the Snap-on route, I would purchase double flare end wrenches. It would cost significantly more money (even if purchased used) to purchase the flare/open end models. I could see the benefit (as others have pointed out) after loosening a fastener with the open end. However, the additional cost does not outweigh the benefits when someone owns a separate combination wrench set.


Dave

 

[Frosthy]

I am guessing that people who are against the flare/open end combination have never used good ones. My Snap on set is awesome, the open end is very rugged, probably twice as thick as a standard open end. They are nice, once it is broken loose, you can use the open end. That is my opinion.

Once a fitting had been broken loose, I just switch to a normal Snappy wrench (or stubby) to wind the thing loose. Or vice versa, finger-tight with normal open end then torque with a line wrench. Cheaper for me, since I have to buy less line wrenches and I already have a need for the regular combo wrenches.

I have one 7x8mm Proto Industrial Flare Wrench.. It didn't impress me much as far as fit w/fittings. I prefer the Snap-On Wrenches over everything else that I've seen/used (Matco, Craftsman, HF, Proto).

 

[Gareth68]

If I wrenched for a living, I would likely own a combo set.

As it is now, I have a set of snap on double flare wrenches and take those plus a regular combination wrench under with me.

The convenience of not having to grab two wrenches simply was not worth the extra expense to outfit myself with the combo set.

 

[90zcar]

This is one of those things where I'd say snap-on hands down. Not even really an opinion.....more like the truth!


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[southalabama]

I've got s-k flare wrenches. Got a 5pc and 3pc set. Both in sae.

 

[rodbender]

When you use your tools to make a living its Snap On combo's

Dave

 

[1950mercury]

I have double flares. If i had to buy all over agian i would gwt combos forsure. Most people who have used both prefer combos.

 

[lauver]

I use the double flares most of the time and their shorter length and offset are usually an advantage.

But there are times when a single flare (vintage Proto) or a crowfoot flair is required for their longer length or short but deeper reach. Unfortunately, these last two options were not listed in the above survey.

 

[AV tinker er]

No for me its once its broke loose, you can just about spin it off with your fingers, or a normal open end will work just fine.

If you ever work on any stainless to stainless you usually can't just spin it off

Seems most of you guys that have answered are automotive and you guys seem to prefer the double flare wrenches. I'm curious of those that answered a combo preference work in an automotive or industrial environment?

Thanks for all the input thus far.

 

[bonneyman]

Ok gotta ask, how/where would you use a box end for a line connection and not get it stuck?

Takes alot of skill and finesse.

 

[AV tinker er]

Takes alot of skill and finesse.

And a sawzall?

"Well sir I replaced your master cylinder but your brake lines are shot!"

 

[rtole]

I have the gearwrench double ended flex heads in metric and standard. I love them. They have not rounded a single fitting or bleader yet. I love the flex head. I have not used a flare/open end combo.......sounds usefull........bit the gearwrench flexy flairs have been all I have needed. I even gave away my craftsman rp flare wrenches after i got the gearwrench ones. Have not needed anything else.

 

[jim1987]

Takes alot of skill and finesse.

Evidently:

 

[Ncognito]

I'm curious of those that answered a combo preference work in an automotive or industrial environment?

Thanks for all the input thus far.

Experience:
Twenty years spent repairing knitting machines in a textile mill. A tool pouch only holds so many tools. A flare/open-end combo was a space saver.

Automotive DIY since I was old enough to know which end of a screwdriver to hold.

I’m currently earning my A.A.S. degree in Automotive Systems Technology. Once I begin working flat-rate, I won't have time to spend grabbing multiple wrenches just so I can R&R a hydraulic line and the flared end is painfully slow to use after the fitting has been broke loose. A flare/open-end combo will be a huge time saver.

 

[90zcar]

I'd rather have double ended flare. I already have a full regular wrench set so why not grab one of those. This way say for metric I only have 5 or so flare wrenches



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