Flare wrenches versus open ended?

[HandyManny]

Relying on only past experience of not needing a tool is generally a poor method.

They definitely have a purpose, and the cheaper ones "work fine"....until they don't. Best to have a quality set that fits and doesn't spread EVEN WHEN THE FITTING IS TIGHT. Judging the tools performance on an easy fitting is of little value.

"i always use adjustables" What can I make of this statement? That adjustables always work? Certainly not. Instead it means "I have not encountered enough variety of situations....yet"

It's kind of like an old timer telling someone "10mm wrench is useless, I've never needed one" Or a imported car owner telling a small engine mechanic that 7/16 is useless or not needed. They both simply lack enough worldly experience regardless of age.

Hmmm I take it that your comment must be directed at me? I may have only been an A/P regularly for a few years and off/on years later, but while flying the bush in Alaska, Canada, SE Asia, and Rhodesia there were too many times when I had no access to a regular mechanic nor a good working facility. Luckily as a pilot during these times I was also an exprienced mechanic too and often had to solve my own mechanical problems by myself, so I'm sorry if you think the oldtimer with very REAL world experience isn't worth anything here.

Now let me just say that I'm not advocating not using flare wrenches when they are needed. Yes I do realise their purpose. I'm saying that I have removed and installed many flare connections both in plumbing and in hydraulic lines and that often times all that was ever needed to complete the job were two adjustable wrenches. Other times Flares were the tool to go too. And I can say that I have never rounded or damaged anything with a good adjustable wrench when I've used one. I'm not saying that they are the best tool or only tool either.

 

[diesel research]

It wasn't to suggest anything of rounding, but simply a reminder that as you already know, there are quite a few times an adjustable simply does not fit.

I use adjustables often on large JIC/AN type fittings, but in many smaller tubing situations such as oil lines or brake lines, such a tool doesn't fit. Then what?

Just as I correctly assumed earlier, you simply haven't came across that situation (much). It isn't a challenge or attack, just an observation and followup analogy to put things into perspective.

In a similar story, I personally find screwdrivers highly useless for me. I lack enough experience needing them. Not only for a lack of screws in my line of work, but with the addition of a cordless. I can see where others would find them more useful though...

 

[ajchien]

I've been putting vise grips over the flare end to help it grip the nut more tightly.

I had never thought or this. Has anyone else done this?

 

[MattT]

But they could also be useful anytime you have to swing a bit of torque and open ended is the only other option that has access. Does that sound about right?

You're unlikely to encounter many regular fasteners that you can't fit a box end on but can use a flare nut. And if you did I doubt you'd see any increase in yield torque over an open end on relatively tough regular fasteners. Flare nuts are designed to deliver torque to soft fasteners without rounding but they aren't capable of higher torque without spreading.

Slight aside but if I had to choose between flare nut wrenches and crowsfeet I'd go with the crowsfeet. They'll get pretty much anything a wrench will plus a bunch of fasteners they won't.

 

[Outlawmws]

I've been putting vise grips over the flare end to help it grip the nut more tightly.

I had never thought or this. Has anyone else done this?

If you need it, and have space for vise grips, use this type and skip the flair wrench. These grip 2 of three surfaces TIGHT and the third isn't going anywhere either. I have a small pair for these and they have bailed me out a couple of times.

 

[uart]

If you have a stuck nut, sometimes tightening a bit till it cracks ("loose"), then loosening will do the trick.

Yep, that's something I like to practice every time I come across a nut with a left hand thread.

 

[Old Donn]

Have two sets of line wrenches, SK and C-Man RP. Which ever one fits best on the fastener is the one I go with.

 

[wafrederick]

Have to be careful of some brake line fittings,are special fittings and will have to reuse them.Basically drill the old line out of the fitting with a drill.Heating the fitting carefully with a torch does have to to be done too if the fitting will not move at all.the 18mm flare nut wrench is used a lot on power steering hoses on GM,Chrysler and Fords a lot.The newer vehicles,mostly metric fittings using 10mm,12mm,some 13mm and 14mm on brake line fittings.

 

[HandyManny]

Just as I correctly assumed earlier, you simply haven't came across that situation (much). It isn't a challenge or attack, just an observation and followup analogy to put things into perspective.

In a similar story, I personally find screwdrivers highly useless for me. I lack enough experience needing them. Not only for a lack of screws in my line of work, but with the addition of a cordless. I can see where others would find them more useful though...

If we are going to assume stuff then here's something for you regarding you mension of experience:

Most prefessionals are BUSY, they usually don't spend all day long during the work week hours chatting on forums. Most professionals that I worked with also didn't place too much emphisis on COO of tools like many here do. Until a few years ago I didn't have all day to post on forums because when I was working I was actually working. I'm retired so I have time to spend here offering my advise. So as far as you stating that professionals here do this stuff daily, then I say this - I serioulsy doubt that we have too many genuine professionals here on this forum who do this stuff enought to know, like I said, no professional tech that I know has time during the work day to be posting all day long on a forums. That's not to say that we don't have professionals here, I'm sure we do. I just take it with a grain of salt when I see posts from people who are obviously way younger than me giving advise like they know it all and those posts are during working hours. Yes, it does make me wonder my friend.

 

[diesel research]

If we are going to assume stuff then here's something for you regarding you mension of experience:

Most prefessionals are BUSY, they usually don't spend all day long during the work week hours chatting on forums. Most professionals that I worked with also didn't place too much emphisis on COO of tools like many here do. Until a few years ago I didn't have all day to post on forums because when I was working I was actually working. I'm retired so I have time to spend here offering my advise. So as far as you stating that professionals here do this stuff daily, then I say this - I serioulsy doubt that we have too many genuine professionals here on this forum who do this stuff enought to know, like I said, no professional tech that I know has time during the work day to be posting all day long on a forums. That's not to say that we don't have professionals here, I'm sure we do. I just take it with a grain of salt when I see posts from people who are obviously way younger than me giving advise like they know it all and those posts are during working hours. Yes, it does make me wonder my friend.

Work hours?
I am a 3rd shift tech with revolving weekends. Thank you. Yep, 24/7 shop.

What should make you really wonder, is the assumption an adjustable would be even close to suitable for most situations calling for said flare wrench. It often simply won't fit. You would have learned that within 2weeks.

 

[mudflap]

Yep, that's something I like to practice every time I come across a nut with a left hand thread.

Me too.....LOL