Help me pick a Crowfoot Wrench Set

[AJHD]

I'm in the market for a crowfoot wrench set.
I can't decide between a standard open end set or a flare nut end set.
Which would you buy? Which do you own/use? Why?
Please refrain from just saying "buy both". I don't want both. I want one set that's going to work ~90% of the time.

These will be used for general automotive repair use.

Ignore the brand and price for the purpose of this thread. Snap On is only being used as an example.

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

 

[dagofast]

I bought these. The flare is better for me and I love the built in universal joint.

 

[Marsim]

I use both types at work (aircraft mechanic). I only use the flare nut ones occasionally, and that's because it's necessary. Regardless of which you end up with, but a mid grade or higher name brand. I've had the cheaper ones spread open on multiple occasions.

 

[GeoBruin]

The fact is, the regular set will always "work" (meaning you will be able to get the wrench on the fastener/fitting from the side) while there are (admittedly few) situations where you may not be able to get a flare net wrench on the fastener/fitting in a tight spot.

That said, in all the situations where you can use a flare nut wrench, the experience is much improved in my opinion.

All that said, I have the Tekton set of regular wrenches and my only complaint is I wish they came larger.

 

[AJHD]

I will be honest, I rarely use the open end of any wrench I've ever owned. I have both combination and flare nut Snap On wrenches. If it's not something I can use a socket on, I use the box end almost exclusively or double box end wrenches.

I'm just not sure which crowfoot style would fit or otherwise be must useful. I definitely won't be buying a cheap set either. I don't want anything to round or spread.

I find it interesting the flare nut set from Snap On is like $100 cheaper than the regular open end style.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

If I were to own only one set, they would be flare nut. Typically standard crowfeet don't have the gripping strength to break free anything stubborn/rusted. On a bolt is one thing, but make it a tube nut rusted in the threads, and onto the pipe, regular crowfeet don't cut it. And my standard crowfeet are Proto ASD. Not like I'm using garbage. Actually my flare nut crowfeet are Sunex. Maybe I am then?

Unless one needs these for tube nut applications, I would advise torque adapters if you want to get wacky accessing obscured stuff. The idea of a crowfoot with a ratchet as an "any angle of attack" open end doesn't work as awesome as you'd think. It's just bulky and annoying to use. I like crowfeet on short breaker bars, like an 8" bar in 3/8. Those let you do some interesting stuff, but it's still only 3 additional angles of open end access. And how often are you really in that small of a working radius, and you can only use an open end, and the open end can actually break it free, etc.

 

[rmack898]

I have both types and I don't need to use them often but when I do, I reach for the regular crow foot first. 90 percent of the time I need a crows foot its because its in tight spot and the bulk of the flare nut crows foot can't get in there.
There have been times where nothing but the flare nut type will work.

If I only had one choice it would be the regular type.

 

[KnurledNut]

I want a Wrightgrip crowsfoot set. Maybe some day...

 

[Fedwrench]

I want a Wrightgrip crowsfoot set. Maybe some day...

You probably would see that before long pattern wrightgrip combination wrenches.

Back to the subject at hand. To me, I only really use crowfeet when removing/installing power steering hoses on a steering gear. I use flare type to loosen the old line and for final tightening. that is of course if the hoses aren't being replaced. If the hoses are being replaced , then its cutoff and I use a socket to remove the fitting. I use regular crowfeet as super stubby open end wrenches to start hose fittings.
I think if I could only have one set, it would be the flare type.

 

[Walkers]

I have been working on cars, trucks and various equipment in both amateur hobbyist, as well as professionally (depends which type you are talking about) for a long time. It has been such a rarity to need a crows foot that I have never purchased a set. Tractor hydraulic valves were one. I think I have 2 sizes. They were used on those specific items, and now they sit and collect dust. Unless you really need them, I would spend your money elsewhere, and just buy individuals as needed. YMMV

 

[CS454]

Flare Nut has served me quite well. Own both.

 

[rsanter]

I use the flare far more in the sizes that match up with brake lines and such.
I guess in the smaller sizes I go more to the flare.
Bigger sizes I do tend to use the open

 

[neersighted]

My use for crowfoot wrenches is a bit different than most -- I primarily need them for precision torque on suspension components. As such, I've gone all-in on the Tekton sets which have worked very well for this purpose. I've supplemented it with flare wrench singles for the sizes I need (which are much less than the open ends -- I've needed about 75% of the sizes I own at one point or another).

 

[fatfillup]

I find it interesting the flare nut set from Snap On is like $100 cheaper than the regular open end style.

That is odd. Never noticed that before and I am on snap on's site most everyday

Given your parameters, and the fact that you have flare nut wrenches already, I would get the open end. I say this because when someone cones in the store for a specific crowsfoot size, they most often want open end.

 

[ecotec]

The regular open end ones should be your first set. They are used more often. They are an occasional use tool.

I have both.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I think the ones I bought were flare nut. I felt the reason to to get the flare nut was to help keep them from slipping off.

Now that I think about it, I might even own both. You tend to forget about stuff you don't use that often. If you buy one set and need a certain size of the other, just purchase the single size crowfoot.

 

[ecotec]

I think the ones I bought were flare nut. I felt the reason to to get the flare nut was to help keep them from slipping off.

Now that I think about it, I might even own both. You tend to forget about stuff you don't use that often. If you buy one set and need a certain size of the other, just purchase the single size crowfoot.

For years the only crowfoot wrenches, that I owned, were the 13mm, 14mm, and 15mm off brand ones from a serpentine belt tool set.

When I started to go to estate sales… they started showing up.

I have only used crowfoot wrenches a few times ever.

 

[NUTTSGT]

For years the only crowfoot wrenches, that I owned, were the 13mm, 14mm, and 15mm off brand ones from a serpentine belt tool set.

When I started to go to estate sales… they started showing up.

I have only used crowfoot wrenches a few times ever.

I bought a metric set for a transmission QuickTime bellhousing bolt. When I bought it, I sai heck with it and got a SAE set too.

 

[71firebird400]

I went Snap-On for flare nut Crowsfeet; I was able to get them off eBay brand new for a lot less than on the truck. For regular open-ended I grabbed some Icon's and have been happy with them.

 

[engineer2]

I have the Astro-Pneumatic flare nut set. They fit nice and tight. No complaints.

 

[Walkers]

My use for crowfoot wrenches is a bit different than most -- I primarily need them for precision torque on suspension components. As such, I've gone all-in on the Tekton sets which have worked very well for this purpose. I've supplemented it with flare wrench singles for the sizes I need (which are much less than the open ends -- I've needed about 75% of the sizes I own at one point or another).

What methodology do you use to arrive at precision torque on a crow foot?

 

[neersighted]

What methodology do you use to arrive at precision torque on a crow foot?

Fixed non-ratcheting torque wrench head with the tool at 90 degrees to the torque wrench.

 

[ecotec]

I bought a metric set for a transmission QuickTime bellhousing bolt. When I bought it, I sai heck with it and got a SAE set too.

So… as I was saying… I started out with 3… then I started going to estate sales… now I have this… and I have barely used any of it.

 

[Walkers]

Fixed non-ratcheting torque wrench head with the tool at 90 degrees to the torque wrench.

Ahh, I was thinking you would have to calculate center point distance, yada yada. Sounds much easier that way. I guess, sometimes you just need a different point of view.

 

[Steve_P]

All I have are the flare nut style; I only use them a few times a year, but I've never had them not get the job done. Mine are old KD and Craftsman (same) made in USA. I also have torque adapters, but that's another topic.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

I have the Craftsman SAE and Metric standard open end from Lowes, decent price. Used it once without success keeping it just in case.

 

[riceaterSLC]

So… as I was saying… I started out with 3… then I started going to estate sales… now I have this… and I have barely used any of it.

i like your red bit holder!

i have a set of metric snap ons. on the rare occasion i've used them they've been wonderful time savers. as others have said they're great for torquing hard to reach suspension components.

if i were to get another set today i'd go with tekton or icon (for a home-gamer/not professional use).

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Flare nut, mostly. I bought three 12 point Snap on ones, when I found them, engraved, for $1 each, in the o2 sensor size. The shop had open end ones, as well as cut down wrenches (used once), but I have always been able to get a stubby wrench where I needed an open end. Flare nut ones worked better in the rust belt, imhe.

 

[GophersGarage]

I bought a set like this 20 years ago to help undo distributor timing bolt on VW cars. Since then so handy to have.

 

[ItsNemo]

I still don't understand the love for crowsfoot wrenches here...I bought a set years ago and have used it all of once and that was just to try it, it didn't actually end up working. It's basically the worst way of doing anything.

 

[71firebird400]

I still don't understand the love for crowsfoot wrenches here...I bought a set years ago and have used it all of once and that was just to try it, it didn't actually end up working. It's basically the worst way of doing anything.

You don’t use them if you have another option; you use them when nothing else works. Great for power steering lines at the rack, undoing shifters from the bottom of the car and getting up behind stuff inaccessible by a ratchet or wrench. They are not something you need on every car or every project.

 

[infinite97]

I still don't understand the love for crowsfoot wrenches here...I bought a set years ago and have used it all of once and that was just to try it, it didn't actually end up working. It's basically the worst way of doing anything.

Tell me you don’t work on hydraulics without telling me you don’t work on hydraulics

 

[infinite97]

No issues with my US-made Tekton 3/8” sae and metric sets. Have a big Amazon / china 1/2” set that hasn’t given me any issues, either.

 

[ItsNemo]

You don’t use them if you have another option; you use them when nothing else works. Great for power steering lines at the rack, undoing shifters from the bottom of the car and getting up behind stuff inaccessible by a ratchet or wrench. They are not something you need on every car or every project.

That's what everyone says...but I've done shifters and power steering racks and all sorts of other automotive f**kery and never ran into a situation where it was the only option.

 

[uncwstudent]

I used one on a VW inner tie rod end. None of the tie rod removers could fit over it properly to break it loose. Bought a Tekton crowsfoot wrench, used an extension, and it worked like a charm. It was the only way to get it off without dropping the subframe again.

I hate Volkswagens.

 

[iagsxr]

That's what everyone says...but I've done shifters and power steering racks and all sorts of other automotive f**kery and never ran into a situation where it was the only option.

Next time the hydraulic hoses on the mast of my forklift need replaced I'll have you come over and show me.

Oh, you'll eventually be able to do it without crowsfeet. It will just be funny to watch.

Back to the original question. I don't even actually own a set, but know exactly where they are in my dad's box. Have never ran into a situation where a flare set was imperative. Hydraulic hoses/hard lines and fittings into valve bodies are mostly what I use them for.

 

[speed bump]

At home I have an astro crowsfoot metric set that I have only used doing serpentine belts on FWD cars.

Overall not really a critical tool. Shoot I would be tempted to buy singles from snap on when I knew a job needed a specific one.

 

[racinfarmer]

Fixed non-ratcheting torque wrench head with the tool at 90 degrees to the torque wrench.

You still have different effective lengths applied using this method. Not as "extreme" as you would if you ran the CF straight off the end.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

You still have different effective lengths applied using this method. Not as "extreme" as you would if you ran the CF straight off the end.

How? The center of the fastener and the center of the drive wrench on the lug aren't any further apart.

Although on a ratcheting torque wrench care needs taken to make sure you're really at 90 degrees and not ratcheting your way to 60.

 

[silkman]

To the OP: Just buy the size you need individually before the job you intend to do, one or the other type.

Problem solved with 1/10 of the cash spent.