HF Quinn Flare Nut wrench set experience?

[tarbellb]

In the market for some flare / line wrenches

Well aware of the common suggestions, Snap-on, SK, other high dollar options. And for good reason if you are wrenching on lines often, but I dont.
I will likely use a few different sizes 3 times in the next 20 years

______________________

So does anyone have real world, hands on experience with the new QUINN Flare wrenches? ($35/set)

(please pipe down if you want to bash the older HF flare wrenches)

With all of the positive reviews on multiple Quinn products recently I wonder if this might be another winner?

 

[Zewnten]

Buy them, try them return them, if you don't like them?

That being said I bought a set of Craftsman USA (which in my sacrilegious opinion is probably of equal quality to decent taiwan stuff) line wrenches at a pawn shop and they're not very good. I don't know if they're spreading or if the brake line nuts are the minimal size or both but they seem to slip fairly easily with any torque.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Cheap flare nut wrenches are not a good idea. I would rather use a quality open end, then a cheap flare nut. I had nothing but poor experiences with gearwrench and HF flare wrenches.

 

[ajchien]

Buy them, try them return them, if you don't like them?

This has become my rule when buying from HF. If I need a tool from HF, I buy it the day (or the week) before I use it. I do not buy a HF tool because “That could be useful in the future”.

That way, if the tool breaks on the first day (pliers, bottle jack, hammer, thumb ratchet, hydraulic table etc.), it can be returned easy. If the tool works poorly and is in general a pain in the **** to use, I’ll also return it.

If it works decently, I’ll keep it (impact sockets, tool cart, rolling seat, corded angle grinder etc). If I keep it I’ll try to use it as much as possible before the warranty expires. It’s always disappointing to have a tool break shortly after the warranty period expires (floor jack, battery chargers, tire inflator, clamps, flashlights etc).

Unfortunately, poor quality consumables (sandpaper) should just be thrown In the trash, but for some reason I tend to keep stuff like that around for a while.

My wife relies on reviews for a lot of stuff she purchases. I’m skeptical of reviews, especially for tools. I think people’s expectations on tool performance varies too much.

 

[FMB4]

My flare nut wrenches of choice are vintage (non-polished) Craftsman.

 

[M635_Guy]

I'm sure they're fine, and agree with the others that a "buy and try" approach is probably worth it.

FWIW, I have a Carlyle set that works great (currently $72). My set is really tight to the fastener - no slop that I can discern. My set is 9-18mm on the five wrenches - I'm probably missing it, but don't see that listed on the NAPA site

I can't say I've put massive amounts of stress on them, but no issues with opening or rounding at all.

 

[snyder]

I have a nice set of snap on line wrenches and with a really tight fitting I have had to clamp vise grips around the jaws to prevent slipping.

 

[toolenthusiast]

I will likely use a few different sizes 3 times in the next 20 years

Then don’t waste your money…?

 

[Mr_B]

vise grips make the best line wrenches lol .
4LW 7LW 4WR 5WR 7WR 5CR 7CR can do great job when fit .
The carlyle are fairly decent, buy them via eBay UK as can be under 30 bucks, napa usa is ****** us on carlyle pricing .
snapon used line wrenches always worth having was a nice tidy set on eBay last week

 

[tarbellb]

Then don’t waste your money…?

Can you elaborate

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Can you elaborate

For that use level, why even buy them? For $35 I'd rather just buy the common sizes you need used on EBAY from a reputable brand.

 

[tarbellb]

For that use level, why even buy them? For $35 I'd rather just buy the common sizes you need used on EBAY from a reputable brand.

That makes some sense, what are the common sizes you find on modern vehicles?

 

[M635_Guy]

That makes some sense, what are the common sizes you find on modern vehicles?

Are you wrenching professionally or on your own cars?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

OE sizes, mostly 10/12mm, 11mm rarely, mostly euro. Aftermarket fittings you want 3/8, 7/16 for flare nuts. Yes, sometimes even when it's a metric bubble flare fitting, metric thread pitch, the head is somehow 3/8. IDK nobody consulted me. Double flare fittings are usually, usually, SAE pitch and head size. For me, it's all brake line tube nuts. Unions I hold with vice grips or an open end.

I have a "full" set to 19mm, no clue why the exist above 14mm / 9/16. The wrenches are like 6" long, what 18mm nut are you breaking free with a 6" long wrench? Even if it was loose enough, what does that even fit? Power steering hard line? Well, odds are a 6 point wrench ain't fitting on a rack anyways to get that fitting out. Thus, flare-nut crowsfeet. IMO this is the ideal if you want DIY flare nut stuff. Buy a set of those 8-19mm, and 1 or 2 single wrenches for brake fittings. Honestly a 10mm and a 3/8 and 7/16 are all one "really" needs in the flare nut wrench dept IMO. I only do automotive.

 

[Kscardsfan]

OE sizes, mostly 10/12mm, 11mm rarely, mostly euro. Aftermarket fittings you want 3/8, 7/16 for flare nuts. Yes, sometimes even when it's a metric bubble flare fitting, metric thread pitch, the head is somehow 3/8. IDK nobody consulted me. Double flare fittings are usually, usually, SAE pitch and head size. For me, it's all brake line tube nuts. Unions I hold with vice grips or an open end.

I have a "full" set to 19mm, no clue why the exist above 14mm / 9/16. The wrenches are like 6" long, what 18mm nut are you breaking free with a 6" long wrench? Even if it was loose enough, what does that even fit? Power steering hard line? Well, odds are a 6 point wrench ain't fitting on a rack anyways to get that fitting out. Thus, flare-nut crowsfeet. IMO this is the ideal if you want DIY flare nut stuff. Buy a set of those 8-19mm, and 1 or 2 single wrenches for brake fittings. Honestly a 10mm and a 3/8 and 7/16 are all one "really" needs in the flare nut wrench dept IMO. I only do automotive.

The large sized ones saved my *** when I started working for the state department of agriculture and occasionally had to drive a Kenworth around. That truck had a minor power steering leak and it was a 3/4 or 18mm or something. I’ve yet to pick up a line wrench above 1/2” since as I recall.

 

[tarbellb]

Are you wrenching professionally or on your own cars?

My own vehicles, which is all 2003 and newer. And im at the point if something major happens im likely to
have the pros take care of it.


The immediate need is to replace fuel filter on a 2003 Tacoma, easy access, could just be using vise grips or my pliers wrench.

 

[anndel]

I have the Snap-on flare nut set and they are a good snug fit over the Tektons I also have. The Tektons even rounded off a brake bleed nut a little. Since the SO set didn't have 8mm I bought a Proto wrench and it's a good fit like SO's. I've seen a lot of people use adjustable wrenches carefully and it worked well.

 

[afazz]

In my opinion this depends a lot on your location. If you live in Cleveland Ohio you have two options: Snap-on flare nut wrenches or a brake line flaring set. If you live in Texas or SoCal, you can get away with almost any brand.

 

[Davefr]

I have the Snap-on flare nut set and they are a good snug fit over the Tektons I also have. The Tektons even rounded off a brake bleed nut a little. Since the SO set didn't have 8mm I bought a Proto wrench and it's a good fit like SO's. I've seen a lot of people use adjustable wrenches carefully and it worked well.

???? Tekton doesn't offer flare nut wrenches. Are your's old?

 

[Davefr]

Buy them, try them return them, if you don't like them?

That's silly IMHO. If they don't perform then you have a much bigger problem. When it comes to flare nut wrenches buy known good brands because the consequences of a tool that doesn't perform can ruin your whole day. Just like buying cheap taps. SO, SK and CM RP are top shelf.

 

[VolvoRyan]

For your own vehicles, do some recon and see what sizes you need..... then buy as high end wrenches in those sizes. Cheap ones will bite you hard.

-Ryan

 

[M635_Guy]

It looks like the Tekton flare nut wrenches aren't available any more - a quick search for "flare" on their site didn't yield any results and the set is shown as "Not available" on Amazon (searching that set number on the Tekton site didn't work either). But the design shown is exactly what I was trying to avoid when I was putting a set in my cart:

Not fully-around the fastener, and doesn't look as optimized for applying force to the flats vs. the corners as the other two I'll mention.

My Carlyle set surrounds the fastener more completely, and clearly shows the flat-optimized design:


The Quinn appears to have the same design:


The Quinn looks to have a lot of material around the head, similar to my Carlyle (and my one tiny Snap On - lol), so I kinda doubt there's a lot of likelihood of a problem with spreading/opening. So the question is slop/tolerance. My Carlyle set has virtually none, which certainly helps avoid a rounding scenario. If the Quinn set is nice and tight, it sounds like it would be fine for what @tarbellb is doing. Easy enough to test on the bench & return if they're sloppy or weak.

 

[nafterclifen]

I recently needed a flare wrench and didn't have any so I purchased this this SAE/Metric set from HD. Willing to bet they'll do the job for you and save you some money over HF or any other options that you might find/consider.

Husky SAE & MM Flare Nut Wrench Set (6-Piece) HFNW6PC - The Home Depot

Husky's 6-piece flare nut wrench set is a must have to complete the DIYer or professional's tool box. The unique design of the wrench head allows the tool to be placed over tubing, such as brake or fuel

www.homedepot.com

 

[Mr_B]

Yeah poor ones tend be worse than having none at all .
easy enough source 2 or 3 sizes you likely use on brakes used snapon off eBay or swap meet etc .
If want a full set the carlyle not worst performing & likely found cheap enough if keep a search on it .
Only time I use some bigger sizes is on diesels and hydraulic equipment in scenario of nothing else fitting well or allows faster turning once fitting loosened .
Is one of those tools most home gamers can get away not owning and one of those tools that only worth owning very good ones .

I would suspect the quinn set looking at them likely same oem or at least same taiwan forging foundry as the carlyle !
I may take some brake nuts in my pocket next time near HF and test the jaw fit ...

 

[mrjaw14]

I would consider buying used snap-on, SK etc. They aren't that much on ebay, especially if you buy singles and piece together a set. My reasoning is this: If you don't use them often then how will you develop a feel for whether the wrench is spreading, or the nut rounding? You can round a nut even with the higher quality line wrenches, but I would rather be able to trust the tool is less likely to spread and eliminate one variable of things going bad, leaving my own inexperience with the tool as the other, to give the best possible outcome. Cheap tools are easy to blame when things go wrong vs me being the cheap tool lol

 

[M635_Guy]

I recently needed a flare wrench and didn't have any so I purchased this this SAE/Metric set from HD. Willing to bet they'll do the job for you and save you some money over HF or any other options that you might find/consider.

Husky SAE & MM Flare Nut Wrench Set (6-Piece) HFNW6PC - The Home Depot

Husky's 6-piece flare nut wrench set is a must have to complete the DIYer or professional's tool box. The unique design of the wrench head allows the tool to be placed over tubing, such as brake or fuel

www.homedepot.com

Honestly, those don't look very well-made to me. Not very crisp-looking in the photos and maybe less beef around the head:
The pix on the HD website aren't great though.

 

[XJSuperman]

I bought the cheapy HF sets awhile back for working on my early 80s toyota project here in Iowa. The lines are in decent shape and the wrenches are working just fine. If I had paid more attention to the design between them and the Quinn, I might have grabbed the Quinn? I went the cheap route and so far I haven't been bitten. We'll see how that goes.
Whomever commented on the location citing Cleveland and Texas.....you nailed it. That comment had me dying. I grew up in that area and its exactly why I never owned a line wrench set til now...I always just broke them off because they never came loose willingly. I've had a flaring kit for years now, and just bought line wrenches a month ago.

 

[M635_Guy]

FWIW, what lead me to Carlyle was a couple old threads here and others elsewhere that were very positive, including from guys that were using them professionally. I didn't see much in the way of eBay bargains on SO, and SK pickings were pretty slim too at the time. I wound up finding a Carlyle set here on GJ classifieds.

 

[qqzj]

The carlyle are fairly decent, buy them via eBay UK as can be under 30 bucks, napa usa is ****** us on carlyle pricing .

Got a link? Thanks.

 

[nafterclifen]

Honestly, those don't look very well-made to me. Not very crisp-looking in the photos and maybe less beef around the head. The pix on the HD website aren't great though.

You could be right. But they did the the job that I needed them do without issue. Neither a regular wrench nor a Knipex plier wrench were able to break the line loose even after using heat and penetrating oil. Probably won't use them again for years so the price and performance were both great and that's even if I never use them again.

 

[cmandp]

Those Husky flare wrenches look the same as my Gearwrench set I have. So far they've been working pretty well on my crusty S10. At some point even the best flare wrench isn't going to work and you'll have to use vise grips/heat or even resort to cutting it off and remaking the line. That's where I'm at with the S10 but I'm replacing the lines so I give a try but don't spend too long before resorting to cutting.

 

[Mr_B]

Got a link? Thanks.

I can only find singles at moment, assume supply shortage as most of ratchets seem out of stock as well, one seller was carpartsinmotion .
Lardy1 purchased a ratchet or 2 off another seller but can't remember the seller, guessing it was aceparts_uk as have used them myself before .
Is a lot of UK motor factors selling NAPA lines cheaper than USA NAPA !

 

[conn1987]

the usa blackhawk flare wrenches are very nice i got the sae/ metric set for like 70 bucks recently

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

I seen them at hf and there probably worth a try. Only cheap ones i have had decent luck with is the ones that are thicker ones like those quinns. I now have a set of sk but to tell you the truth an old craftsman raised panel wrench works pretty good. Here in Michigan there always rusty by the wheels and the wrenchs almost never fit and the vice grips get used.

 

[ThePostman]

I have that husky set of flare wrenches, and they have been good for quite some time, but it doesn't cover everything. I have purchased some used snap-ons that fill the holes, or go above such as 19 and 21mm. That being said, I also have a set of sk metric flare crows feet, I have no complaints with those, and sometimes, that's all that will fit. I service all makes and models.

 

[Steve_P]

I use a 19mm flare nut wrench on the oil drain plug on my car- it has the oil temp sender wire in the center. I guess I could use an open end, but... I have SO and SK in metric flare nut, and old Craftsman RP for inch. I've never had an issue with the Craftsman RP

 

[lardy1]

I can only find singles at moment, assume supply shortage as most of ratchets seem out of stock as well, one seller was carpartsinmotion .
Lardy1 purchased a ratchet or 2 off another seller but can't remember the seller, guessing it was aceparts_uk as have used them myself before .
Is a lot of UK motor factors selling NAPA lines cheaper than USA NAPA !

That aceparts_uk is where I bought at least one ratchet. I have two I bought from the UK but can't remember if they came from the same seller.