How often do you use a crowsfoot?

[3 at 8]

Just wondering how often you come across the application to use something like this: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00992880000P?prdNo=8&blockNo=8&blockType=G8

 

[benny42]

I had a steering rack failure that required those, so i bought a set.
Now i use them all the time for all kinds of stuff. Wish i had them
years ago.

 

[DanCo]

I use them for air fittings on Mack trucks, and on older Volvos

 

[fordbroncodave]

you really need one if you ever have to remove the oil pump from a john deere model A. lots of plumbing lines inside that crankcase.

the obvious is rack and pinion setups. they are very common to use on those.

 

[wafrederick]

I use them on power steering lines and have been handy.I have the metric set from Harbor Freight and will be getting a SAE set tommorrow.SAE set will be a Carquest set,being delivered since trhe nearest delivers.

 

[fflintstone]

I got a complete craftsman set years ago. I almost never use them, but when you need them they are handy.

 

[mdbeck1]

I've got a set that I picked up a couple years ago. I think I've used them once or twice. In my younger days my Dad had a set that we would use once in a while.

Crows feet are one of those tools that you don't usually use often but when you need them they are the only thing that will work...

 

[Charles (in GA)]

After you have acquired your basic tools, crowfeet are in that list of "don't need, but sure will be helpful someday"

Charles

 

[Jay H 237]

I use them enough to justify them, only need them a few times year but they are indispensible when they are needed. Last used mine to remove the ****** cooler lines on my 68 Mustang and also lube oil lines on the head of an Alco 244 in an RS3 locomotive.

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

I use them enough to justify them, only need them a few times year but they are indispensible when they are needed. Last used mine to remove the ****** cooler lines on my 68 Mustang and also lube oil lines on the head of an Alco 244 in an RS3 locomotive.

Indeed....

 

[Jim C.]

I've owned a standard set and a metric set for years. I use a couple of the standard sizes on a seldom occasion, and don't believe that I've ever used any of the metric sizes.

 

[srmofo]

I use my flare nut crows feet (think line wrench in crows foot style) once a week at least. honestly though its almost always a 16mm or 18mm. power steering lines are the most common.

I dont own a set of regular crows foot

 

[therealwormey]

they are like a weatherhead socket,never need them but when ya do your sure glad you got em

 

[KWashburn]

A rule of thumb that I learned growing up was if you have to use it more than 3 times, you need to buy your own. That can turn into quite an account with the Tool Truck.

 

[rsanter]

I used to use them all the time when working under cars
now Im a desk jocky so I use them once a year at best

bob

 

[mdbeck1]

A rule of thumb that I learned growing up was if you have to use it more than 3 times, you need to buy your own. That can turn into quite an account with the Tool Truck.

That's a better rule than a friend of mine. If he EVER needed a specialized tool he bought it. He also had a rule that if he bought a tool it had to be a Snap On. The tool truck guys loved him.

 

[Wakefield]

Overhead valve lawn mower engine rocker arm/lash adjust?

 

[Stuey]

I ran into a situation where I needed them and didn't have any. Sooo I went out and bought a set when they were on sale at Sears. Only used them once since!

 

[gordsgarage]

Depneds on the type of work you do and the extend of your tool coleection. I own a set of crowfoots and use them very seldom. However I also own a set of short, standard, and long wrench sets along with flex sockets, universal joint sockets and wobble extensions. I will always use anything other tool first and then go to the crowfoot as a last resort. However when you need a crowfoot you need it.

 

[vssjim]

I use the flare nut crowfeet about ten to ine over open end style but if you work on stuff the racks or flare nut lines you need them. I don't know how long it would take to take off power steering lines with out them.

 

[RLRRLRLL]

i bought metric and sae sets at napa after doing a job that if i had them it may had been a whole lot easier....i have never used them...yet.

 

[Goinlow]

I've used them once since last year. Taking off a powersteering line on a jeep Cherokee. 18mm.

 

[afazz]

When it comes to the flare nut style, are is Snap-on the clear winner or are other brands worth buying?

 

[srmofo]

When it comes to the flare nut style, are is Snap-on the clear winner or are other brands worth buying?

My standars are all cornwell and my metric are SO. I havent had an issue with either and both are pretty close to the same size, cornwells just a little thicker but has never caused a clearance issue

 

[Quik208]

I was looking a getting a set in the near furture. What do you use more often regular set or flared?

 

[_CY_]

had a full set of Mac crowsfoot ... never used em, so sold em

 

[lbgradwell]

After you have acquired your basic tools, crowfeet are in that list of "don't need, but sure will be helpful someday"

...only need them a few times year but they are indispensible when they are needed.

This is what I was thinking when I picked up brand new SAE & metric sets of SK flare nut crowsfoot sockets last week off kijiji for $50.

They are there for when I need them!

 

[dankicksass]

In large sizes they tend to be more affordable and take up far less toolbox acreage than a wrench. When I had them, I used flare crowsfeet often.

 

[Theloniousmonk]

When it comes to the flare nut style, are is Snap-on the clear winner or are other brands worth buying?

SK makes a fine flare set... fairly cheap too, for what you get in terms of quality (same as cman flair set w/ "K" stamping iirc)

 

[Seanbev24]

I use larger non-flare crowsfeet quite a bit when doing alignments. If a 22mm tie rod nut doesn't want to come loose, I use a long 1/2" flex ratchet with an adaptor and crowsfoot. Much better than smashing my elbow on the rack when the nut breaks loose with a wrench.

 

[sberry]

Rarely use them but its hard to getting around it when you really need one.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Very rarely. But the times you need them are the times nothing else will work and they're neccessary for that.

 

[back2class]

This is one of those tools where you can kill 2 birds with one stone. Get the crowfoot sockets in the falare nut style. With a small 3/8 breaker bar you have a great set of line wrenches in addition to the crowfoot sockets. I own a set, but if I had some decent flare crowfeet sockets they would have no real use.

 

[crewchief888]

most of the time i use the open ended type for "tight spots" in and around hyd hoses and tubelines.
flare nut types i dont use often except for the occasional hp fuel line on mechanical fuel inj pumps.

i think all my crowsfeet, flare, line sockets and weatherhead sockets are all SO, and 3/8" dr

 

[The Home Depot Answer Man]

Hey Mike:

I can say it's been quite a while since I have used a crowsfoot wrench.
With all the new offset, ratcheting box wrenches and the new Gearwrench sets available, my crowsfoot wrenches gather a lot of dust. But they are still a valuable tool to have in your tool box. If you work on olds cars like I do, keep
them handy. You'll be using them sooner or later.

Mike, The Home Depot Answer Man

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Come to think of it, i've used mine more for valve adjustment than anything else..

 

[Goinlow]

I know people who use them quite often for loosening lines that are loose but not loose enough by hand.

 

[padronanniversary]

rarely. for me, its one of those damn i wish i had it tools that i use once every year.