Line/Flare Nut Wrenche Suggestions

[hangfirew8]

Not putting down SO's tools at all, but I have to LOL at those diss'ing SK's as spreading, not as good... have they even held one? One made past 1970?

I've never even seen the straight SK's. Just how old are they, raised panel era? OK I went through a few catalogs and a Google Image search, no current cataloged items, the only thing I see is decades-old eBay pictures. I too would avoid these. Anything SK before SuperKrome finish should be considered a collectible not a recommended tool.

I have both Metric and SAE up to 1"x1-1/8", one set I built one at a time and one I just bought as a set. Yes they are shorter wrenches. That makes them easier to maneuver but less leverage. I haven't had any problem removing flare nuts with them. Sometimes the brake line twists off because it's stuck in the flare nut, but that's not the wrench's fault.

As for the tool truck demo- how does one get a Snap On wrench on a rounded-off flare nut? Seems to me if they fit so great, it'll be hard to get on there.

 

[rlitman]

...As for the tool truck demo- how does one get a Snap On wrench on a rounded-off flare nut? Seems to me if they fit so great, it'll be hard to get on there.

Their flare nut wrenches use off corner engagement (like Flank Drive). So if you're putting it onto a nut damaged by a hexagonal wrench, I could see it fitting.

 

[cliftonbros89]

They're not super slim but I might suggest these. Made by Martin. I got a few from my Matco guy and ended up having him get more for me. They're pricey but I think they're well worth it.



I use them on tractor hydraulic lines and hoses all the time. I have a set of SK 6 point flare nut wrenches that I like as well. However, having the 12 point option is really nice too. Especially since when it comes to hydraulic fittings it's not uncommon to have sizes larger than 1". I also have a few 12 point Armstrong flare nut wrenches as well. But over all I'm really satisfied with these Martin wrenches.

 

[Scotty_B]

Lots of votes for Snap-On, and I can't disagree.

HOWEVER, the other tool truck brands do a good job, too.

Line/Flare nut wrenches need to fit super tight and not spread when torque is applied. That's the main thing. Also, I'm not so sure that you need to buy a whole set. Buy only what you need. Line/Flare nut wrenches are necessary when you have soft metal that easily strips – such as brake lines.

If you only own cars that have 10mm nuts on their brake lines, then there's no need to buy such wrenches in other sizes.

I bought a used Matco flare nut wrench. No problems getting lines loose.

 

[MShaw]

I have SO for my sae wrenches. I got a good deal and bought Hazet metric ones. I have not used the Hazet enough to form an opinion. The major difference is that Hazet changes to 12 point at a smaller size than so.

 

[48548]

What I have and use... if I could only afford one set, crows feet it would be... I have complete sk and snap on just lazy on the pics.