Line/Flare Nut Wrenche Suggestions

[turndemwrenches]

Gday,

I'm looking for some input before buying a set of these - working on trucks and boats I often find need for these in tight places.

So I'm looking for a quality set that is nice and 'slim' - not too thick in the wrong places and made of quality steel.

When I really need these - I really need them - so price not a consideration. Kind of hard to compare the options via online photos and no dealers in my area...so would really appreciate some input thanks!

 

[LXCam]

After putting myself thru several year of four different big name sets I finally bowed in and bought SO in both metric and SAE. Best choice I ever made.......finally. I'm no SO fan boy like the majority here but there are a few items they make no one else can come close too, these are one of them.

 

[Strouty]

Hands down the best that you can buy today is the Snap On ones!

With your budget being open ended, I would buy the combination ones with the open ends, see what I did there?

 

[bob15]

Snap On, Proto, Bonney, SK

 

[jdlong]

I'll second what LXCam is saying. Anything less spreads and/or is not a precise fit and rounds seized flare nuts.

 

[pajibson]

X3 on the SO. I've had several brands & the SO is the best out there. I also recommend the combination ones. I have the old fashioned ones in Darn it when I bought metric I went with the combination and it's just nice to be able to flip i t around to open end once you break the nut loose

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[ihateminimumwage]

Snap-on and SK are the two big players that come up for flare nut wrenches. I have the SKs, and also a Gearwrench flex set. No issues with either so far.

 

[JohnDeere1]

Snap on or SK

 

[bixxjs]

I've got a mixed collection of line wrenches,the Blue point is an awesome tool,I think it's made by Martin handtools.The Armstrong ratchet flare nut wrenches really speed up stripdowns.

 

[Strouty]

That is a nice collection of wrenches!

I had to make a wrench the other day to fit a situation on my bucket truck.

 

[ex-x-fire]

The older MAC ones are good too. I wouldn't be worried about slim or 12 point ones (unless you have 12pt fasteners).

 

[Strouty]

Or no room to move the wrench!

 

[65k10]

Hope adding a question here is ok. I though SK was something of a middle of the road company when it comes to tool quality. What makes their line wrenches special? I already have Snap-On line wrenches for my main tool set, but wanted some line wrenches for my service truck set. I'm not sure I can stomach buying another set of Snap-On ones and I have been curious if SK could fit the bill.

 

[LXCam]

Here's another one to think about and yes they actually work very well. They're made to cintch down tighter as you get on it. I bought a set of these at SEMA a couple years back and they've come in handy a couple times. They're great for the track box.

 

[Strouty]

Another thing is your location, some people can get by with cheap wrenches, people in the rust belt either need a good wrench or figure the fitting is junk and use vise grips.

 

[oldtools]

Snap On. Gearwrench has flex head version but dont know how well it perform.

 

[Davefr]

This is one tool where it's probably best to bite the bullet and get SO.

 

[LXCam]

Snap On. Gearwrench has flex head version but dont know how well it perform.

They ****!






Well in all fairness they're ok if you got a mile of space which I've never ever seen.

 

[kctyphoon]

Here's a question that should be asked, are you a professional mechanic or is it your own stuff you are working on? The answer to that may help dictate options. Used is another option.

 

[bob15]

Here's a question that should be asked, are you a professional mechanic or is it your own stuff you are working on? The answer to that may help dictate options. Used is another option.

With tubing wrenches it shouldn't matter if you are pro or backyard.......you spend the money once for a quality set and you won't have to deal with issues from trying to use a cheap wrench down the road.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Snap On. Gearwrench has flex head version but dont know how well it perform.

They ****!






Well in all fairness they're ok if you got a mile of space which I've never ever seen.

Yikes, those "ratcheting" line wrenches are always bulky. I have the standard flex heads, and they've been great. Head is the same dimensions as the SK.

 

[Jacobson]

I bought a set of SK, I think. I've never encountered a nut that is so tight that it would bend open the jaws of a cheaper wrench.

 

[bcradio]

With tubing wrenches it shouldn't matter if you are pro or backyard.......you spend the money once for a quality set and you won't have to deal with issues from trying to use a cheap wrench down the road.

Actually for backyard guys (like me) you buy them twice. First the cheap set thinking they will suffice. When those don't work you have to pony up for the Snap-On

 

[lincwelder225]

How does the S-K compare to the snap on in quality? I have a set of metric and 6 different sized SAE ones ( 3 wrenches, 2 different sizes on each wrench). The couple of times I've used them, I didnt have an issue. Just wondering if they're on par with snap on or am I missing out. Thanks!

 

[kythri]

They ****!






Well in all fairness they're ok if you got a mile of space which I've never ever seen.

Actually used these with good results replacing the ABS pump in my '00 Expedition.

 

[Mikeske]

Bonney. Never found anything in 34 years of use that they did not work except a rust belt special. They a good pair of vise grips and a new line. To bad you can not buy new ones anymore.

 

[steveo3002]

i got tired rounding off flare nuts , sinse i got some snap ons ive not damaged another one !

worth getting , even if you have to get used ones

 

[jrockford]

Hands down the best that you can buy today is the Snap On ones!

With your budget being open ended, I would buy the combination ones with the open ends, see what I did there?

What you did there was hilarious.

Can't say I've ever seen this design before, but it sure looks convenient.

I used to have no complaints about my SK set, but now I wish they were like the above SO's. That is also 2x the wrenches (and the room) though. Only negative I can think of if you want to call "more tools" an issue.

 

[Jp267]

With tubing wrenches it shouldn't matter if you are pro or backyard.......you spend the money once for a quality set and you won't have to deal with issues from trying to use a cheap wrench down the road.

I learned my lesson at a young age to buy a set of these, when I tried using a regular wrench on a flare nut fitting, where the hard and soft brake lines connect. When the hard line twisted off, and snapped, I learned how to use a flaring tool.[emoji2]

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[countryroad82]

Hands down the best that you can buy today is the Snap On ones!

With your budget being open ended, I would buy the combination ones with the open ends, see what I did there?

^^^^ This. These are by far, the best line wrenches out there. Flared for breaking the stupid things loose, open for getting them out. If you don't live in the rust belt, you just don't understand.

 

[Fedwrench]

Another vote here for the combination line wrench

They aren't cheap and Snap on probably makes the nicest version combining fit, feel, balance, & finish. ebay can be your friend.

Some other observations:

To me, i find the zero offset SK version to be a little on the short side and bulky. the lack of an offset impedes access at times. SK does make an offset version and that would be the one to get.

Gearwrench line wrench sets can usually be found as part of a buy one get one special wherein you get the SAE set free when buying the metric set. They aren't snap on quality but, they'll serve the price minded user well.
There is a difference between the Gearwrench swivel or flex head flare wrench & the flex head ratcheting flare wrench. Mainly the size of the ratcheting head, they're friggen huge!! however, the non ratcheting flex head line wrenches offer improved access.

Good luck in your quest

 

[oldtools]

How does the S-K compare to the snap on in quality? I have a set of metric and 6 different sized SAE ones ( 3 wrenches, 2 different sizes on each wrench). The couple of times I've used them, I didnt have an issue. Just wondering if they're on par with snap on or am I missing out. Thanks!

SO is better. On really stuck fitting, SK will slip but SO will not.

 

[Strouty]

My Snap On driver would take a typical brake line fitting, put it in a vise, then tighten the fitting up with a craftsman line wrench, but he would keep going until it slipped and rounded the fitting. Then he would use the Snap On wrench to remove the newly rounded off fitting. That was what sold me.

Another note on the combination ones, the open end is much wider than a typical wrench so it is less likely to hurt the fittings. I will try and show a picture of it. Some of them are still available through Snap On, I bought mine used through eBay.

 

[rlitman]

...Another note on the combination ones, the open end is much wider than a typical wrench so it is less likely to hurt the fittings.

+1 The open end of Snap On combination line wrenches is still a line wrench. It is thicker in all dimensions than their standard wrenches. It both puts more meat on the flats, plus has more meat to prevent spreading.

 

[Strouty]

This is the open end of a Snap On 15mm flare and 15mm regular combination open end for comparison.

 

[bimmer630]

I owned the SK line wrenches and found out quickly that they just spread and round off the nuts.
SO really makes the best line wrench out there, but I have a few that are MAC and they are great too.
My metric set at work is Proto, and they have never spread on me, but they dont have the hex offset into the head which is a major flaw because you cant flip the wrench over to grab another bite on the fastener

 

[Tinner]

I have Snap-on flare nut wrenches in SAE and metric. Both are 20+ years old and have seen a ton of use on rusty old cars. They're worth every penny.

A couple years ago, I stumbled upon a deal on the S-K zero offsets. $50 for SAE set and $60 for metric, so I grabbed them. These are Ideal era wrenches. Of course, I haven't used them nearly as much as the Snap-ons, but I've been real pleased. I'd rate them a close second.

Pre Ideal S-K were pretty poor quality.

 

[Mr_B]

This is one where snapon is the clear winner .

 

[CJ2A]

I purchased SK's 15 degree offset flare nut wrenches, they are very strong with perfect chroming. I would highly recommend purchasing the offset as opposed to the straight wrenches, far more versatile than a straight nut wrench. For reference, I live in a rust state that averages around 7' of snowfall and uses salt six months out of the year.

Here are a couple of links, HJE also stocks the items. Item number SK386, SK378.
http://www.circlecsupply.com/sk-386...ractional-15-offset-flare-nut-wrench-set.html
http://www.circlecsupply.com/sk-378...me-metric-15-offset-flare-nut-wrench-set.html

 

[anndel]

Snap On