line wrenches/flare nut spanners

[bert.]

if money was no issue what brand would you buy and why?

 

[V70R]

Snap-on Flank Drive's. Working on VW/Audi vehicles and their hydraulic lines have been a pain over the years along with bleeder screws on calipers. Only sets worth having are the Flank Drive setups.

 

[srode]

One of the few sets of Snap on tools I have is a line wrench set, they haven't ever failed me and I have used them on plenty of older cars with lines that are tough to break loose. They are worth the premium price IMHO

 

[Doxhog]

I have been happy with my Craftsman sets (mertric and SAE).

 

[TheGrooveking]

I have been happy with my Craftsman sets (mertric and SAE).

Professional series Craftsman on raised panels? The reason I ask is I've actually had both types flex while under load and round over fittings. I've been using SK or Proto and they do a good job. Someday the Snap On Flare combination wrenches will be mine.

TheGrooveking

 

[canuckian]

I have the SO sets of double end line wrenches....haven't failed me yet!

 

[franzdom]

The double end are a good value but if you can swing the flare/open they are very nice to use. Sometimes you need 2 of the same so I guess it's good to have both, I pair the flare/open with the flare crowfoot ones when needed. Being able to turn to the open side when it gets loose to open it all the way is very handy.

 

[Fedwrench]

Snap on even if money is tight. Start by trying to find used in the sizes you use most and expand slowly from there.
You won't find a better fitting or stronger design. It's one of the tools that Snap on sets the standard in.

 

[bart1]

Has anybody used Bonney ones?

I would probably get these:

 

[lbgradwell]

Snap on even if money is tight. Start by trying to find used in the sizes you use most and expand slowly from there.
You won't find a better fitting or stronger design. It's one of the tools that Snap on sets the standard in.

Good advice.

I'm certainly not a SO-only guy, but it's almost universally-agreed that SO really got the flare nut wrenches right and they represent the superior tool for that application.

 

[Obie]

What about Wright? Do they have their Wright Drive on their flare nut wrenches? If so, then that would be awesome, as their regular and Wright Grip wrenches are outstanding quality.

 

[warmpancakes]

watch ebay for single snap ons I assembled a entire set of metric for 30% of truck price singles go cheap complete sets bring good money

 

[Wakefield]

Snap On,if you are listening please make sure you keep the wall thickness uniform around your wrench openings!! (Please,no visible off-center broaching) It helps keep your stock price up!!

 

[axl911]

Definitely a newbie question here...but can the line wrench be used on a stripped/rusted nut where an open end wrench slips and you can't get the closed end in?

Or is this a no-no since the the flare nut wrenches are too weak in the head?

 

[franzdom]

Definitely a newbie question here...but can the line wrench be used on a stripped/rusted nut where an open end wrench slips and you can't get the closed end in?

Or is this a no-no since the the flare nut wrenches are too weak in the head?

Generally speaking line wrenches are not for high torque applications.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

If you break off flare nut wrench, you are doing it wrong.

Since you are out of state, I'd buy high end European brand tools.

 

[ChrisStarks]

Definitely Snap On. I've had a set of USA Craftsman flare nut wrenches, that usually worked. A couple of months ago, I had a car come in that had not had the brakes touched in decades! The Craftsman wrenches slipped and spread like a drunken ******. I ended up using SO flank drive wrenches to break everything loose... then ordered a set of flare nut wrenches. Only a few cars touched with them so far, but seem good to go.

 

[bimmer630]

I had fully polished SK, and they spread out. Junk. Probably the same as Craftsman professional.
I own Proto metric and Snapon Inch line wrenches and I havent had trouble with either of them. IMO Snap on is the best ive used but I havent stripped a nut with the Protos either.
Also the guy I work for has Bonney line wrenches and they seem nice. I think they are the same stampings as old Matco.
That Hazet stuff looks sweet

 

[TheGrooveking]

Has anybody used Bonney ones?

Yes, I have Bonney made Matco's they are exellent, but those stay at home for fear of losing at work. I have both SAE & Metric in 6 pt. and Metric in 12 pt. Bonneys.

TheGrooveking

 

[metalgodlb]

I have an almost complete set of Williams but have not gotten to use them yet. Anyone have any experience with those?

 

[jensputzier]

Has anybody used Bonney ones?

I would probably get these:

I have those and they work well. They are 30 Euros (45 US$) each.

 

[crewchief888]

i have a mixed bag of std & metrics, bought on an "as needed" basis.

worst of the bunch is probably the sk's, best of them SO followed closely by older mac

 

[bart1]

...They are 30 Euros (45 US$) each.

Therein lies the problem

 

[Old Donn]

S-K full polish, Cman RP, and some old Chicoms from my "no money" days. I use all three. Whichever fits best is the one I go with. And a lot of Kroil or PB Blaster if the fastener suffers from a Michigan welding job.

 

[speed bump]

If money was no object I would use whatever I had handy and if it didn't work it would be followed by a pipe wrench and a line replacement.

Otherwise I have been happy with my Utica and Proto line wrenches and eventually will pick up some Snap-ons for a comparison.

 

[Monte]

 

[Bran Diezel]

i am a snap on guy through and through but i have a set of matco that i think grip better.

though the snap on combo with the ratcheting open end and flare nut on the other end are my favorites of all time

 

[regguy1]

Snap-On, bought these in the mid 60's and still going strong, and they work very well

 

[bart1]

Darn you Monte. Sell me that - cheap!

 

[Gregg33]

Snap On or Gray, but those 2 are my preference in 9 out of 10 tools.

 

[Gmonkee]

Money no issue, wurth articulated line wrenches. I'm still trying to pay them off. Bang for the buck, older Easco are rigid and fit well on most applications. But they are a bit hard to find as sets.

 

[bert.]

i should have added in the op that i'm looking to buy a new set in metric only.
also being from/in australia i have not heard of a few of the brands you guys mention. i was tossimg up between snap on and stahlwille as the stahlwille ones would have more surface area on the nut as the head is made a bit diffrent. however there would be a 6-8 week delay as the importer/distrubitor dont stock them over here. it would be cheaper and quicker to import them myself i think. the snap on ones would be easy to get as the truck calls in regularly and there both similar prices out here.
so dose any one have any experience with the stahlwille flare nut spanners?

 

[Monte]

Darn you Monte. Sell me that - cheap!

it´s not mine unfortunately...

 

[William Payne]

so dose any one have any experience with the stahlwille flare nut spanners?

Good question! I would love to know as well.

 

[Monte]

Stahlwille

(not mine)

or how about this ?

 

[Crashman]

I have the Stahlwille and Snap On wrenches - they are on a par. Go with whichever is cheaper or easier to get.

 

[William Payne]

I have the Stahlwille and Snap On wrenches - they are on a par. Go with whichever is cheaper or easier to get.

Good to know thanks for that.

 

[bart1]

I had posted a response to Monte in a different thread before. If you notice, the Stahwille do no grab the "front" two corners of the fitting. Hazet does. To be safe, I would think as much contact as possible is best.

 

[Monte]

I had posted a response to Monte in a different thread before. If you notice, the Stahwille do no grab the "front" two corners of the fitting. Hazet does. To be safe, I would think as much contact as possible is best.

you´re right ! So forget the Stahlwille buy Hazet, Gedore or Snap-On
The best one is the Hazet posted above anyway so to buy anything else is a no brainer

 

[bart1]

As far as line wrenches being for low torque: Even with the regular, non reinforced, Hazets, I would not be afraid to crank on them pretty good. Check out this beef compared to a Hazet 600N combination wrench, which is known for very high strength.