Need advice on line wrenches

[Sugarfryz]

A couple months ago I bought a Matco set of line wrenches, and I think they are pretty much junk. A lot of the time when I am working on something like a rusty line, or bleeder screw. I seem to have a 50/50 chance of it rounding it off. Usually they are some rusty fasteners, but I slip even a cheap cman 6pt socket on there and it takes it off (in the case of bleeder screws for example).

I was thinking of trading them in for a snap on set, I need advice of if they will actually be better. Of course my snap on guy is gonna say they are better.

I bought line wrenches so they wouldn't round **** off, is this just normal for some really rusted lines? Is it user error? Should I upgrade??

All opinions would be appreciated. I believe snap on to be top of the line for wrenches, and all mine except for the line wrenches are snap on. Will the trade be worth it? Don't wanna spend money to get the same results.

 

[LXCam]

As much as I hate saying it yes they are worth every dime. After crying my way thru four different manufacturers offerings I finally bit the bullet a couple years ago and bought the SO's. Wish I'd have done it much sooner.

 

[Sugarfryz]

As much as I hate saying it yes they are worth every dime. After crying my way thru four different manufacturers offerings I finally bit the bullet a couple years ago and bought the SO's. Wish I'd have done it much sooner.

So they're really that much better than others huh? Even as a pro tech I tend to shy away from snap on most of the time. Their tools are top notch just so damn expensive. I go to them for ratchets and wrenches exclusively, except for these line wrenches and it seems to have screwed me over.

 

[LXCam]

Ya they're that good. I have yet to spread one. I bought my metric set new off the truck at a little over two bills. But got my SAE set second hand for a hundy. I see them every once and a while listed for a hundred. So if you keep your eyes open you might find a deal.

 

[BajaBound]

I too did the buy once cry once with snap on.

 

[KMdef9]

It's more the likely the fastener.

If your curious to try snap-on, just buy the one size you use the most off of ebay to confirm.

 

[Aqua-Andy]

Yes they are that good! I know people that tried other and they always end up with SO in the end. I have tried Cman and SK at home for side work and they were useless.

KMdef9, good idea. Unless they are having a special, SnapOn is the same price whether you purchase one or the whole set.

 

[M6erfan]

I agree, line wrenches are one on the Snap On products that I recommend to everyone from hobbiest to professional...Get 'em, you won't be dissapointed.

 

[2mJps]

It's more the likely the fastener.

If your curious to try snap-on, just buy the one size you use the most off of ebay to confirm.

Alot of the junk i work on it dosent matter what brand its rusty and tight. I have better luck with crowsfoots than i do with wrenches.

 

[jdlong]

I agree, line wrenches are one on the Snap On products that I recommend to everyone from hobbiest to professional...Get 'em, you won't be dissapointed.

It's not like they're $400 either. They are twice SK money and worth it.

 

[KMdef9]

Alot of the junk i work on it dosent matter what brand its rusty and tight. I have better luck with crowsfoots than i do with wrenches.

A crows foot is a wrench.

My experience is the opposite, hate using crows feet. But stick with what works!

 

[KnurledNut]

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[woody6904]

Haven't used a flare wrench since I bought my first set of Wrightgrips. The open end bites hard enough haven't needed anything else. Put the money I was saving for a good set of flare wrenches towards two more sets of Wrightgrips.

 

[nbpt100]

I don't have snap on but I did have a cheaper set I bought at NAPA and I threw them away. I would not even sell them to anyone. I would not do that to anyone.

 

[Schurkey]

Why are you using "line wrenches" on a bleeder screw?

Flare-nut wrenches should be used on flare nuts.

 

[[memphis]]

Why are you using "line wrenches" on a bleeder screw?

Flare-nut wrenches should be used on flare nuts.

I was going to ask the same... generally use a socket but the brake fluid screws up my ratchets.

Anyone have insight on 6 point double box ends for bleeders?

 

[Sugarfryz]

I was going to ask the same... generally use a socket but the brake fluid screws up my ratchets.

Anyone have insight on 6 point double box ends for bleeders?

To stop getting brake fluid inside my ratchets is why I try to use a line wrench

 

[rlitman]

I agree, line wrenches are one on the Snap On products that I recommend to everyone from hobbiest to professional...Get 'em, you won't be dissapointed.

Agreed. Also, check out their combination line wrenches. One side is open ended, but is much beefier than a normal open end wrench, so there is no way it will spread.

 

[Sugarfryz]

I was going to ask the same... generally use a socket but the brake fluid screws up my ratchets.

Anyone have insight on 6 point double box ends for bleeders?

If I use an open end of a wrench they round off, if I use a 12 box end they can also round off. I keep a cheap ratchet around for getting soaked in brake fluid. It's also worn the finish off some of my sockets.

 

[Sugarfryz]

I agree, line wrenches are one on the Snap On products that I recommend to everyone from hobbiest to professional...Get 'em, you won't be dissapointed.

Not necessarily worried about how tough they are per se, do they round less fasteners?

 

[KMdef9]

Why are you using "line wrenches" on a bleeder screw?

Flare-nut wrenches should be used on flare nuts.

I was going to ask the same... generally use a socket but the brake fluid screws up my ratchets.

Flare wrenches aren't designed for flare fittings. They're designed for fittings with hoses/lines, some of which do happen to be flared.

 

[JJThrasher]

I use Gearwrench and they're decent. The SO ones are the best I've used personally.

 

[anndel]

I have Tektons and they pretty much rounded the bleeder nut that I replaced it using a vise grip pliers. I bought a set of Snap On line wrenched and never looked back.

 

[nbpt100]

I have a double end box wrench made by Lisle for bleeders. A 6 point 3/8 on one end and 7/16 on the other. Now more and more are 10mm. I have just been using a 6 PT socket to free it up and then a 12 pt box wrench to open and close for bleeding. Once it is free a 12 point is fine.

I think the last fasteners on American cars to switch from SAE to Metric are the brake bleeder fitting and flare nuts on brake and transmission lines. Just my experience.