Proto Flare nut wrench issue

[TheGrooveking]

Well after reading a few of the reviews/comments here on GJ about Proto flare nut wrenches I decided to buy a few sets for my work box. Now granted I have the Snap On, Matco and SK flare nut wrench sets at home. So I added the Proto to my work boxes so that I could move my older (1980 vintage) Craftsman raised panel flare nut wrenches to my truck box - a reasonable excuse if there ever was one.

I bought the 5 pc Metric set 3700M

and the 7 pc SAE Combination Open End Flare nut wrench set (also of note, Grainger lists this set as metric, but the Proto part number of 3700A will get you SAE wrenches.

So what I found upon looking at the flare nut ends is that the Proto wrenches only drive on 4 corners of the fastener, were as all of the other brands drive 6 corners. I borrowed a photo from the other Proto flare nut wrench thread, see below the comparison.

While the wrenches are nice, their finish is rougher than other Proto tools I have and the chrome feels sharp on the edges, which maybe over time will turn into flaking. We'll see how they do over time, but if I had noticed this before I would of skipped on them. Another thing is the tool rolls are not the bright red plastic, but a nylon/condura type dark red fabric.


Another observation is that both Proto, Armstrong and Wright are metrically challenged when it comes to combination open end flare nut wrenches.

TheGrooveking

 

[LincolnCont.]

Thanks for the info. I've been looking to buy some metric flares and was considering Proto but after seeing the picture I will buy something else.

 

[larry_g]

I believe that if you blue up a couple of nuts you will find that both of those wrenches will hit on 5 points.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[oldtools]

Proto quality slipping. Look worst than HF flare wrench. Is it still made in USA?

 

[WHT]

So what I found upon looking at the flare nut ends is that the Proto wrenches only drive on 4 corners of the fastener, were as all of the other brands drive 6 corners. I borrowed a photo from the other Proto flare nut wrench thread, see below the comparison.

While the wrenches are nice, their finish is rougher than other Proto tools I have and the chrome feels sharp on the edges, which maybe over time will turn into flaking. We'll see how they do over time, but if I had noticed this before I would of skipped on them. Another thing is the tool rolls are not the bright red plastic, but a nylon/condura type dark red fabric.


Another observation is that both Proto, Armstrong and Wright are metrically challenged when it comes to combination open end flare nut wrenches.

TheGrooveking

Just saw this thread. You bought Proto flare wrenches. But, you used my picture of my wrenches?

You will find Proto flare wrenches work very well (at least as good as the more expensive Snap-on) if you blue a fitting and test the wrench contact points. These are industrial wrenches made for harsh industrial environments. Proto wrenches have a beefier (more rigid) cross-section where torque is actually applied to a nut and removes the outer section that doesn't transfer force to the nut. You can't actually believe force is applied to a nut equally around the perimeter of a flare wrench?

And, while satin finish doesn't look as nice as polished chrome, the broaching and fit are easily equal to my Snap-on wrenches. I own and use both as shown by my picture.

 

[gdocktor3]

TheGrooveking, or anyone else with experience, what is the bottom line on those Proto flare wrenches 6 years later? I think I remember seeing you mentioning them in another thread recently, but I can't find it. Other than the fact that they drive 4 corners, do they work any worse than other's you've used?

As WHT mentioned, the contact with the flats are what really matters, not the corners.

 

[Wakefield]

That style containing only 4 corners instead of 5 is like my old Craftsman flare nut wrenches and I think I have seen a picture of an expensive German flare nut wrench that was that style.
Like someone said the nut gets driven on the flat near the corner,not right on the corner ideally.
Does the Proto have chamfered (flank drive style) corners?

 

[gdocktor3]

Well they claim to have a "torque plus system" which I'm assuming is their version of flank drive. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00018AHCC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[md21722]

The picture on the right looks like my Snap On ones. What am I missing?

OP mentioned borrowing a picture in his original post.

 

[TheGrooveking]

Just saw this thread. You bought Proto flare wrenches. But, you used my picture of my wrenches?

You will find Proto flare wrenches work very well (at least as good as the more expensive Snap-on) if you blue a fitting and test the wrench contact points. These are industrial wrenches made for harsh industrial environments. Proto wrenches have a beefier (more rigid) cross-section where torque is actually applied to a nut and removes the outer section that doesn't transfer force to the nut. You can't actually believe force is applied to a nut equally around the perimeter of a flare wrench?

And, while satin finish doesn't look as nice as polished chrome, the broaching and fit are easily equal to my Snap-on wrenches. I own and use both as shown by my picture.

First off I never said it was my photo, as to the Proto being equal to the Snap On. The Proto's do not have the same contact / pressure of the Snap On or other flare nut wrenches that enclose/contact all 6 corners. The Proto under high load the one jaw of the Proto will push out - over the corner and spread the wrench open, which I have experienced.

TheGrooveking

 

[sberry]

I have Proto and to tell the truth am not all that impressed.

 

[Wes J]

I've never seen a flare nut wrench that I thought really helped. If it ain't coming with a regular open end wrench, it probably ain't coming.

 

[toolaholic]

I have the satin finish 12 point style. They are finished fine.

 

[sberry]

I've never seen a flare nut wrench that I thought really helped. If it ain't coming with a regular open end wrench, it probably ain't coming.

On rear brake work I usually resort to 6 and 10r right off, 6 pt sockets or wrenches if I got to do bleeders

 

[lazer50]

I have vintage craftsman snap on and sk. As long as the lines are not completely history and i soak with deep creep better than pb blaster btw my vintage craftsman hardly ever let me down.sometimes although rarely the other 2 dont fit the fittings as snug.

 

[Gerard]

Isn't the one on the right only driving five corners, not six? That makes it less of a difference.

In order to drive all six corners you would have to orient the points like the Proto but also have the two "lips" for the outermost corners like the Snap-on. With a quick search I couldn't find any wrenches with this design, which might be because it would make the opening too small.

 

[Gmonkee]

Condition and rust pretty much cam naked all but the worst perfect or useless.

I have a set of Worth that demand the nut is is in perfect condition or they will not go on. That tight tolerance makes them worthless on damaged stuff and amazing on the rest.

Sadly most of what I see is old beaters and cannot use them. Late model wreck repair they would be great.

Still they wait in the wings for the need for them. One day they will be the only for the job.