Ratcheting Flare Nut / Line Wrenches

[eriksalo]

Has anyone tried out any of the new "ratcheting" flare nut wrenches?

I see that Gearwrench has a new set of flare wrenches that ratchet:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/products/2011-sema-editors-choice-awards-6#slide-6

Also, Armstrong has a line of ratcheting flare nut wrenchs:

http://www.sears.com/armstrong-7-8-...p-00983550000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

Has anyone tried these? Are they as good as the standard Flare nut wrenches?

I've been really impressed with Gearwrench stuff lately but would be worried about the flex in these units.

Thanks; Erik

 

[sickboy motors inc.]

Didnt proto have those way back in the day?

 

[OEXL16B]

I'm usually not in that much of a hurry to loosen flare nuts. I break them free with a traditional flare nut wrench and then spin them off with my fingers. I can't see why anyone would need a ratcheting flare nut wrench.

 

[metaleltr]

The Armstrong style has been around as long as I can remember (im 16, i know i saw them in the 99 sears industrial tools catalog), the gearwrench style is new.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

I'd just get flex head flare nut wrench without ratcheting.

 

[jjjrmx5]

I've used teh Imperial brand which Sears used to sell that is similar to the Armstrong tools.

If all you do all day is work on hydraulic lines and line fittings, then they may help speed the process but I always felt better using the Snap-On flare wrenches and the using a open end to spin it off.

For smaller things like uncorroded brake lines, they work great. In the end it's just another mousetrap that is good to have around when you need it but less specialized tools are out there that do it equal or better in some cases.

 

[jzt]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=151113

 

[mvptrukin]

My primary use of flare nut wrenches is on diesel fuel systems, hydraulics at work and at home,although some brake work at home. The Armstrong type that was linked have been made by most tool brands for years, even SO although they no longer show them in the catalogs or website. I find the head width of this type doesn't work for my needs. I have been waiting to try the Gearwrench design since PM had them in the mag---where do you find them? Tooltopia carries every GW tool made but always shows these out of stock! If you Google the wrenches every site that comes up doesn't show them for sale--Sears included! The GW website doesn't even list them! The YouTube video shows what appears to be a GW employee demonstrating the tools.

 

[eriksalo]

The reason they look interesting is you might have some additional flexibility in removing a flare fitting. I have SAE/Metric standard sets and they work OK but I sometimes have trouble getting them to fit on the fitting due to other things in the way.

I'll bet the swivel head units would be a benefit regardless of ratcheting.

I couldn't find the Gearwrench units on their website but did see a video of a GW employee introducing them and saying they would be available April 2012.

 

[ra42mario]

check out the ones from SUR&R (Akron OH), your Cornwell driver probably stocks them! Its the same company that makes the fuel line repair kits and ez bend brake lines

 

[AutoTek]

I'm usually not in that much of a hurry to loosen flare nuts. I break them free with a traditional flare nut wrench and then spin them off with my fingers. I can't see why anyone would need a ratcheting flare nut wrench.

I totally agree......