ratcheting flare nut wrenches

[Zaylor]

I saw this design for the first time at Princess Auto.

I have seen other designs of ratcheting line wrenches, but this seems superior.

Has anyone out there used them, and would you be willing to give your opinion?

Thank you

 

[Banshee365]

I've gotta say, those look pretty slick. How do they feel in person?

 

[Ign]

How do they open up to go around a line?

 

[Jarhead0408]

Those look pretty nice.

 

[Zaylor]

How do they open up to go around a line?

The inside hex part actually is open to go around a line. Here's a better pic from another place.

 

[Zaylor]

I've gotta say, those look pretty slick. How do they feel in person?

They feel good in the hand. The ratchet mechanism actually felt like it would work. I wanted them.

However, I have no experience with Princess Auto, and they have a lot of gimmicky stuff.

I also don't live in Canada, so can't bring them back if they break.

 

[bonneyman]

Looks like a relieved 6-point broaching. Nice feature.

The metrics could be a real help nowadays.

 

[niferous]

I have a metric and SAE set of the Wright Tool ratcheting flare nut wrenches. They work very well and I hardly ever use my traditional style flare nut wrenches any more.

 

[Whchua]

Tempting, looks great

 

[superautobacs]

My first one was a fixed head with a regular open end on one end. I've since added a couple flex heads. They have worked for me, but I've only used them a handful of times. They have a bit of a gimmicky feel. The black and red plastic rings can come off if you're not careful. I would be weary of using them in dusty, grimy environments where sand and other foreign objects could enter the ratcheting mechanism. They have a bulky head as well which might be a limitation.

 

[Zaylor]

My first one was a fixed head with a regular open end on one end. I've since added a couple flex heads. They have worked for me, but I've only used them a handful of times. They have a bit of a gimmicky feel. The black and red plastic rings can come off if you're not careful. I would be weary of using them in dusty, grimy environments where sand and other foreign objects could enter the ratcheting mechanism. They have a bulky head as well which might be a limitation.

Fantastic pics!

Great point about contamination to the ratcheting mechanism. It's kind of like an older open head ratchet in that way.

Do they still work without the plastic rings?


I figured I could use them to spin things on and off, and still use my solid line wrenches to break things loose. There are a lot of times I am turning a nut on a brake line, and it is too much torque to turn by hand so I am stuck doing 900 25degree rotations with a traditional end wrench or line wrench.

 

[Coolabah]

wow- look really NICE. My problem is that I use flare nut wrenches like once a blue moon , can't even justify those to myself let alone SWMBO ...

 

[gdocktor3]

Astro Pneumatic makes some and they've gotten good reviews. Plus, there is a rep on here who will take care of you if you have any problems. http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Pc-Ratche...1040e19490e506cd682acd&pid=100508&rk=1&rkt=1&

I've used Imperial ratcheting flare wrenches like these for years and they work great, if there's enough room for them... Proto, Armstrong, and others also make them like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/IMPERIAL-KW...:g:OwwAAOSwoudW3Kx8&item=201536471629&vxp=mtr These are the new design http://www.ebay.com/itm/IMPERIAL-19...585394?hash=item27fc895db2:g:g0cAAOxymxFRmjmV