SK Flare Nut wrenches or crowsfoot

[mrjaw14]

I'm about to make an Amazon order for either metric flare nut wrenches or crowfoot flare nut. Going to get SK because I've never actually needed flare nut in mm sizes so I can't justify snap on being a DIY.

I know I can put a short breaker bar on a crowfoot and make a flex head wrench, and I can always put an extension and ratchet on it and get where a normal wrench cant. I'm thinking about the crow foot flare nut just for the versitility, but understand that I might be adding some slop into the mix I wouldn't have with regular flare nut wrenches. does that matter?

Do any of you have anything to say that uses flare nuts regularly that would have an opinion one way or the other? I see myself using this for brake lines and maybe power steering.

The crow foot flare nut is 9-19mm and the wrench set is 9-21 with a 15* offset. do you ever use the 21mm?

PS I know there was an old thread about this. with cars having less and less clearance I didn't know if the opinion had changed, or maybe get different responses now days. And it wasn't especially about SK flare nuts and their quality as of the end of 2013

 

[ken w.]

I would go with the flare wrenches. I think you would get more use out of them than the crowsfoot. I haven't used a crowsfoot socket in so long now.If you do need one it's a real job saver,but you really need to justify them over the flare wrenches.

 

[monster1]

Love my sk flare wrenches. I think they are better than DIY quality.

 

[genevabuck]

You will get much more use out of the flare nut wrenches

 

[mrjaw14]

Why no love for the flare nut crows foot?

 

[theknurl]

You will get much more use out of the flare nut wrenches

+10

 

[franzdom]

They are awkward and super useful when you need a second one of the same size or a remote use, but they are recommended as a backup to normal flare wrenches, not usually as a primary. If you don't have flare nut wrenches do yourself a favor and get a set, you will definitely prefer them to the crow style for most applications.

 

[oldldh]

If you flare...

You'll be there...

(Damn, the poet strikes again...)

 

[ken w.]

Why no love for the flare nut crows foot?

The flare crowsfoot's are a pain to fit into most places and when you do find a spot to use them , you have to turn the wrench just so far to get it back on for another turn. To use them in place of flare wrenches would be a pain.If you are trying to remove a brake line on a wheel cylinder with a crowfoot,you would need to either put a breaker bar or a ratchet and a small extension to get it in there.And,most likely you will twist the line off because you wont have any feel for the nut loosening or the line twisting off. A flare wrench is just so much easier.Buy the crowfoots later when you have extra money.

 

[Steven67fr]

The flare crowsfoot's are a pain to fit into most places and when you do find a spot to use them , you have to turn the wrench just so far to get it back on for another turn. To use them in place of flare wrenches would be a pain.If you are trying to remove a brake line on a wheel cylinder with a crowfoot,you would need to either put a breaker bar or a ratchet and a small extension to get it in there.And,most likely you will twist the line off because you wont have any feel for the nut loosening or the line twisting off. A flare wrench is just so much easier.Buy the crowfoots later when you have extra money.

I bet you'd be surprised how long you can get by with just the line/flare wrenches.

Good choice on going SK. IMO top quality for the price.

 

[mrjaw14]

thanks for the responses guys. That post above about space sealed the deal for me getting wrenches over the crowsfoot flare nuts. I didn't realize just how different the "feel" would be, and I guess the head would be clunky and hard to manage in certain situations.

Thanks again

 

[DRhodes]

I would look at Tooltopia. They have great prices for SK tools. Before you buy, make sure your getting the best deal out there . Also Advanced Auto parts sells SK tools and there is a coupon posted in the Hot Deals section for 35% off.

I love SK tools. IMO they are the best priced tool on the market.

 

[pipsters]

I have both, I use the flare nut crows foot more than the regular wrenches. Even for around the home projects like plumbing.

 

[mrjaw14]

Awe man, just when I thought the consensus was wrench vs crows foot flare

 

[bob15]

Awe man, just when I thought the consensus was wrench vs crows foot flare

Stick with the wrenches. I have both 6 and 12 pt wrenches and crowfeet and find that I use the 6 pt wrench followed by the 12 pt wrench and very, very rarely the socket.

I have the sockets because the price was right at the time......if not, i would not own them as I believe I have used them two or three times in 15-20 years. That being said, I won't sell them, just because.....


bob