Snap-On flared nut wrench, question

[DarrenF]

Mine are all off center too and they are about 5 years old. I Think they must be designed that way. I would guess they are designed for line fittings that are in cramped locations, such as brake backing plates obstructing access. Just a guess though

 

[Worsedog]

or you could flip it over.

Then you would be working against the angle.

 

[xroad]

" ...... But if you look closely the thicker side is the side that would be taking the most load tightening rather than loosening in most instances. ..... "

I disagree with that. The wrench opening is 15 degrees tilted so the wrench can be flip to get a 30 degrees arc movement. There is no "torque down with this side of the wrench" feature.

If the reason is for fitting into cramp space, then why not make the other side thinner? Need the thicker side for strength? Then why the thinner side don't need the strength? So, to me it does not make sense.

Maybe all the lower quality competition is putting pressure on Snap-On and they have to back off on some of their non critical specs to reduce cost. Superior product mean just that, superior product. It does not necessary translates to great sales and bottom line for the business.

 

[shamrock12]

Well I called the Snap-On customer service this morning and explained about the wrenches being broached off-center. Then when I asked if there was any change in manufacturing procedures, the lady on the phone didn't know what to answer and talked with another representative that she claimed would know more than herself. After a brief holding, she told me that they will be sending me another set and to have the old set returned to them. I told her that I have a feeling that they may be sending me another bad set. She told me that she is going to notify the distributor center to check their stock.

So I did not get a straight answer why these happened. I guess time will tell when the second set come in.

 

[DavidtheDuke]

Well I called the Snap-On customer service this morning and explained about the wrenches being broached off-center. Then when I asked if there was any change in manufacturing procedures, the lady on the phone didn't know what to answer and talked with another representative that she claimed would know more than herself. After a brief holding, she told me that they will be sending me another set and to have the old set returned to them. I told her that I have a feeling that they may be sending me another bad set. She told me that she is going to notify the distributor center to check their stock.

So I did not get a straight answer why these happened. I guess time will tell when the second set come in.

I would think sending you a new set is a clear message they agree it is not how they should be made.

 

[billymade]

Keep us posted on your new set and if you see any difference when you get them!

 

[Lightning]

MAybe they are not off center.

 

[Uncle Buck]

They are off center because it allows for more torque without slippage. This is why Snap On flare nut wrenches are the best in the world. No one makes better flare nut wrenches. NO ONE!

AW jeeze, why didn't you just say they invented the damned thing and bow down or something! Yea I know the schpeel, I am so damned tired of hearing the pay homage cry from all the drones!

 

[Lightning]

AW jeeze, why didn't you just say they invented the damned thing and bow down or something! Yea I know the schpeel, I am so damned tired of hearing the pay homage cry from all the drones!

I went back and looked at mine and they do not appear off center. If they are off center it would allow for more torque though.

 

[Merkava_4]

That's my 5/8" in the center; it's pretty much broached on center as far as I can tell and the rest of them look the same.

 

[Uncle Buck]

You are getting a bit lazy, I saw a little piece of hair or fuzz on one of those wrenches!

 

[shamrock12]

Well the second set came in today and just as I had expected, they are still broached off center! They looks the same as the first set, actually more worse because I noticed that the 19mm end on the 19-21mm wrench is off center which is not the case in the first set. Extremely disappointed. They can expect a phone call from me tomorrow. I will ask them if I could speak with a tool engineer and have them inspect their product, not just some kids in a warehouse who have no clue what they are looking at.

 

[Merkava_4]

You are getting a bit lazy, I saw a little piece of hair or fuzz on one of those wrenches!

Yeah I know ... I always post these pictures at the risk of being embarrassed.

 

[paramudduck]

Press easier on the polish cloths. You are leaving polish marks on the finish.

 

[Merkava_4]

I can't figure out how those surface scratches got there; the only size I've ever used was the 1/2" X 9/16".

 

[shamrock12]

Called the customer service this morning and told them about the second bad set. They offered to send me a third set but I declined. I told them that when I called them last Monday and was offered a second set that I had a feeling they may be sending me another bad set. Well my gut was right! The representative on the phone today told me that the distributor will check the stock but I told them that was exactly what I was told last Monday. The kid at warehouse have no clue what they are looking at anyway. So at this point, I am returning both sets for a refund. I told them that I want to report or speak with tool engineer about this problem. The representative said that they are sending a report to the product manager to have this issue looked into and that they will contact me when they find something. If I hear anything back, I'll be sure to keep you guys posted.

 

[Merkava_4]

The kid at warehouse have no clue what they are looking at anyway.

The lucky little ******* should educate himself about tools if he's going to work at such a fine establishment.

 

[Lightning]

It should not matter if is on center or not because it is a Snap On tool. Off center or on center it is stronger than other brand flare nut wrenches. This is well documented. This is a non issue becaue you can always flip the wrench anyway. I would rather have off centered wrenches personally.

 

[Merkava_4]

It should not matter if is on center or not because it is a Snap On tool.

Because it's a Snap-on tool, it matters the most! When we buy Snap-on tools, we're buying perfection; or at least we're supposed to be.

 

[Lightning]

Because it's a Snap-on tool, it matters the most! When we buy Snap-on tools, we're buying perfection; or at least we're supposed to be.

I do not think this is a big issue at all. So what if they are slightly off center? It probably will not make much difference. I would not worry about this.

 

[Merkava_4]

I do not think this is a big issue at all. So what if they are slightly off center?

I can't believe I'm reading this stuff.

 

[Lightning]

I can't believe I'm reading this stuff.

I am just joking. Relax

 

[Merkava_4]

I am just joking. Relax

BP 133/78 Pulse 96

 

[Merkava_4]

update:

BP 118/75 Pulse 92

 

[shamrock12]

Yes it does make a big difference when you are working in a tight space with limited amount of travel for the wrench. They are only 6 point so if you need to flip the wrench over to gain more travel, it may not fit because one side is thicker than the other.

And this is a $210 Snap-on set of 6 wrenches, so I expect them to be perfect too!

 

[Merkava_4]

And this is a $210 Snap-on set of 6 wrenches, so I expect them to be perfect too!

Yes ... they should be perfect for that kind of money.

 

[sjotis]

Or try these out:

 

[sjotis]

Or the flexible ones:

 

[xroad]

God forbid if this "that's how it suppose to be" imperfection happens on a Craftman tool! People will be carrying torches marching to the nearest Sears to burn down the place.

 

[shamrock12]

They called me back today and told me that these flare wrenches are under quality assurance testing. They advised me to try contacting them in about an month to see if they have the corrected set available.

It appears that they took notice because this set is currently "out of stock" on their website. Most likely they pulled them off the shelf but it seems that the individual wrenches are still available for sale. Who know, they may pull them off too after some testing.

 

[Merkava_4]

It seems like the guy doing the broaching would notice that he's screwing up if he checked his work once in awhile.

 

[billymade]

Interesting situation; keep us posted as things progress or change.

 

[Sunrise]

Damn it!!! i just checked un-opened my set. most of them are out of center, and one of them are way off that, end part is so skinny

any update from snap-on??

 

[Merkava_4]

I just got a used RXFMS1517A line wrench in the mail Friday from eBay. Guess what? It's broached perfectly on center!.

 

[Easyeddystrees]

The broaching is probably centered to the beam And most likely the standard distance for the correct length wrench as well. It's possible there was an issue with the forgings or the broaching fixture- if you have a row of wrenches on a fixture and the fixture gets knocked out of line the whole row of wrenches will be broached off center.

 

[Easyeddystrees]

It seems like the guy doing the broaching would notice that he's screwing up if he checked his work once in awhile.

Unless the lead man in his department says "nah man it's cool we don't keep the tolerance on the spec sheet, that's just a formality for the boss man!" And then a thousand rubbish wrenches enter next stages of manufacturing and nobody stops it because they're just lowly maggots at the shop and they don't make enough money to care.

 

[davethorik]

Unless the lead man in his department says "nah man it's cool we don't keep the tolerance on the spec sheet, that's just a formality for the boss man!" And then a thousand rubbish wrenches enter next stages of manufacturing and nobody stops it because they're just lowly maggots at the shop and they don't make enough money to care.

You know you're talking to a banned member in an 11 year old post, right?

 

[f121]

You know you're talking to a banned member in an 11 year old post, right?

I always wonder how people find these ancient threads to post on. Google?

Those off center flare wrenchs are terrible for that price.

 

[Tonyuk]

It should not matter if is on center or not because it is a Snap On tool. Off center or on center it is stronger than other brand flare nut wrenches. This is well documented. This is a non issue becaue you can always flip the wrench anyway. I would rather have off centered wrenches personally.

Except it does matter, it affects the spanners strength and ability to grip.

Try thinking for yourself once in awhile rather just eating up marketing ******** about snap-on. The tools they make are NO BETTER than any other tools from a decent manufacturer.

I have the combo set from them, with standard open ends. They are all broached on centre, like they should be.

The best flare spanners i've used from from Gedore, Stahlwille also make very good ones.

Toptul do a great set for £38 if your in the UK;

https://www.ewsupplies.co.uk/shop/tools/wrenches/sets/toptul-gaat0502/

Better than poorly made snap-on garbage any day.

 

[davethorik]

Except it does matter, it affects the spanners strength and ability to grip.

Try thinking for yourself once in awhile rather just eating up marketing ******** about snap-on. The tools they make are NO BETTER than any other tools from a decent manufacturer.

I have the combo set from them, with standard open ends. They are all broached on centre, like they should be.

The best flare spanners i've used from from Gedore, Stahlwille also make very good ones.

Toptul do a great set for £38 if your in the UK;

https://www.ewsupplies.co.uk/shop/tools/wrenches/sets/toptul-gaat0502/

Better than poorly made snap-on garbage any day.

Once again, poster you quoted hasn't been online in 10 years