Snap-On line wrenches. Which style?

[SouthernIllinois]

I’m going with Snap-On one way or the other. My question is which style.

The kind with flare wrench on each end or the kind with a regular open end on one end and a flare on the other or the kind with a flare end on both ends.

TIA


Or this kind

 

[1320]

I like the RXS open end/Flare combos more than the double Flare end wrenches. It does mean having more wrenches for a "full set," but the open ends are useful for their increased speed of use.

There are also the no longer in production RSXS style, which are a speed open end/Flare combo that I also like.

 

[Jgaz]

All my line wrenches are Snap-on brand.
They are all double flare with a different sizes on each of the two ends.

IMO better range of sizes for the money.
40+ years of professional use and never regretted the decision

 

[rancherbill]

I'd get the first one that also has the flank drive ends. I saw a comparison on Tiktok and they are almost as good as HF.

 

[Cheep]

Flare on both ends.

 

[dscheidt]

I got so used to the double ended flare ones, that when I got a flare/open in a size I used a lot, I couldn’t stop putting it down to grab a combination wrench.

 

[908Jim]

I have the RXF style in metric because I couldn't afford the full range of the RXS style when I bought them 15+ years ago. If money were no object, the Open/Flare combo all day every day. Reason being it makes it much faster to remove old crusty fittings that you can't remove with your fingers.

I often think about selling my existing flares to buy the RXS style, but life has gotten in the way of major automotive projects and I cant quite justify it. In hind sight, the "fringe" sizes get used so infrequently I should have just gotten what I really wanted.

 

[fozzy]

Depends on what you already have for regular wrenches. The open end/flare nut version would be triple redundant in my box. If this is the same in yours, then I would go with the double end flare nuts.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I prefer the flare on both ends.

 

[d42jeep]

I have some of both styles but always reach for the flare/open as I have since the late ‘60s.
-Don

 

[KnurledNut]

A lot here already know this, but some of the less experienced may not; the open end is thicker than other open end wrenches Snap-on makes. Its not readily noticeable in pictures. This design helps with soft fittings where the flare end may not fit due to crimped ferrules, stacked fittings, etc.

If these are strictly for automotive, then I would recommend the double flare ends.
For use on machinery, equipment, plumbing/piping, or building maintenance the open end can be beneficial.

Keep in mind you will need twice as many of the flare/open wrenches to make a set.

Compared to a standard Snap-on combination wrench of the same size:

 

[Wamsutta]

I used to have a Snap-on dealer that would never stock the double flare line wrenches. I asked him one day why.

He says he sells twice as many of the open end/flare end wrenches.

 

[xjfish]

A lot here already know this, but some of the less experienced may not; the open end is thicker than other open end wrenches Snap-on makes.

I learned something new today. I'm an experienced wrench turner. Do not own said set and now I kinda would like to.

 

[NHtoolguy]

Like many have said on this thread, I bought double-ended flare nut wrenches for the additional sizes versus the flare end/open end style. I have found that once the nut is loose, a standard-width open end (of which I have many), would run the nut in and out. That meant having two wrenches available, but in my poorer days I tolerated it. I did eventually buy a flare end/open end set with the "ratcheting" open end that allows faster repositioning. It was a bit of a luxury, and not really needed.

 

[Dave455]

A lot here already know this, but some of the less experienced may not; the open end is thicker than other open end wrenches Snap-on makes. Its not readily noticeable in pictures. This design helps with soft fittings where the flare end may not fit due to crimped ferrules, stacked fittings, etc.

If these are strictly for automotive, then I would recommend the double flare ends.
For use on machinery, equipment, plumbing/piping, or building maintenance the open end can be beneficial.

Keep in mind you will need twice as many of the flare/open wrenches to make a set.

Compared to a standard Snap-on combination wrench of the same size:

I was just going to say precisely this, but KnurledNut beat me to it!

In some situations, the thicker open end is possibly the better option.

Some pipe unions have much much taller fasteners, and the thicker open end allows you to use most of the height available.


Again, as KnurledNut correctly points out, sometimes you may not even be able to get a flare nut wrench past the fitting.

Some pipe unions, especially in hydraulic systems, have a round pipe fitting with just a couple of flats machined in. In such cases, the open end is the only tool that works, but the flats are almost always machined to accommodate the thicker open end of these wrenches, so I assume there is a standard for these.

Again, as KnurledNut says, most of these difficult fittings are found in industrial settings, rather then automotive.

I have the Snap On flare nut / open end and find them superb. If I was buying again, for tools to keep in my workshop, I would get these again.

If I was buying for exclusively automotive, I would probably go for double flare end. I would certainly do this if I was buying tools for mobile use.

 

[70staged]

I have both sets (snap on) and find myself reaching for the one with the opened end on one side. After I brake the line loose I use the otherside for speed.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

I like flare both sides. Not a pro always had to remove tire and liner to have easy access to brake lines on beater truck.

 

[finn]

I got so used to the double ended flare ones, that when I got a flare/open in a size I used a lot, I couldn’t stop putting it down to grab a combination wrench.

My experience, exactly.

I think I’m hard to retrain.

 

[Snapped-off]

Fat open end with the flare on the other side.

 

[jpaw]

I prefer the open-end/flare nut style.
The wide jaw of the open-end has saved many fittings/nuts for me through the years.

 

[txvwnut]

This is the garage journal so you are required to buy both sets. I never knew the open end combo version existed and I would prefer to have those over my double end line set.

 

[Kscardsfan]

This is the garage journal so you are required to buy both sets. I never knew the open end combo version existed and I would prefer to have those over my double end line set.

This is the way.

 

[Cheep]

I've done cars for the last 45 years, grab the double ended and a stubby open end for the remaining task at hand. Usually the length of the full size wrench gets in the way to finish the job.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

Thanks for the feedback - seems to be pretty close to a 50/50 split of opinions

 

[Dave455]

Thanks for the feedback - seems to be pretty close to a 50/50 split of opinions

I think the bottom line is that you can’t go wrong with either.

I’ve got flare nut wrenches from several other manufacturers, and normally would offer some advice regarding alternatives, but you have already decided to go with about the best of the new ones available, whichever option you go for.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

I think the bottom line is that you can’t go wrong with either.

I’ve got flare nut wrenches from several other manufacturers, and normally would offer some advice regarding alternatives, but you have already decided to go with about the best of the new ones available, whichever option you go for.

Thanks - it will probably come down to which set he has on the truck next Thursday

 

[alinc100]

I don't have a preference for one style over the other. I did just list a metric 10 piece set with the open ends on Facebook Marketplace. We will see if these sell quick or languish.

 

[impactims]

I don't see why a choice between the two needs to be made.

GET BOTH.

Sometimes you want/need to have an open-end flank drive AND the line wrench end at your disposal. Best to get this all in a single wrench to minimize how many tools you bring with you.

Other times you only want/need line wrenches, no need for open ended wrenches.

Getting both is a no brainer.

 

[ATC]

If you are doing A LOT of fittings, I would go with open/flare for the speed.

If not, get the flare/flare for 2 more sizes.

 

[1320]

In the toolbox in the shop, I have the open end/Flare combos. In the travel kit, I have the double Flare end wrenches.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

I don't see why a choice between the two needs to be made.

GET BOTH.

Sometimes you want/need to have an open-end flank drive AND the line wrench end at your disposal. Best to get this all in a single wrench to minimize how many tools you bring with you.

Other times you only want/need line wrenches, no need for open ended wrenches.

Getting both is a no brainer.

I see 282-296 reasons

 

[Dakotadadv8]

I like buying the sizes you need not the whole set.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

I like buying the sizes you need not the whole set.

I do that with a lot of Snap On tools.
Lately it's just been buying pliers I need, not whole sets

 

[liliysdad]

I like buying the sizes you need not the whole set.

I like having the sizes I need when I need them, not having to wait til I can get them.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

I do that with a lot of Snap On tools.
Lately it's just been buying pliers I need, not whole sets

Good plan, same took me awhile to upgrade to SO tools nice to have a Snap on truck nearby or online. Sockets and wrenches I bought whole sets, no skips. Liliysdad has a good point it is a PIA to wait for a tool if missing a size tool.

 

[liliysdad]

Good plan, same took me awhile to upgrade to SO tools nice to have a Snap on truck nearby or online. Sockets and wrenches I bought whole sets, no skips. Liliysdad has a good point it is a PIA to wait for a tool if missing a size tool.

I absolutely wait to buy specialty tools until I need them, but I don’t consider line wrenches a specialty tool….especially SAE for me. I have several sorts of SAE wrenches from SnapOn, Proto, and Bonney.

I don’t use metric enough to have more than just a bare bones basic set, and all my metric stuff is new and clean enough that an open end wrench will take care of the vast majority of my needs.

 

[rsanter]

I have both and use both.
sometimes you need more than one.

if I had to decide to get one set or the other I would buy the flare/open set.
why?
sometimes you may want to use the open end for brass or other materials that you may want the fatter head.
once you break a fastener loose, you can go faster with the open end.
you may get into a tight spot where you need the thicker head to not round a fastener.

 

[impactims]

I do that with a lot of Snap On tools.
Lately it's just been buying pliers I need, not whole sets

Pliers are far more flexible and versatile. One plier can be used for a wide range of things. With the wrench, when the need is there, only 1 specific wrench size will work. So it’s best to have the set of wrenches where as sets aren’t nearly as essential with pliers.

 

[impactims]

I see 282-296 reasons

At the end of the day, it not that much.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

I appreciate the input.
Just texted my SO guy and asked for this set ...



I am not a professional wrench turner - just a retired guy that fools with old cars and likes nice tools.

I already have full sets of Snap-On, Milwaukee, Craftsman and Icon combination wrenches. I'd rather have the additional sizes I get with this set.

I also have a set of old, made in USA, Craftsman line wrenches but want to upgrade.



Buying these for old US car brake and fuel lines - I don't fool with much of anything else.