Wright flare nut wrenches as good as SnapOn?

[Lt CHEG]

Wright grip combination wrenches seem to be pretty universally loved here on GJ, and they are well reviewed and regarded elsewhere also. Everyone here also pretty much says that the SnapOn flare nut wrenches are the best. My question is, while possibly not as common as SnapOn, are the Wright flare nut wrenches as good as SnapOn? They’re less expensive but not ridiculously so, but I would like to try some Wright stuff out, and thinking that the flare nut wrenches might be worth a shot down the road. For that matter does anyone have experience with Mac flare nut wrenches? I saw a set of Mac flare nut wrenches on Marketplace for a really good price, but if it’s something that I’m going to strongly prefer SnapOn over Wright or Mac, I’d rather just bite the bullet and buy SnapOn flare nut wrenches in the first place. I have a limited number of USA made Craftsman raised panel flare nuts and they definitely aren’t great but I don‘t really use them often so haven‘t upgraded yet. However, I am thinking that before too long I’d like to upgrade my flare nut wrenches so I’m looking for some good options. Thanks

 

[cavalry]

I have had both and saw no differance in performance between the two. I gave my wright set to a buddy, I really didn't need SO and Wright.

I will be an outlier and say I prefer SO to Wright in combination wrenches, I use both. They are a little more chunky in the open end to get in tight spaces, but I think they are more solidly built at the cost of access.

 

[Pig_Pen]

Yeah I was disappointed when Torque Test Channel didn't include these in his test.

 

[ybnormal]

well , if the price difference is not that much, and SO did come in first, why not just buy the SO's? after the TTC video, I found a set on eBay being sold by a pawn shop for a VERY reasonable price. it was like 7 or 8 of them for about $70-80, iirc

 

[Pig_Pen]

well , if the price difference is not that much, and SO did come in first, why not just buy the SO's? after the TTC video, I found a set on eBay being sold by a pawn shop for a VERY reasonable price. it was like 7 or 8 of them for about $70-80, iirc

Wright set is $130-135 and Snap On lists for $355 so there is quite a difference. The wright set is missing the 16-18 wrench though. Not a professional so not sure how common those are.

 

[ybnormal]

Wright set is $130-135 and Snap On lists for $355 so there is quite a difference. The wright set is missing the 16-18 wrench though. Not a professional so not sure how common those are.

dunno, but that's why I got my set from eBy from the pawn shop that was selling the tools. there was also a moneyback guarantee on the tools if they were found to be out-of-spec. so yeah, I got my set for about 25-35% of the original price

 

[Komet]

Realistically I think the nut that won't be turned with a Wright and will be turned with a Snap-on is a truly rare occurrence. The point is not to cheap out on your flare nut wrenches because you're often relying on them to do critical work. Personally I went with used Snap-on off ebay and have been very pleased with them.

 

[joel63]

Wright grip combination wrenches seem to be pretty universally loved here on GJ, and they are well reviewed and regarded elsewhere also. Everyone here also pretty much says that the SnapOn flare nut wrenches are the best. My question is, while possibly not as common as SnapOn, are the Wright flare nut wrenches as good as SnapOn? They’re less expensive but not ridiculously so, but I would like to try some Wright stuff out, and thinking that the flare nut wrenches might be worth a shot down the road. For that matter does anyone have experience with Mac flare nut wrenches? I saw a set of Mac flare nut wrenches on Marketplace for a really good price, but if it’s something that I’m going to strongly prefer SnapOn over Wright or Mac, I’d rather just bite the bullet and buy SnapOn flare nut wrenches in the first place. I have a limited number of USA made Craftsman raised panel flare nuts and they definitely aren’t great but I don‘t really use them often so haven‘t upgraded yet. However, I am thinking that before too long I’d like to upgrade my flare nut wrenches so I’m looking for some good options. Thanks

Stay calm and bite the bullet.

 

[jumbojak]

Wright set is $130-135 and Snap On lists for $355 so there is quite a difference. The wright set is missing the 16-18 wrench though. Not a professional so not sure how common those are.

I've seen 18mm fittings on GM power steering lines and John Deere seems to freaking love an 18mm head on their gators.

 

[qqzj]

Wright set is $130-135 and Snap On lists for $355 so there is quite a difference. The wright set is missing the 16-18 wrench though. Not a professional so not sure how common those are.

Just buy snap on from eBay. It’s not like they can counterfeit snap on

 

[jpaw]

As a life long tech I think they are overrated but if you want the best I would just buy the Snapon and be done.
Unless you are doing hydraulic work anything over 9/16"-15mm isn't really worth the investment. As a transmission tech I have dealt with my share of lines and most of the time my Snapon open-end wrenches work just fine. Yes there have been times where a line wrench has saved my ****.
Most of the time experience with knowing when to stop and take a different approach is more valuable than the wrench.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Snap-Ons are really quite nice. A very noticeable "tightness" compared to my SK's.

Also, you don't have to buy the whole set from Snap-On. Just buy the sizes you need.

-Ryan

 

[demarpaint]

Stahlwille flare nut wrenches are a great choice, I would check them out. Or if you have time and patience, SO comes up on Ebay from time to time at decent prices.

 

[mogandave]

Hold them and buy the ones you like the feel of.

 

[KnurledNut]

Hold them and buy the ones you like the feel of.

That may work for melons, but not sure how well that applies to flare wrenches.
Might just want to stick with the tried and true.

 

[Lt CHEG]

Sounds like the Snappys are overall still very highly regarded. I dont have any Wright wrenches, but I don’t know that I’d like them more than my Snappys - I love my SnapOn combination wrenches! Since I’m not in a rush, I’ll keep my eyes open for a good deal, one way or the other. Also, while it might not make the best financial sense I don’t know that I could just buy commonly used sizes without my OCD going crazy. My non ratcheting combination wrenches are US made Craftsman professional long pattern wrenches (I believe that they might be Armstrong’s?) and i never had a 20mm wrench. I don’t know that I’ve ever encountered a 20mm fastener, but I bought a 20mm SnapOn combination wrench for like $50 so that I didn’t have a skipped size in my wrench drawer. Similarly, I don’t know that I could handle a partial set of flare nut wrenches; the OCD struggle is real lol!

 

[Dakotadadv8]

My Snap-on ones worked very well replacing rusted brake lines on old pickup truck.

 

[bob15]

I have yet to have any of my Mac (some pre-Stanley-Proto), Bonney or Proto tubing wrenches fail on me (and I do own Snappy tubing wrenches as well) and I don't see you having any issues with the Wright wrenches either.

Buy the Wright tubing wrenches and move on in your life.

 

[n8n]

I'm interested in replies to this. I too have had bad luck with RP Craftsman flare wrenches. Now have Snap-On for SAE and S-K (somewhat recent Superkrome, but from the Ideal era, probably ~10 years old) for metric. If I ever needed to buy more I'd like to know who to recommend. It's probably an unpopular opinion but while I think Snap-On is quality, I actually prefer the thicker beams of the S-K as I tend to work without gloves.

 

[neophyte]

This was a test of flare wrenches done by the Torque Test Channel.
Yes, the Snap-On wrenches came out best.
If the space is available, Irwin ViceGrip V-jaw pliers came out really well as well, but only if the space to use them is available.
SK came out at the top of the other brands tested.
The Matco wrenches tested were new Taiwanese made versions, rather than the older US made wrenches.
No German or French or Italian made wrenches were tested, nor were Proto or Wright, or older flare wrenches with a decent following like Bonney.

 

[lynnbilodeau]

I worked in a shop where the guy on one side of me had Mac flare nut wrenches, and the guy on the other had Matco.
Whenever they felt like one was getting ready to round off, they would come borrow a Snap on from me.
Never used a wright flare nut wrench (have a few wright tools, and happy with all of them) because I bought my Snap on flare nut wrenches in the 70s and never have had an issue with them.

 

[csp]

If the space is available, Irwin ViceGrip V-jaw pliers came out really well as well, but only if the space to use them is available.

These are my choice, and if there isn't room, Plomb/Proto.

 

[tomshep]

I had RP Craftsman and they were excellent at rounding off nuts. Bought a set of MAC SAE flare wrenches off the truck and happy with them. Bought a set of Snappy Metric flare wrenches from ebay and very happy with them. They just fit. With my SAE were Snappy.

Tom

 

[Ricky Joe]

90% of what you do, any brand will be fine. 8% will require a good premium brand like Mac, Proto, probably your Wright. Of the other 2%, 3/4 of that will require Smap-On, and 1/4 won’t matter what you use due to the condition of the fasteners. Your experience may vary if you have rust issues in your area, but that is approximately my experience.

 

[n8n]

90% of what you do, any brand will be fine. 8% will require a good premium brand like Mac, Proto, probably your Wright. Of the other 2%, 3/4 of that will require Smap-On, and 1/4 won’t matter what you use due to the condition of the fasteners. Your experience may vary if you have rust issues in your area, but that is approximately my experience.

I grew up in PA, 100% of brake or power steering work requires top shelf flare wrenches there :/

 

[four.cycle]

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[cherrybomb]

I worked in a shop where the guy on one side of me had Mac flare nut wrenches, and the guy on the other had Matco.
Whenever they felt like one was getting ready to round off, they would come borrow a Snap on from me.
Never used a wright flare nut wrench (have a few wright tools, and happy with all of them) because I bought my Snap on flare nut wrenches in the 70s and never have had an issue with them.

Sometimes those little in shop experiences and situations we all learn something from that

 

[Dryriver1]

Hello to everyone! I hope all is well.

Great comments and experiences on this subject as I am in the process of getting a set of F. N. wrenches.

I really enjoy everyone's input as I feel we can all learn from our experiences, accomplishments, ideas, successes, and even our failures.

Thank you all!

Be well and stay safe out there.

Best wishes to you and all of your loved ones always!

Dryriver1

 

[chappys4life]

Snap On all the way. I work on old stuff and the Snap On just work. I bought mine on ebay or the Snap On site as I needed them one buy one. It hurts but they are just better

 

[u118224]

I have mostly Snap-On flare nut wrenches mixed with some Bonney. Like someone said earlier, EBay is your friend for Snap-On wrenches. I just replaced front brake lines on a really crusty Suburban and Bonney was the only option I had, I think it was 15MM. Anyway, I had no problem with the Bonney and those flare nuts were tiger tight. You really have to go out of your way these days to buy Bonney, but i was favorably impressed. I've also never had any issues with the Snap-On flare wrenches, they just always work. Just my .02, I'm sure the OP has bought something by now.

 

[a390st]

I have a set of older Cman Professional line wrenches that are mostly OK. My son has SO line wrenches and they clearly fit tighter and don't round nuts off.

I don't have Wright line wrenches, but Wright combination wrenches are great. I have many brands of wrenches including SO, and I like Wright as much or more than anything.

 

[bonneyman]

Never had any Wright flare tools but I've had a few Snappy's over the years and they are fantastic!

 

[lbhsbz]

I haven't used a wright flare nut wrench, but I have plenty of craftman raised panel, "professional" full polish, and Proto....and they all ****. I honestly don't know why I keep them. Snap on is the only one that works as it should. I do lots of brake lines...mostly 3/8", 7/16", 10mm and 11mm...Snap on is the best by a long shot. Don't bother trying anything else