Flare nut wrenches
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 984
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
I may say, if they don't fit quite right, perchance you need metric vs standard, or the other way around. Both are close, but neither are correct for the other application. Flar nut wrenches don't spread by design, and if they simply do not fit, or are rounding off nuts, you're using the wrong one. Grab the opposite set from what you have. Metric vs standard, that is.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
From: Powell River, B.C.
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S-K are a lot cheaper... about $51 from thetoolwarehouse.com.... anyone have any experience with these?
I've had a fair bit of expreience with SK and I think that they're right up there with the best of tools. Getting warrenty is more difficult though. Snap-on has the trucks and Sears has the stores.
Pat
S-K are a lot cheaper... about $51 from thetoolwarehouse.com.... anyone have any experience with these?
I've had a fair bit of expreience with SK and I think that they're right up there with the best of tools. Getting warrenty is more difficult though. Snap-on has the trucks and Sears has the stores.
Pat
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 2
OK - I'll ask another question on this line. Are the flare nuts on '93 Ford trucks metric or SAE?
My past, poor, experiences with Craftsman flare nut wrenches was with SAE fittings. I know they were SAE as there were no metric sizes at all on the vehicles I worked on. I will not cut Craftsman any slack because most of the tube nuts I worked on were somewhat rusty. I recently needed to use them on a water hydrant packing nut, absolutely no rust, and they were as inadequate there as on any automotive fitting.
My past, poor, experiences with Craftsman flare nut wrenches was with SAE fittings. I know they were SAE as there were no metric sizes at all on the vehicles I worked on. I will not cut Craftsman any slack because most of the tube nuts I worked on were somewhat rusty. I recently needed to use them on a water hydrant packing nut, absolutely no rust, and they were as inadequate there as on any automotive fitting.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Southwest Montana
The worse the condition of the flare nut or especially the water hydrant packing nut ( 3/4" & made of brass) the more the need for a snap- on FN wrench. when they are rusty try tightening them just a smigen before you try to break them loose. Granted Snap on wrenches are prohibitivley expensive, some stuff just works where others dont
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 743
Likes: 2
From: Stoughton WI.
Snap On
I have the snap on FN wrenches aand they work very good. Buying the craftsmans is a waste of $. Using a craftsman on a FN is a waste of time. IMO. 
Most of my tools are craftsman and some snap on. Tim R.
Most of my tools are craftsman and some snap on. Tim R.
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Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
The Craftsman wrenches I have "fit" the SAE flare nuts fairly well. The steel they are made from just has the wrong heat treatment and they lack the strength to hold the nut without spreading and losing their grip when torque is applied. They are just defective. Heat treatment seems to be one of the places that "cheap tool" makers cut corners. It is also one of the more difficult parts of the manufacturing process.
Bigrigfixer says his Husky wrenches work and they should not be expensive. Another user has had Craftsman FN wrenches that worked and two more have not. Other users liked their Proto wrenches.
Bigrigfixer says his Husky wrenches work and they should not be expensive. Another user has had Craftsman FN wrenches that worked and two more have not. Other users liked their Proto wrenches.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
I've found with FN fittings, (or any nut for that matter), if I tap the wrench with my hammer it'll break loose easier than just pulling it. Sometimes just the impact of slapping it with my hand does the trick. I haven't rounded one off in years, but then we don't have the rust problem I've seen in other parts of the country.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 20
I checked my set after I found them. They are K/D with the odd sizes filled in with Craftsman, noticed that the heads are thicker than standard wrenches. I know Craftsman at the time was cast by Singer sewing machines. Never had in problem with them, and I was using them in the Midwest. Bought them round thirty years ago, not to show my age, think I was four or five when I bought them 
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 0
I too have found the older Craftsman tools, even ones from 10 years ago, are of better quality than what is being passed off now. I recently bought a 1/2 drive u-joint, and the fit on the male end is so-so at best. With some sockets it doesn't even completely seat itself. Oh well, I still beat the crap out of them because I know if I break one, a replacement is only a short drive away. I shattered two 1/2" drive breaker bars in the same day and the guy at the counter didn't even flinch...nor did the damn hub nut I was trying to break loose either! (It later required a impact gun rated to 650 lb/ft to break it loose...spec on this thing was 180 lb/ft, gotta love it when someone breaks out the heavy duty impact to replace a damn CV joint)
I had an older Craftsman 3/8" drive ratchet, but sadly it stripped out after who knows how long. At least the store where I traded it out at was out of the standard ratchets and I got one of the more stylish "pro" ratchets in its place.
I had an older Craftsman 3/8" drive ratchet, but sadly it stripped out after who knows how long. At least the store where I traded it out at was out of the standard ratchets and I got one of the more stylish "pro" ratchets in its place.
