Flare nut wrenches recommendations
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 512
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This is one of those areas where I decided spending the extra money for Snap on is worth it... So while most of my tools are Craftsman, my flare-nut wrenches are from Snap on. All it takes is one rounded off nut to make them worth it.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,248
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I have the Snap On flare tools, it will strip or round out the head too.
The trick is to put the flare tool over the hex nut, and give it a wack with a hammer or big wrench. If this dosent work, spray some rust inhibitor and let soak. Then try again. I have also used the SK's and Craftmans, and the old wack trick works every time.
The trick is to put the flare tool over the hex nut, and give it a wack with a hammer or big wrench. If this dosent work, spray some rust inhibitor and let soak. Then try again. I have also used the SK's and Craftmans, and the old wack trick works every time.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 482
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From: Colorado
You might go to your local HVAC supply house, Having worked in the hvac field for 20+ years a good flare wrench set is Pricless in the field. I purchased mine in 1982 and has had many hours of use. Mine are made Ridged.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 194
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From: North Dakota
I have SK flare wrench set and like them very much. But I do not use them anymore I just use my Snap On Flank Drive Plus wrenches and have not rounded off a fitting yet. But they are expensive I think start out at 23 dollars a wrench but well worth if you make your living with your tools.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,245
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I've had remarkably good luck with the polished flare wrenches made by Performance Tool. Yes, those are the ones sold at Pep Boys and Advance. They've got a fair amount of material around each end of the wrench which keeps them from flexing. The only drawback to this is that they tend not to fit into tighter areas. Still not bad for a $5 wrench.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,476
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From: Frequently frozen MN
Don't use them all that much, but I picked up a set by Allen tools. Used them on a brake job with some pretty crappy lines, and they were OK. I'm sure that $napon is better, but these seem OK for the home guy.
They were also cheaper than Craftsman, and at least as good.
ford2go
They were also cheaper than Craftsman, and at least as good.
ford2go
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 963
Likes: 1
From: wichita kansas
I don't use flare nut wrenches much but I did break my Craftsman flare nut on a brake line. It was the standard one and not the professional series though. I wouldn't rec the standard ones from my experience anyway.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2005
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When buying a flare line wrench, buy this wrench that makes contact on the line nut towards the outer middle of nut and not the ends, thus broader surface contact, make sure this wrench is a six point.
Snap on calls this "flank drive".
Craftsmans, SK, and other tool manufactures are manufacturing their tools (wrenches, sockets, and etc...) to meet those standards.
Snap on calls this "flank drive".
Craftsmans, SK, and other tool manufactures are manufacturing their tools (wrenches, sockets, and etc...) to meet those standards.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 512
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Originally Posted by Bart99GT
I've had remarkably good luck with the polished flare wrenches made by Performance Tool. Yes, those are the ones sold at Pep Boys and Advance. They've got a fair amount of material around each end of the wrench which keeps them from flexing. The only drawback to this is that they tend not to fit into tighter areas. Still not bad for a $5 wrench.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,245
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Originally Posted by Ian F
Hmm... I have those exact wrenches... not happy with them at all. The fit-tolerance is too loose for my tastes... and I nearly rounded off a couple of fittings with them... Metrics have been replaced with Snap-on... SAE soon to follow.
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