Flare nut wrenches?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: I KNOW JESUS... HE'S MY GARDENER
Flare nut wrenches?
I have a "cheap" set of flare nut wrenches. When used on stubborn fittings, the wrenches tend to flex and eventually slip.
Does anyone have a quality set of flare nut wrenches (Snap-On, MAC, etc.) and do these wrenches flex under pressure? I'd like to know before I bite the bullet and spend $$$ on a good set.
Does anyone have a quality set of flare nut wrenches (Snap-On, MAC, etc.) and do these wrenches flex under pressure? I'd like to know before I bite the bullet and spend $$$ on a good set.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 278
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Flare-nut wrenches are NOT supposed to be used in all situations as you would a standard open-end or box wrench. They are mainly designed for tubing/pipe nuts such as you find on fuel lines, etc.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Smalltownville Michigan
Cruise-In 5, 6 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by KenSny
Flare-nut wrenches are NOT supposed to be used in all situations as you would a standard open-end or box wrench. They are mainly designed for tubing/pipe nuts such as you find on fuel lines, etc.
fuel and brake lines should have significantly less torque, hence the flare nut wrenches... if they are tight enought that they make the wrench flex, they are definitely too tight!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
I've had a set of relatively cheap Kay Bee tools flare nut wrenches for decades. I use them as they're designed....for brake and fuel lines only. I never "crank" on 'em or abuse them. They'll last me forever.
Reminds me of a story. A neighbor asked to borrow my Snap On "clicker" torque wrench for a project. I went down to his house one day and found him using it as a breaker bar.
Amazingly, he didn't screw it up too badly. I had it recalibrated.
If you're cranking on flare nut wrenches enough to bend them, something isn't right.
The moral to the story is "don't abuse your tools" Chuck
Reminds me of a story. A neighbor asked to borrow my Snap On "clicker" torque wrench for a project. I went down to his house one day and found him using it as a breaker bar.
Amazingly, he didn't screw it up too badly. I had it recalibrated.
If you're cranking on flare nut wrenches enough to bend them, something isn't right.
The moral to the story is "don't abuse your tools"
Chuck
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Race Director
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Originally Posted by Chuck Gongloff
Reminds me of a story. A neighbor asked to borrow my Snap On "clicker" torque wrench for a project. I went down to his house one day and found him using it as a breaker bar.
Chuck
ChuckI have a set of Craftsman line wrenches. They seem to be pretty good quality and have been used several times now.
If I would have caught him using my torque wrench like this I would have probably had to say something right then. Never use a torque wrench as a breaker bar.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,493
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From: Little Rock AR
I have some cheapies. They suck. I put a vise grip over the outside of the tool in an effort to keep them from opening up and it helps save the nuts. Some times you just gotta make a new line though.
-Mark.
-Mark.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Guam
Originally Posted by BigBlockk
Snapon and Craftsman have good wrenches but remember you're not suppose to take cylinder heads off with them.
BigBlockk
Later.....
BigBlockk
Later.....
I sometimes cheat and use them on long studded nuts....it's much better than an open ended wrench.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: I KNOW JESUS... HE'S MY GARDENER
I'm not a dummy. I know how/when to use flare nut/line wrenches. And, anyone who regularly works on 30 yr. old cars knows that stuff gets stuck, including brake lines, bleeder screws, radiator/transmission fittings, etc. If a flared fitting is "stuck" and you're using your flare nut wrench on it, and the flare nut wrench flexes, then what the "F" are you supposed to do??? Hence my question.
Thanks for the replies.
Thanks for the replies.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Clayton NC
Another vote for Craftsman... I've actually got two sets.. One of the dull shine and another chromed.. Although has anyone else noticed that the recent tools from Craftsman seem to not be as "ROBUST"... ie.. I was putting some medium torque on a nut and it left marks on the wrench's open end...Dave..
Race Director
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From: Taylor Michigan
Your brand names have a full warrantee with them. Cheap imported wrenches are a waste of money and sometimes could hurt you. 
Bloody knuckels.
Bloody knuckels.
Last edited by Ironcross; Jul 3, 2005 at 12:51 AM.
Race Director
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From: Calif.
Personally I have never met a flare wrench that was worth a crap--Craftsman, Snap-On or whatever. They ALWAYS make a simple job a complicated, nut-rounding, knuckle-busting exercise in mayhem and colorful language. Waste of money, IMO.
Race Director
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From: San Francisco CA
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by SkunkApe
If a flared fitting is "stuck" and you're using your flare nut wrench on it, and the flare nut wrench flexes, then what the "F" are you supposed to do??? Hence my question.
Thanks for the replies.
Thanks for the replies.
Ran into the same problem with both transmission cooling lines and brake lines. They freeze solid because some gorilla overtightened them. So, the line wrenches flex and end up rounding the nut. In that case I find it's better to get vice grips with the flat mouth and clamp it on. Just not so hard that it deforms the line, just get a good solid grip on the faces of the nut.
Race Director
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From: Taylor Michigan
Originally Posted by The Dude
Personally I have never met a flare wrench that was worth a crap--Craftsman, Snap-On or whatever. They ALWAYS make a simple job a complicated, nut-rounding, knuckle-busting exercise in mayhem and colorful language. Waste of money, IMO.
Actually I believe they are correctly or commonly called line wrenches
Last edited by Ironcross; Jul 3, 2005 at 02:13 AM.
Safety Car
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From: St. Charles IL
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
A CI-6 Car Show Winner
I have broke my Craftsman line wrenches in various sizes over the years, but have never had an issue where I'm rounding nuts off from flex. Try some heat on the nuts if they are real stubborn or rusted in place.