Flare Nut Wrenches

[Trav]

The steel on Cal Van stuff was okay, the fit was decent but the finish on them was always tier 2 or 3, a bit on the rough side but totally usable, I have a small puller from them them that is still good and its stone old. That being said you want pretty and good steel you pay a premium for it.
From the raised panel I suspect they were made by same company that made for Craftsman back in those days (maybe Easco), I suspect they are mid 1980's. Lets see how they are, for that money like I said they can become loaners.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Foe anyone just needing three common metric sizes for brake lines this could be something interesting.
Cal Van made in USA were not bad years ago and were commonly sold at NAPA. I don't own these but for $11 on the door why not, if nothing else they become loaners.

Cal Van



For $11 shipped I grabbed a set, even though I didn't need them.

 

[funflyer]

I prefer to use the crowfoot flare nut wrenches. They're much beefier and won't spread like the standard flare nut wrenches.

 

[dlundblad]

Originally Posted By: funflyer
I prefer to use the crowfoot flare nut wrenches. They're much beefier and won't spread like the standard flare nut wrenches.


I thought about that, but I don't think I'd have the room 9 times out of 10. I wouldn't have last week when replacing the fuel filter in my truck. The fatter part would be sturdier, but you sure lose real estate too.

If assembling a line prior to installation, I could probably get away with just using a box end.

 

[demarpaint]

I have both and I hardly ever use the crowfoot flare nut wrenches because of the thickness. Still they're good to have.

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: funflyer
I prefer to use the crowfoot flare nut wrenches. They're much beefier and won't spread like the standard flare nut wrenches.


I have them and hardly use them, too bulky for a lot of brake applications. They are okay for bigger lines where there is room and nice to have.

 

[BHopkins]

Originally Posted By: BigD1
Kobalt set I bought has been excellent. They are on sale at Lowes for 25% off until 4/18/17.

When the power steering pressure hose needed to be changed on my 94 Jeep with the 4.0, I just waited until the radiator needed to be replaced because it was lots easier to take the radiator out, and then cut the line, and use a deep socket to remove the rest of it.


Thanks for the lead on the sale. I ordered a set of metric and a set of SAE online last night, and picked them up today. Saved $10.

Flare nut wrenches are one of those things that you may go a long time without needing. At least for me. But when you do need them, it's real nice to have them on hand.

 

[Vikas]

I checked Cal Van against my best socket set on typical Honda 10mm various nuts/bolts. This may be an unfair test as I am comparing a 6 point socket against 5 point flare wrench but the wrench has too much slop. The finishing and general balance of the wrench is nice.

 

[dlundblad]

I ended up ordering the Protos and they came in today. They look great, but I need to try them out yet.

 

[dlundblad]

*deleted

 

[dlundblad]

Got to looking at the wrenches. 1 was Proto and the rest were Easco. Very sloppy fitting too IMO. It's funny because they even came in the Proto pouch.

 

[BigD1]

I reckon you are going to send that mess back.

The chrome on those look cheap. I think it's all fake.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: dlundblad
Got to looking at the wrenches. 1 was Proto and the rest were Easco. Very sloppy fitting too IMO. It's funny because they even came in the Proto pouch.




An eBay seller?

 

[dlundblad]

Amazon. The link Trav posted.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: dlundblad
Amazon. The link Trav posted.


I'm surprised, that seems [to me] more typical of eBay.

 

[Trav]

Those are not Proto, don't keep them. I bet someone did a switch of the wrenches and returned them, if no others are available at that price go with the SK
I may be wrong but I thought Danaher owned the Easco brand not Stanley B&D who owns Proto and AFAIK hasn't made tools in quite a while. At least you got them from Amazon not ebay so there will be no problem.

 

[dlundblad]

Yeah I was a bit shocked myself, but it's a 3rd party seller too. Amazon took care of it for us though. She bought them for me with her Amazon Prime account. (free shipping)

It's funny because they had 4 left for some time and 1 bought the one. Unless I am missing something, I think I am the only one that purchased a set within the week or so. Once they were contacted yesterday, they said the issue was just brought up to them an hour ago... yeah okay. They gave us a shipping label and return or exchange option. I just wanted to return them.

I'd say the company is definitely a scamming establishment.

 

[Trav]

Yeah they are scamming selling that, hopefully Amazon puts them on some sort of bad list, truth is though many people wont know the difference and just keep them.

 

[Carmudgeon]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
I checked Cal Van against my best socket set on typical Honda 10mm various nuts/bolts. This may be an unfair test as I am comparing a 6 point socket against 5 point flare wrench but the wrench has too much slop. The finishing and general balance of the wrench is nice.


But, are they still decent enough to take a chance on?

Or should I just run to Lowes and pick up the Kobalts?

I'll be replacing some old brake lines soon, and it will only be the second time in 25 years I've needed flare wrenches, so I just need something serviceable. Corrosion probably won't be an issue.

 

[BigD1]

I have used my set of Kobalt metric to work on the brake systems of my 1990 Volvo 240, 1992 Toyota truck, 1992 Cutlass, and a 94 Jeep. The Kobalt wrenches have not slipped one time. Really impressed with the grab on them.

Fixed this contraption on my 1990 Volvo 240, and it is just a wee bit bigger than a D size battery, and it has eight brake lines attached to it. Kobalt 11 mm never did slip, and those lines have never been serviced. Not my picture, but mine was its twin!