Whether it’s for a holiday or birthday, this Tools Under 30 Dollars Gift Guide Series shows you important, yet somewhat uncommon, tools that any gearhead would want.
Today, let’s talk about Flare Nut Wrenches.
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You can find flare nut fittings on brake lines, fuel lines, household plumbing, and plenty of other places. And while you may be tempted to just grab the fittings with a regular wrench, don’t—unless you like rounded nuts.
As opposed to an ordinary wrench made from case-hardened steel, a flare nut wrench is typically made from a softer material to prevent you from damaging the nut. For a better grip, the flare wrench head wraps further around the nut than a traditional wrench too.
Many people, author included, have occasionally lucked out using regular wrenches on flare nuts. But try that on an old, corroded fitting and you’ve punched a one-way ticket to Roundsville (with stops at New Linesburg and Ruined Weekendia).
That’s why these wrenches are must-haves for anyone who works around any sort of plumbing. And these fittings come in a lot of different sizes, metric and standard, so it’s important to use the right one for the job.
A lot of folks don’t know about these tools, so they’re often a smart gift to give and receive. Better still, there’s a good chance you can find a set for under 30 bucks.
I’d suggest spending more money and buying a full set. Summit offers a Sunnex 16pc sae/metric set for around $70. I have this one in my “road box”. It’s well worth the price because of the variety of sizes.
[…] That’s why the tube tutors over at Classic Tube made this video to show you the importance of inspecting the flare fitting’s seats (mating surfaces) before grabbing your flare nut wrenches. […]