Which Flare Nut Spanners?

kinobestew123 · 12 Mar 2014 at 11:04

Hi everyone

I'm looking to buy a set of flare nut spanners, the type that are used to undo brake line/hydraulic lines, etc.

At the weekend I had big problems trying to undo one that was seized and I reckon a set of these would have helped. Although it's a bit late now, I reckon buying a set now would be a good idea as i'll no doubt use them many times over my life.

I'm not wanting to spend a fortune, but at the same time I want something which isn't going to bend when using a bit of force.

Would something like this be any good?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-Cr...Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item257fa4a664

Or would I be better off with a set of actual spanners:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BERGEN-7p...t=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item43bf53ee97

Recommend away!!

Concrete · 12 Mar 2014 at 11:13

I bought a horribly cheap set of Ebays finest crows feet spanners for doing brake lines, even cheaper than the ones you posted. They've been fine everytime I've used them, so those ones should be fine.

tigerstyle · 12 Mar 2014 at 11:28

I'd go for the Bergen spanner style ones, stronger and less faff to use.
You mention hydraulic lines, as in bigger agricultural stuff or just for home automotive use? As I doubt you'd need a big set of flare spanners for home use, I've only got one, it just happens to be the one I need for my brakes

kinobestew123 · 12 Mar 2014 at 11:37

Thanks guys, it's just home automotive use. Nothing industrial. I did brake lines at the weekend on a Fiesta ST and i'm changing the slave cylinder on the clutch line of a BMW e36 this weekend so would quite like the right tools for the job.

If the cheapie ones are strong enough to not bend outwards then it sounds like they're spot on. I was afraid the cheap ones might not be able to grip enough.

rodenal · 12 Mar 2014 at 11:59

must admit i only own two, both bought for brake lines. Cheap and have lasted through their minimal abuse well

Dogbreath · 12 Mar 2014 at 12:02

If you are going for flare nut spanners, then go for 6 point ones as stuck flare nuts are inevitably corroded giving a 12 point spanner more chance of slipping.

You can actually get flare nut ratchet spanners but they aren't cheap.

tigerstyle · 12 Mar 2014 at 12:11

Dogbreath said:
If you are going for flare nut spanners, then go for 6 point ones

Good call, I didn't spot the Bergen ones are 12point, mine is just a normal Draper 6point one iirc.

kinobestew123 · 12 Mar 2014 at 12:26

That's true, I was thinking the 6 point ones might be better. I saw these ones:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6pc-Flare...t=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item4d19cb0e2d

But the set is missing 9mm and 11mm, arn't they the most common sizes of brake lines flare nuts?

I'm tempted to just go and get this one:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_217560_langId_-1_categoryId_165469

The ratchet ones are lovely but probably a bit too much for my light home use. If money was no object then i'd be all over them though.

kinobestew123 · 12 Mar 2014 at 12:32

These are looking promising though, any thoughts on these?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TM-US-PRO...Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item417c2467f1

GhostWKD · 12 Mar 2014 at 12:34

Well that's a new one on me, didn't even know you could get 12pt flare nut spanners.

I've got a 2 single ones from halfords, think they're 9/11mm and 10/12mm which have covered everything I've had to do in the past and they've taken a fair bit of abuse with heavily corroded nuts etc

Edit: New link above looks like it could be worth a try though

bledd · 12 Mar 2014 at 12:42

Halfords / Machinemart

Get 6 sided ones

Matt82 · 12 Mar 2014 at 13:20

machine mart set has done me well, but try and get a set with an 11mm in there too

pepsilol · 12 Mar 2014 at 13:21

Halfords Pro Halfords Pro Halfords Pro Halfords Pro Halfords Pro Halfords Pro Halfords Pro Halfords Pro Halfords Pro Halfords Pro Halfords Pro Halfords Pro Halfords Pro Halfords Pro Halfords Pro Halfords Pro Halfords Pro Halfords Pro Halfords Pro Halfords Pro Halfords Pro Halfords Pro Halfords Pro Halfords Pro

kinobestew123 · 12 Mar 2014 at 13:37

I know I know

, I like the Halfords Pro stuff too. I have the 150piece set from there. Unfortunately they don't do a set of the spanners though, only individual ones which is a shame. If they did a full set that would have been my first choice.

Agreed with the 11mm. I've just had a quick look on machinemart and I can't see a set of 6 point ones with a 9mm and 11mm included, is anybody able to link me to a set?

bledd · 12 Mar 2014 at 13:49

Don't think Clarke make a 9/11, which is why I bought mine from Halfords iirc..

<3 Clarke

InvaderGIR · 12 Mar 2014 at 13:56

I bought one of these when I was working on the E30, dunno if it was from that seller but it was super cheap and does the job. It's 6 sided and it doesn't have chamfered edges on the cup part unlike some others. Perfect for doing the lines on the car at home.

pepsilol · 12 Mar 2014 at 14:54

kinobestew123 said:
I know I know , I like the Halfords Pro stuff too. I have the 150piece set from there. Unfortunately they don't do a set of the spanners though, only individual ones which is a shame. If they did a full set that would have been my first choice.

Agreed with the 11mm. I've just had a quick look on machinemart and I can't see a set of 6 point ones with a 9mm and 11mm included, is anybody able to link me to a set?

Go to Bergen then. Their tools are actually very very good.