18 mm 6-Point Metric Y-Shank Interchangeable Flare Nut Head – QYRXSM18A

The metric flare nut head QYRXSM18A belongs to the Snap-on interchangeable metric flare nut heads range, and Lost in HCM supplies it to workshops and factories across Vietnam. It uses the Y (0.560") shank size, so it fits handles built for that shank. Its maximum recommended working torque is 94 ft-lb, about 127 N·m.

Metric flare nut head QYRXSM18A overview

Metric tube nuts are often soft, so they round off fast when a tool grips only two flats. The metric flare nut head QYRXSM18A solves this because its 6-point ring wraps the nut and spreads the load. It also turns a click wrench into a calibrated line wrench in seconds.

Snap-on designs these heads for CDI preset and adjustable interchangeable head torque wrenches, and they suit Snap-on bodies with the same shank. For example, a Y-shank head needs a Y-shank wrench body. Most sizes also carry a lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship.

Snap-on lists the country of origin as USA. The o.d. is 30 mm. The size is 18 mm.

The head depth is 12 mm.

Specifications at a glance

These figures come from the Snap-on listing for QYRXSM18A. Values marked “calculated” are unit conversions we added for convenience.

How the metric flare nut head works

A plain open-end wrench touches two flats, so the load lands on the nut corners. By contrast, a 6-point flare nut ring touches most of the flats around the nut. As a result, the force spreads out and soft brass or steel fittings keep their shape.

Each head also has its own maximum recommended working torque, which may sit below the wrench rating. For instance, J-shank heads top out at 60 ft-lb even on a larger wrench. That is why you set the wrench at or below the head limit and check the manual.

Key features of the metric flare nut head QYRXSM18A

The details below explain why these heads protect soft metric fittings and fit tight spaces. They also show what to check before you add a new head to your existing wrench set.

• Six-point flare nut ring. The 6-point ring contacts the flats of the tube nut rather than its corners. Therefore, the head spreads the load and lowers the risk of rounding soft metric fittings.
• Slotted opening for tubing. A slot through the ring lets the head pass over brake, fuel, and hydraulic lines. As a result, you can reach a tube nut on an installed line without cutting the tubing.
• J and Y shank sizes. The family comes in J (0.425 inch) and Y (0.560 inch) shanks. So you can run light fittings on a J-shank wrench and heavier fittings on a Y-shank body.
• Published working torque limits. Snap-on lists a maximum recommended working torque for most sizes, from 17 ft-lb up to 113 ft-lb. That figure tells you how far to set the wrench before the ring risks spreading.
• Common metric line sizes. Sizes run from 8 mm up to 20 mm, which covers most metric brake and fuel nuts. Because of this, one wrench body plus a few heads handles many line fittings in a shop.
• Thin head depth. Listed head depths range from 7 to 13 mm, depending on size. Thin heads slide between a fitting and a bracket, while thicker heads give the larger sizes extra strength.

Typical applications

A flare nut head earns its place where a socket cannot reach and an open-end wrench would slip. The tasks below are the most common uses we see from buyers in Vietnam.

• Brake line tube nuts. Brake lines on metric vehicles use small 10 to 12 mm tube nuts that round off easily. A flare nut head grips them on the flats, so you hit the spec and avoid a leak.
• Fuel line fittings. Fuel fittings need a tight seal without a crushed flare. Therefore, a calibrated flare nut head lets technicians hit the stated value instead of judging by feel.
• Hydraulic tube connections. Hydraulic systems on loaders, presses, and lifts use metric tube fittings in many sizes. The Y-shank heads suit the larger nuts, because their ratings reach above 100 ft-lb.
• Air conditioning flare joints. Copper flare nuts on air conditioning and refrigeration lines need controlled torque to seal without cracking the flare. For example, a J-shank head gives fine control at low values.
• Cooler and steering lines. Transmission cooler and power steering lines often sit close to the frame or engine block. Thanks to the thin ring, the head slips into tight gaps where a crowfoot would not fit.
• Production line quality checks. On assembly lines, a preset interchangeable head wrench with a flare nut head gives every operator the same result. In addition, the click signal makes each tightened joint easy to confirm.

Industries that use the metric flare nut head QYRXSM18A

Any sector with fluid lines, brakes, or hydraulics on metric machines needs controlled torque on tube nuts. So these heads show up in workshops, plants, and job sites. Here is how each industry uses them.

• Automotive service. Dealers and fleet workshops torque brake, fuel, and cooler lines on Japanese and Korean models every day. In Vietnam, many FDI fleet operators require documented torque values, so calibrated heads help them pass audits.
• Motorcycle and vehicle assembly. Vehicle and motorcycle plants in northern Vietnam fit metric brake and fuel lines on every unit. Therefore, preset wrenches with flare nut heads give each operator the same torque on each joint.
• Heavy equipment maintenance. Excavators, cranes, and forklifts from Japan and Korea use metric hydraulic tube fittings. For this reason, contractors in Vietnam use Y-shank heads to tighten pressure lines without rounding the nuts.
• HVAC and refrigeration. Chillers and split systems use copper flare nuts that crack or leak when overtightened. Contractors serving factories and offices in Vietnam's industrial parks use these heads to seal joints at the correct torque.
• Factory maintenance. Plants in Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Bac Ninh run metric machines with hydraulic and coolant lines. Maintenance teams also need tools that leave a clear torque record for ISO audits.
• Energy and power plants. Turbines, compressors, and generator sets use tube fittings on lube oil and instrument lines. So power plant crews in Vietnam use flare nut heads to tighten these lines without rounding costly fittings.

Metric flare nut head QYRXSM18A compared with similar brands

Before you buy, compare the metric flare nut head QYRXSM18A with other metric head systems. However, the head is only part of the choice. Instead, the key question is whether it fits the wrench bodies your team already owns and calibrates.

If your team already uses Snap-on or CDI interchangeable head wrenches, these heads are the simplest choice. They lock into the bodies you own and carry published limits. Even so, confirm current specs with each maker before you compare head ranges. Specifications change over time, so confirm current data with each maker before you decide.

Choosing the right model

• Start with the shank of your wrench body. A J-shank wrench takes only J-shank heads, while a Y-shank wrench needs Y-shank heads.
• Measure the tube nut across its flats before ordering. Metric and inch sizes look close, but a loose fit will round the nut under torque.
• Compare the fitting spec with the head rating. For example, an 80 ft-lb spec needs a Y-shank head, because J-shank heads top out at 60 ft-lb.
• Check the rating line on each product page. If Snap-on lists no working torque for a size, ask us to confirm the limit before you use it.
• Check the clearance around each fitting before you choose a head. If the nut sits close to a bracket, pick the size with the lowest head depth.
• Plan a set when one wrench body serves many jobs. That way, technicians switch heads instead of reaching for an uncalibrated line wrench.

For other sizes in the same range, compare 14 mm 6-Point Metric J-Shank Interchangeable Flare Nut Head – QJRXSM14A, 16 mm 6-Point Metric Y-Shank Interchangeable Flare Nut Head – QYRXSM16A, 19 mm 6-Point Metric Y-Shank Interchangeable Flare Nut Head – QYRXSM19A, 8 mm 6-Point Metric J-Shank Interchangeable Flare Nut Head – QJRXSM8A. Also browse the full Snap-on torque tools shop for handles, testers and adapters.

Care, storage and calibration

• Store each head in a drawer slot or case, away from loose tools. Then the slot edges and shank stay free of nicks that affect fit.
• Wipe off brake fluid, oil, and dirt after each job with a dry cloth. Also check the slot for burrs, because a burr can mark soft fittings.
• Send the wrench body for calibration every 12 months or 5,000 cycles, as ISO 6789-1:2017 recommends. We can arrange recalibration through an accredited laboratory.
• Never set the wrench above the head's maximum working torque. Too much load can spread the slotted ring, so retire any head that shows a widened opening.
• Carry heads in a padded case when you move between sites. In addition, keep the case dry in the rainy season, so the finish and shank stay clean.

Frequently asked questions

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