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[Webby the Bear]

sorry must type faster

[Andy B]

Mine was a serious question... Can't for the life of me remember what they're called, but essentially a six face ring spanner with an open face smaller than the side so that all six points drive the hex on the union/nipple

Metrinch?

[biggriffin]

Mine was a serious question... Can't for the life of me remember what they're called, but essentially a six face ring spanner with an open face smaller than the side so that all six points drive the hex on the union/nipple

flare wrench?

Trust webby to get all proper n technically  well dun bear 

[05omegav6]

The Bear wins...

Theses... 

[Webby the Bear]

 

need to really get a set myself 

[biggriffin]

need to really get a set myself 

I use mole grips, when spanners fail

[Andy B]

The Bear wins... ....

you don't need them for bleed nipples, they're obviously for unions where you need to go round the pipe 

[05omegav6]

True enough, but they purchase better than either a traditional or ring spanner...

[Nick W]

True enough, but they purchase better than either a traditional or ring spanner...

They might be better than a normal open ended spanner, but are nowhere near as good as a ring spanner.
I have some, but rarely bother with them as I find that seized brake fittings normally need new pipes anyway.

What you're thinking of are flank drive spanners which grip on the flats. I think that flank drive is Snap On's brand, but most good brands have something similar.

[TheBoy]

Mine was a serious question... Can't for the life of me remember what they're called, but essentially a six face ring spanner with an open face smaller than the side so that all six points drive the hex on the union/nipple

Flare spanner?

And utterly useless on seized nipples. Been there, done it, got DTM to pick up all the pieces afterwards

[TheBoy]

Must read page 2 before replying

But still not much cop on a seized one, even with molegrips either side to reduce any spread.

[deviator]

The biggest reason for failure is because the nipple cover has gone, water enters and it's game over.

I tend to use a 6 point socket to undo them (once wire brushed and lubed, both outside and in). I had one the other day, it took 10 minutes to get out and that did have a cover. I had to undo it a bit, spray, tighten, undo it a bit + a little more, spray..... you get the idea. It might take 10 minutes, but it's better than trying to find a rear caliper for a Pug 407 on a Sunday evening  (Or anytime/any part for a Pug)