Brake Line Flaring Tool Kit

rafter

rafter

Member
I'm going to switch over to juice brakes on my Model A and would like to know what brand or kind of flaring kit to get. I understand that you have to be careful flaring brake lines, and I want to get a good kit.
Thanks, Hank
 
Double flare is a 45 degree flare, single flare is a 37 1/2 flare.

If you have never done this before...get some help from someone with experience.
I got a Snap On flaring tool, others are available too, you want quality flares, and
if not formed correctly, the doubling of the flare can crack.
This is the tube bender I use from Ridgid about $60.00 easy to control, precision bends:
 
east wood sells the flaring tools. its fun to do just take your time on them accuracy makes all the difference. and continually tighten and loosen as you make you first seating and it will help conform the new flare. i bought a bending tool from sears that has a handle that moves to give you more controll over bending it was kind of expensive but its really nice.
 
They sell all diff diam and lengths of brake tubing already flared and have the fittings on them.Probebly no more pricy than buying the tools and doing your self. OMO ken ct.
 
ken ct said:
They sell all diff diam and lengths of brake tubing already flared and have the fittings on them.Probebly no more pricy than buying the tools and doing your self. OMO ken ct.
Click to expand...

I agree with Ken but would like to add after you have used a many standard lengths as possible go to a good brake shop and have them make the few remaining flares you need.

Charlie Stephens
 
I had lines flared at a local auto parts,that used a fixture that clamped the line on two sides.The flaring tool,had a squeeze handle,that pushed a die into the tube.I had problems with leaks,enough that I tightened connections,until I thought I would break some fittings.The last line I had flared there,had a slightly oval shape,compared to a professionally formed flare.This was my leak problem.
 
wga said:
Double flare is a 45 degree flare, single flare is a 37 1/2 flare.

If you have never done this before...get some help from someone with experience.
I got a Snap On flaring tool, others are available too, you want quality flares, and
if not formed correctly, the doubling of the flare can crack.
This is the tube bender I use from Ridgid about $60.00 easy to control, precision bends:
Click to expand...
I have the complete kit from ridged and I have had no troubles with the flares leaking. This kit works awsome.If you have trouble finding one the tube bender and flareing tool can be found at your home depo store.:cool:
 
I invested in a good 1/4" tube bender similar to the one shown in post above. Worked well. I did most of the lines for a '32 using the "stock" preflared lines from the local auto parts store. I also got the local store's "premium" flaring tool for the last few lengths and I managed to get it to work quite well. NAPA has some green stuff that's supposed to be easier to bend and flare but I didn't play with any of that. What ever you do, DON'T LOOK AT HOW THEY DO THE BRAKE LINES ON STREET RODS!!
 
PeteVS said:
I invested in a good 1/4" tube bender similar to the one shown in post above. Worked well. I did most of the lines for a '32 using the "stock" preflared lines from the local auto parts store. I also got the local store's "premium" flaring tool for the last few lengths and I managed to get it to work quite well. NAPA has some green stuff that's supposed to be easier to bend and flare but I didn't play with any of that. What ever you do, DON'T LOOK AT HOW THEY DO THE BRAKE LINES ON STREET RODS!!
Click to expand...

HUH?????? A stupid statement. I don't know what you have seen, but I use regular brake tubing with double flares on mine. How can you say this for all street rods???? Its quite apparent you haven't seen many street rods so you should not comment on what you don't know.
 
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rafter said:
I'm going to switch over to juice brakes on my Model A and would like to know what brand or kind of flaring kit to get. I understand that you have to be careful flaring brake lines, and I want to get a good kit.
Thanks, Hank
Click to expand...

I use a double flare tool made by K-D # 2190. I have had it number of years so I don't know if they still make it. Practically goof proof and makes a very nice double flare. Built four cars with it and never had a flare leak. Usually can get it in a parts store.
 
Charlie Stephens said:
I agree with Ken but would like to add after you have used a many standard lengths as possible go to a good brake shop and have them make the few remaining flares you need.

Charlie Stephens
Click to expand...

This is how I did mine. Only had to get one new flare done. Cheaper and easier. The hydraulics place did the flare for nix for me.
 
I have used a couple different flaring tools, my vote is for the Snap on quite goof proof. Important to ream the end of the tube with the right tool. Some types of tubing flare better than others. The benifits of making your own flares are that you can eliminate the unions you need to piece precut lengths togather for the long lines.
 
I use a flaring kit from Imperial Eastman nice kit.I also have several benders like the ones pictured.I agree on making your own,if you buy preset lenghts you usally have unions in line (yuck) or there too long and you try to use up the extra lenth with extra bends or curves in the line that don't need to be there.I like plumbing cars,if you take your time and use nice equipment it's not hard.I like to use a long piece of wire or coat hanger and make a template to copy,you will have much less waste.They also sell long pliers with curved ends for making really tight bends,they work great.
Joe
 
paul2748 said:
HUH?????? A stupid statement. I don't know what you have seen, but I use regular brake tubing with double flares on mine. How can you say this for all street rods???? Its quite apparent you haven't seen many street rods so you should not comment on what you don't know.
Click to expand...

Sorry to have offended you. Most of the street rods I've looked at use what looks to be 1/8" tubing with all kinds of pipe thread fittings and it usually looks like loose wiring just kind of stuffed into place. Also, they usually have the long bulk head fittings to get thru the boxed frames, skinny braided hoses, etc. What I've noticed doesn't do anything for me... If you're running 1/4" hard lines, I know that you've put a lot of effort into keeping one of the car's features "as it should be.
 
Not to hijack the orginal thread but most of the streetrods I have seen or done the plumbing is very nicely done,not original of course but at least safe.Now the rat rods that is another story.
Joe
 
most any reputable tool company kit will work rather well once you have it figured out. i suggest getting the kit you like--and then--- practice on some sacrificial line until you are comfortable with your work. then---get ur done!!
 
pete bs--- do you think that a 32 with stock peflared hydraulic brake lines makes it pass for stock? i would call it a streetrod the bonehead statements on this site just get better and better.
 
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