i need to pick up a new flareing tool kit to do my brake lines with. i had a basic kit (around $40) but it did not work all that great. line would push through , and ive lost some of the parts. so can anyone give me advice on a new set. is one better than the others. is there one that will flare stainless tubing? thanks james
The best one to get has only two parts, the tube holder and the flaring head. I got mine over at Sears some 20 years ago, and it still does the same job as when it was new. just never was brave enough to lend it out...... 8>) Maximo
I have this one: http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/MAS-71475.html it was definately not cheap, but I had to do brake lines on 2 cars, and fuel on one of them at the time, and it made the job very easy. I tried one of the cheap hand flaring tools first, couldnt get it to work well, and just decided to bite the bullet, spend the money, and get the Mastercool set, which should last a lifetime. Spend the money, and you wont be cussing when you ruin a line with a cheap flaring tool, this is a hobby, its supposed to be enjoyable, sometimes it cost a lot of money to avoid frustration.
A lot of guys swear by the Rigid brand sold at Home Depot, but I haven't used it. I have this one from, of all places, JC Whitney. http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...1+10201+600017944/c-10101/reviewflag-1#review and have had real good luck with it. Bill
I'm odd...I actually ENJOY flaring brake and fuel lines. When I was 17 (20 years ago...YIKES!) I bought this kit from Snap-on for just under $100. It's now $120, and is still worth every penny. It comes with a high quality tubing cutter, which is every bit as important as the flaring tool. Follow the instructions on the inside of the lid, and you'll have excellent results. In 20 years, on a '56 Chevy, '54 Buick, '57 Chevy and '62 Suburban, and a couple lines for other cars, I've never cracked a flare or had a problem, other than forgetting to put the fitting on the line before making the flare. (and I've done that just about every project!) http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1338&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog With the right tools, this is an easy job, and you'll get great results. And for all the tools you get in the kit (again--the cutter is very important, and much, much better than the cheap POS you get at Napa and even Sears), it's money well spent. -Brad
If you're doing stainless, check out places like Wicks Aircraft. They have really nice stuff and the prices are reasonable.
Check out the options in this tool effort, cause you know once you shell out the money for the one you want, there willbe one for less money that can do the same job.......lol......it never fails. I have a Craftsmen from long ago, forget the price I paid for it, but it still works fine for what I need.
Like everyone is pretty much saying, spend a little more and get a good one... I bought a 49$ one at napa, and it wouldn't flare a line for nothing. Took it back and spend another 50 and got a snap-on flare kit that produces really nice flares each time.
Believe it or not, the snap on man sells a blue point kit that's within $5 of the sears/home depot/lowes flaring tool. Except it's much higher quality and will even flare 3/8 steel. Good luck
rigid does the job well for me. even on heavy wall hydraulic line! i couldn't get hold of any regular line in a pinch i had to use it and everything worked fine. im with everyone else here in saying that this is something you shouldn't skimp on and buy a quality unit straight up
thanks guys . that why i ask about this tool . i plan on spending some money and want to get my money worth. the last one i had was a cheapo and didnt work well . with as many prodject i got i need a good one. thanks guys. james
Watch the video on Mastercool's site, to see how fast and easy their flaring tool works. Its a totaly different approach to the manual hand flaring tools. I have also used it while unerneath a car, and despite its size, its still so easy to use. Its one of the best tool purchases I have made. http://mastercool.com/pages/flaring_tools.html They are moving VERY slow in the video's, after a few uses, I can flare a line in half the time it took with a hand flaring tools. Most importantly, the Mastercool flaring tool doesnt care as much about the cut at the end of the tubing. With a basic hand flaring tool, if the line isnt cut perfectly 90 degree's, beveled on the in and out of the cut, they wont work, it will ruin the flare, and you start over. I still use a quality tubing cutter, and run a countersink in the end of the freshly cut tubing, but I dont drive my self nuts with prep. I have never turned out a bad flare with the Mastercool unit, and it takes less than half the time to make a flare with the mastercool than a hand flaring tool. It is WELL worth the investement.
I'm not a big fan of Snap-On due to the cost. "****TT", my Snap-On flare tool has flared countless tubes without fault. Oh ****, I'm a fan now
i've had the cheap ones and you have to clamp them in a vice to keep the tube from sliding. i like the mastercool one, but i don't have it.....get a good name brand. i have the blue point one and it works good.
I do rods for a living and I dont know how I ever lived without the mastercool style one I bought mine from the snap on dealer its in there 2007 catalog very fast and non leaking very uniform quality flares . Well worth the money , just used it today for 6 more brake lines Andy
Dont buy a cheap one! It will last for ever if you buy a good one and take care of it you will never have to buy another. my 2 cents!
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