Good Enough? Flaring Question...

This is my first ever flare...is it good enough to use? It's for transmission cooler line.

 

Sorry, but I think it is going to leak. Flares are the damndest thing to get right. I have pretty much given up on making them. Now I just buy the pre-made lines and go from there.

Not to rain on your parade, just what I have had happen in the past.

 

It's hard to tell from here,I have a 4 fluted counter sink from harbour freight that I run in mine lightly to touch them up . maybe that will help ,maybe not. best of luck

 

DAMM get some help. please dont try any brake lines

 

I'm gonna tell you what you don't wanna hear. Cut that end off and put a proper double flare on that line even if you have to buy/borrow a tool to do it with. That flare you got there is a mess with pieces just barely hanging on. Even if it seals, if a piece of stray metal get's into your trans it's gonna ruin your day.

 

Looks like a leaker to me.

Don't be discouraged, though. Double flares are a ***** to make. Get yourself a GOOD set of flaring tools and spend some time practicing..... It's not impossible to learn, but it's pretty damn tough with ****ty equipment....

Rich
PS...I'm not trying to imply that you have ****py tools.....Just suggesting that you make sure you use the best you can afford.

 

Yeah, I think you have a leaker there. I found it extremely difficult to make a good flare with a cheap flaring tool. I have since bought a snap-on flaring tool and feel like a pro!

 

Just try it again! its not as hard as every one says, just don't twist too much and have too much material flared before the second flare thats the hardest part!

 

Like I said, it's the first one I've ever done. It's a Snap On. Most of these responses are what I was looking for, so it looks like it's not going to work.
I bought the pre-flared lines and in the process of bending them the way it needed to go it kinked after tweaking it a bit.
I guess I'll keep practicing with this piece.

I wish I could do everything perfect on my first try, like some people on here.

 

Buy a good double flaring kit and practice until you get good results. I've had an Imperial setup for years and other good sets are available. But like other things practice makes perfect. Don't use the one in your picture it will leak.

Sorry posted this before your above response. Snap-on double flare kit are very high quality. You have the tool, now it's just practice.

 

they're not that hard, but you gotta use a double flare. just make sure the line doesn't slip in the clamp. make it real tight.

 

If it were mine, I would be inclined to try again. As you look at the photo, the bottom appears to have a bit of an outward-running groove in it. It took me several attempts the first time I tried it. Like "llonning" says, they ARE the damdest things to get right! I found that making sure that the tube is at the proper height in the clamp and VERY SECURE helped me make the inital flare with good results and then proper alignment in the tube of the taper plus steady even pressure on the clamp screw to make the second lap of the flare made ones that looked almost factory. Just check it and take your time and you'll be OK! Regards, Dave.

 

Keep practicing. The hardest part is keeping it from sliding on the first step. Make sure you use the handle to tighten down the wing nuts.

 

That was from a snap-on tool? Is it a doubleflare tool? Are there little dies and stuff with the set for different sized tubing or is it just like a plumbers flare tool? A double flare tool has a depth gage and a die that goes inside the tube and it is a two step operation that makes the double flare.
Good luck, oj

 

Practice some and take your time. Get plenty of extra tubes. Might need to make 3-4 to get 1 good one until you get better at it. And then you might be able to get it down to 2 for every good one. I got the $350 hydraulic Snap-on tool and it helps but still a ***** and not nearly as easy as should be for that cost. Be very precise and clean with the tube cut. I even clean up with a file before I even try to make the flare. Be careful putting the tube into the tool and go easy and gentle making the flare. It will still be a pain in the *** and you will mess up a bunch. Don't bend tube until you make the flare. I use s****e or wire to make a quick mockup so I can figure out length tube needed, cut tube, make flares and then bend into final shape.

 

Isn't that what he's trying to do? Dumb***

 

It looks like you did a single flare from what I can tell from the picture and looks a bit wide. I'd do a double flare. It also looks like some fragments of metal around the face of the flare, if so, they can easily break off when you tighten it and clog the cooler or get into the trans.
If that's your first one, not too bad (I still would'nt use it though) you have the basic idea and may need to do a few more practice runs before getting one to work well. None of us made a perfect one on our first try either. I usually have good luck with 5/15 and 3/8 fuel line, but smaller brake lines are usually a hit and miss thing for me.
Here are a couple of good videos that may help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iEefnpckGI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkiG8CTZ5Po

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnQJIjM0EBo&feature=related

 

Ain't nobody done a flare right the first time! Keep practicing, try and make 'em as nice as the store bought ones. Make sure you cut the ends nice and square and deburr the cut. I use a tubing cutter, some guys have luck with a cut-off wheel. Use a little oil on the pieces, that seems to help. Even a good flare might weep a little the first time, back it off and crank it again the next day and they seat better.

 

I like the pre-flared straight sticks and unions or just a little rubber hose and a clamp. I once had a good flaring tool it was a KD from O'reilly, but they aren't what they used to be.

 

Don't believe everything that you read. Very few of us produce perfect results the first time out with any new tool and some practice a lot just to achieve mediocre workmanship. Spend some time learning on s**** material and you'll do fine.

 

That was really just in response the the one jack-off comment. I thank everyone else...

Believe it or not, it IS a double flaring tool that I used. I started by cutting the tube with a tubing cutter, then using the triangular attachment to s****e it out. Then the directions told me to chamfer the outside end around the tube. I couldn't find a file so I just grabbed my cut off wheel and went around the outside edge a bit. That's probably why it isn't so smooth. I only did it that way because it was bent and a bit of a pain in the *** to hold while I chamfered. For my practice pieces I'll try it out on a bench grinder.

Thanks for the advice. For the rest of this project I'll probably just get another pre flared tube.

 

Make sure you use lube when you flare. Night and day in the quality of the flare. And the other comment can clearly be cl***ified as "jack-off comment".

 

WHOAAA! get some practice before attempting brale lines.

 

Okay, couple of hints for you.

Your tubing cutter should/maight have a "triangle" blade attached to it...that's what you fold out to clean the inner diameter of the previously cut tube with, if not, then a small reamer will work, or a small counter sink.

I'd be hesitant to file it smooth, might be tough to blow out all the emery-like shavings from the tube.

So, if you're doing 1/4 inch line (same aplies to all sizes) let the tubing stick out 1/4 inch for the fist step in the flare, if doing 3/8th, then let it stick out 3/8th...etc., etc.

Also, After the tube is cut and reamed/etc, you blow it out with air, here's why, BEFORE you start the first flare step, put a dab or two of brake fluid on the tool and tube, do you step, take it apart, dab up the insert, etc, but the reason you blow it out first, is so the brake fluid you use as a lube, won't catch any metal and keep itin the system.

Also, when tightening down the handle, once itbottoms out...STOP...go nofurther, more isnot better, and especially rue on the last step for the double...over crank it, and you run the risk ofcrackingit.

Once done, ifyou detect even the slightest crack/tear, start over.

Oh...and two more things...

Make sure you put the nut on first....

And make sure it's orienetd the correct way!

You'll get it, tough to try it out by yourself without help, but once you do it right, you're good forever!

 

like most others have said
1. Cut the line flush, use the tool s****e the inside of the line,and make sure its square.
2. When you put the line in the clamp, the line should stick up the same amount as the shoulder of the die you are using.Just the shoulder height not the whole height of the die, this is the important part that some will overlook.
3. Crimp the line down until you feel a good amount of pressure, not until your fingers turn white.
4. Remove the die and repeat step 3.

It takes alittle practice but its one of those things that once you learn it, you know what to look for the next time you do one.

 

You have to clamp it in a vise, and yeah, lube it too!

 

Read posts 25 and 26 a half dozen times each. Good advise from both of them and I even learned something from them.

Don't let anyone kid you. If a guy hasn't screwed up making double flares on tubing he hasn't done many double flares. I've made hundreds over the years taught countless kids how to do them and what not but I can still screw one up with the best of them. All I can say is practice when you can on s**** pieces of tubing and pretty soon you will get some good flares going.

 

I second what 53seld said as far a the straight sticks fro the auto store and unions. I won't use hose and clamps, even though a transmission line is under low pressure.

Anyway, the unions are readily available from any shop that sells and repairs hydraulic hose. Just cut you tubes with a tubing cutter and tighten the union.

 

Well, I watched all three of the Youtube videos that were posted and not a one showed anyone chamfering the outside edge of the tube after it was cut. The directions on this flaring tool (the only source of info when I tried that flare) STRESSED the importance of chamfering, saying something to the effect of "it is an essential step that cannot be skipped or the flare will not be correct." So much for reading the directions. That's the reason it's all jagged, from trying to chamfer it.

Oh well, I bought a new 5' section of pre flared stuff and I'll bend it up whenever I get a chance to get out there again.

 

DEY...the most important thing is, get the flaring tool centered has good as posible. then flair that baby, if it feels smooth inside, then your good to go...POP.