Who makes a good double flaring tool?

I haven't bought one in years, so I haven't been looking. I opened mine up today and the sized dies are missing! Someone didn't return everything they borrowed, but I needed a new one anyway. Who has had experience with a good one? Thanks, Rob

 

I have a old, used and abused Ridgid double flaring set that still works like a champ. If I were get another one it would be a Ridgid.

 

I like my imperial brand .

 

I recently picked up an OTC double flaring tool to replace my worn Snap-on/bluepoint unit. it works as well as any.
The new hydraulic units are the cats pajamas but the cost ($300) is too steep for me.

 

I have a KD that is 30 years old. It does the job. I looked at the hydraulic unit also but passed after seeing the price.

 

I've got one of the hydraflare units (rebadged as a Napa tool) I wouldn't give it up for anything. More money than I should have spent at the time.

The only issue is that the clamp for the die really needs to to be tightened, I replaced it with a bolt and used a wrench otherwise it would slip and push the tubing back thru the die.

Perfect flares and push connect fittings.

Ron

 

If you're just doing brake line, cheap ones will work fine. Craftsman or parts store. But 5/16 or 3/8 fuel line will push right through instead of flaring.

For about $10 more than the cheapie, your local snap on man has a blue-point on his truck that will also flare steel fuel line. Well worth the $10.

good luck

 

Mastercool Hydraulic ... a fair amount of $$$ but like said above ... they are great ...

http://i6.ebayimg.com/03/i/07/2f/5e/f7_1.JPG

On eBay for less than $300.00

Go here for the video ...

http://www.mastercool.com/media/71475_video2.wmv

 

This is the one I have http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=14790&itemType=PRODUCT Got it from the local tool guy cheaper than Eastwoods site and works awsome. Wouldn't trade it for anything. Well maybe one the same style that does AN flares also.

 

I have an old Blue Point set and it works great.

The cheaper sets don't grip the tubing well while you're smashing the bubble shape during the first part of the flaring operation. If it doesn't grip, it just slides through and shreds the plating off the tubing -- pretty much ruining the tubing and you'll be swearing at it and getting all pissed off and wishing you had bought a good one.

A lot of the cheaper sets look pretty much the same as that Blue Point set, but they're not the same -- just cheap ripoff copies. They don't grip the tubing well. They might work for one or two flares, but after a while the serrations in the blocks that hold the tubing won't grip anymore, and/or you'll break the little tips off the dies.

 

I have a K-D. Just about goof proof and makes a good double (and single) flare.

 

Mastercool. Pricey, but a dream. Good price and quick delivery at The Tool Warehouse.
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/sea...&storeid=toolswai&GoSearch.x=18&GoSearch.y=13

 

have a blue point unit...don't go cheap on this tool.

 

Blue Point is the one I have. DO NOT GET THE SUMMIT RACING ONE! Absolute crap!

 

yep Blue Point ie Snap on

 

i have cornwell one i bought 10 years ago done a few cars with it works good.

 

Anybody have one of the ones Speedway sells?

 

Roger on the Summit Racing rig. The dies crack. It is the same one NAPA sell in the $20 range. The flares are rough and sometimes crack, even after considerable care and practice.This is a great thread as I've been looking to replace mine before starting another car. Thanks!

 

The Snap-On..Blue Point...I third the motion. I had mine for many years now and the dude I bought it from had it for who knows how long. Like everyone said...don't cheap out on this its well worth it!

 

Here's a whole bunch:

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/search/?keywords=flaring+tool&storeid=toolswai

Toolwarehouse is cool to deal with.

Dave

 

harbor frieght...bitchees

 

you cant go wrong with imperial eastman for tubing chores.i think they even supply snap-on brand.

 

I've had this one for 20 years now (I just realized I'm old.)
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1338&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Never had a problem with it--never a cracked or mis-shaped flare end, works great. Paid $93 for it when I was 17, it's only up to $120 now, and worth every single penny.

One of the keys to making good flares is a high quality tubing cutter. This kit comes with one. I lost it, and replaced it with several cheap ones before buying the right one from Snap-on. Only time it's ever given me problems.

$120 might seem like a big bite, but man, when you make a bunch of flares and they turn out perfect, you forget the cost.

Eastman or Rigid single-size tubing benders are AWESOME. And also expensive. But you can make a great 180-degree bend in about the radius of a quarter. I've got a 3-in-1 size Blue Point that makes only 90-degree bends, with a radius about the size of a basket ball. Bought that at the same time. It's a quality tool, but the tubing doesn't have that nice, tight, factory OE look I like when the bends are done. I have one bender for 1/4-inch line, and need to get a couple other sizes...but at $69 a pop new, I never think about it until I wish I had it to bend a line.

Finally, I've also got one of those hydraulic flare kits mentioned above. It does a real nice job, but I actually prefer using my old Snap-on kit better.

I really enjoy bending brake and fuel lines, and it's because of having quality tools to do the job.

 

You should check out the General Tool Discussion forum at the sister (or brother) site:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/

 

The snap on guys will sell just the inserts if thats all you need. Much cheaper than the whole set.

 

I had one from Sears and it was a POS! Replaced it with a Bluepoint and gave the Craftsman one away.

 

Ok, new here and realize this is an old thread. Having the same issues with a crappy chinesium double flaring tool. Broke my old KD 2190 and would either like to find parts fix it or get another. One of the 4 sided dies cracked in half and I need just one to replace it. Will try to ad a pic of the tool.
Anyone have one they want to get rid of? Just a shot here.
Thanks,
Mark
http://shopping.yahoo.com/22595036-kd-2190-78-4-piece-double-flaring-tool-adapter-kit-2190-78/

 

I have the Mastercool kit and like it, but... It will not double flair 3/16" stainless steel brake line without destroying the dies. I even tried annealing the stainless before flairing.

I did find a solution that changed my life and made me happy ever after making brake lines.

This brake line is flat out the best there is period. It has a nice nickel color that looks great on old hot rods and double flairs are a thing of beauty. The junctions never leak because the material is 90-10 copper-nickel which crushes to fit perfectly every time and bending is ultra simple. You can even polish it up with metal polish. Any bender, even the cheapo ones will double flair this line. It's easy to straighten by rolling it on a flat surface and hitting with a rubber mallet.

http://store.fedhillusa.com/cnf3.aspx

 

I have a Rigid and am very happy with it. I clamp it in a vise when making the flares and get great results. Listen to everybody else and don't cheap out on this tool. As stated above, the cut is key as well. I go to the trouble to use a tiny file after the deburring process to make extra sure it is bitchen before flaring. There is a feel for how much you flare, and after a handful of test runs (recommended) you will have a hard time telling the difference between a factory flare and yours. Long answer to a short question- Rigid.
D.

 

Get a hydraulic mastercool set, they make much simpler. Not to mention the do bubble flare, quick disconnect fittings and more.