Technical brake tube flairing tools

Not to veer off the topic so please don't reply to this post. I just posted a reference thread called "Fittings ...Pictures to determine what you need "that some of you may want to save on your computer.

 

Same.

 

Yep. I have one in the backyard shop where I pretend to work



Cheers,
Harv

 

Have that, too!

 

I got got one of those from PA and couldn’t be happier. Works every time but I still have to remember to put the fitting on first! LOL. ( It was the last one they had and I felt like I stole it...)

 

Tube bending is a skill that I have yet to master.... Most of us can bend tubes to get from point A to point B, but to do it in such way that it looks planned, neat, uniform and aesthetically pleasing is another story. I admire those that can lay out and execute a nice tube installation.

 

The derogatory is, it has been installed like a rusty one piece crank

 

Just about all my brake lines have a radius similar to the diameter of a floor jack handle for some reason . I do the tough bends first and have thrown out a few bad ones.

 

Concerning tube bending. If I have several bends in one area, I use heavy steel wire, not coat hanger, it's too hard to bend with my old arthritic fingers. Make a pattern and start by making the first flare and work my way back. I usually clamp one handle of the tubing bender in the vise. It's a lot easier than holding in your hands and fumbling with tubing.

 

There are ways to get really tight bends when needed. First is to start with some of the better tube benders that make tighter bends. Some of them are pretty cheap now on Amazon. I bought a couple larger ones recently and they actually have a roller to help prevent crimping.
Beyond that, you can often modify a tool so that the fitting fits right against the lug where the bend starts.







I bought some ready made Power Steering hoses and rebent them to fit my needs. Complete hose was about $15. Try to get ones with correct fittings already on them and some straight tubing on each end that you can bend or unbend and rebend. Search Ebay and Rock Auto for pictures of what each hose will look like.

If you are trying to determine where to put a 90 degree bend so that the tube will go across a frame member, make a little short piece of tube with a 90 degree bend and mark where it aligns with the lug on the tubing bender.


Then lay it on top of the tube you want to bend with the 90 degree part against the crossmember. Transfer the mark to the tube you want to bend. Easypeezee.

 

i am looking at one on amazon that has two turrets one 45 and one 37 the tube holder is 45 on one end and 37 on the other

 

the last tube cutter i got has a 3/16 inch groove in the roller next to where the cutter scores the tube it allows you to cut off just the flair and only about 1/8 inch of tube so the line wont get to short when you forget to put the nut on

 

the one i had trouble with i will not name because i could be the problem although i never had problems with the old ones i had other than they were worn out the one i got for my son is an eastwood

 

Tube bending is like any other normal skill. Just like the guy in New York that stopped someone to as how to get to Carnegie Hall. The guy he stopped replied, " practice, practice, practice! I screwed many a length of tube before I got good at it, trust me on that one!

 

When you gotta AN flare it, and ain’t takin no prisoners…



Bought this second hand from the US. I love that it has a “make a flare” setting, and an “iron a flare” setting to smooth it more.

Cheers,
Harv

 

Been using the Eastwood tool for well over 10 years. Perfect flare every time.

I sold off all my hand flare tools and never looked back.