Double Flare Tool

kopeck · May 31, 2012

So I need to fix a brake line on my '79 Chevy. I have an older Imperial 45 deg flaring tool, it looks just like any other flaring tool I've ever seen, the only problem is it doesn't have the little adapters to make the double flares. I see I can buy a set of adapters at NAPA, is there any reason they wouldn't work with my tool?

It is a 45 deg SAE tool, I can't see why they wouldn't and it would save me from having to buy two tools.

This is what I have:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IMPERIAL-EA...pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item589408d6b3

This is what I want to get:

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?R=SER41594_0006404130

Thanks,

K

guido · May 31, 2012

Hello kopek,
Why not just by aready made line for your application?, unless you think the tool will get more use. Don't get me wrong, one can't ever have too-many tools.
Guido.

kopeck · May 31, 2012

(quoted from post at 06:50:58 05/31/12) Hello kopek,
Why not just by aready made line for your application?, unless you think the tool will get more use. Don't get me wrong, one can't ever have too-many tools.
Guido.

Honestly, I didn't know you could get ready made lines. I've helped fix a few lines before and we always had to bend and flare them.

When I call NAPA I guess I'll have to ask.

K

Revredneck · May 31, 2012

They come in lengths. You will still have to do the bending, but usually it's not too bad. Make sure you get the correct size and pay attention to the English/metric designation, too.
Good Luck and God Bless

kopeck · May 31, 2012

(quoted from post at 07:00:21 05/31/12) They come in lengths. You will still have to do the bending, but usually it's not too bad. Make sure you get the correct size and pay attention to the English/metric designation, too.
Good Luck and God Bless

Oh, OK. Yeah, I knew that. I thought he meant pre-bent.

It's kind of a long run but that's an option for sure. It's 1/4" OD SAE double flare.

Lets just hope the bleeder don't give be trouble. One looks pretty rusty...

K

edj856 · May 31, 2012

There's no reason why the adapters wouldn't work, but I've never had any luck with that style flaring tool for double flares in steel line. Everytime you try to do the double flare, it just pushes the line through the clamp. If you were to get some of the copper nickel line from NAPA (BK 6413349), they might work. That line is soft, easy to bend, won't rust out, and is rated for brake lines. I have one the Mastercool hydraulic flaring tools that works great, I also have a Rigid brand that will do double flares in steel line. It's similar to what you have, but has a much heavier clamping bar that won't allow the tubing to slip through.
Rigid flaring tool

RodinNS · May 31, 2012

It might work. It might not...
I've never had any luck doing double flares without a good quality flaring tool die that has the side clamp on it to squeeze the die tight AT THE LINE. Granted the sets I had were the china cheapies that probably bend.... I've never used an older better quality one like you have.
That said... what I did was buy a Weatherhead set that has the side clamp and it will double flare. Easily.
DO NOT USE COPPER LINE FOR BRAKE LINE. It doesn't have the pressure rating. It will work harden... and it will break. Around here it is not acceptable and will not pass inspection.

What you can possibly do is buy premade lines from NAPA if you only need a shorter one.
I hope you intend to replace the entire line rather than repair a line...

Rod

souNdguy · May 31, 2012

if you like to ad dmore tools ont he cheap.. you can get the tube benders an the pliers that help bend tube without squashing it.. 8$ will get you both at the china store.. that and some pre flared line from napa and you are set!

Butch(OH) · May 31, 2012

All that makes up a double flare tool kit is a standard flare tool like you have and the inserts. Troubles with pushing the tube out of the clamp is tool quality, wear or tube prep related, looks like you have a quality tool and thus should have no troubles. The ways to have problems goes up when you double vs single flare and a problem at step one may not show up until step 3. Step 1 is one of the most important steps is not in the instructions of any tool I have used. After you cut the tube to length drill, (not ream with the cheapo reamer provided!) the crushed part out of the original ID with the nearest size bit you have. Step 2 is missing from half the tool sets, grind a 45 degree bevel on the end OD that takes up half the wall diameter, do not grind to sharp! half the wall thickness. Step 3 on is in the instructions but pay particular attention to the stick out. Then finish with the tool as you have always used it.

big fred · May 31, 2012

You probably could get ready made, including pre-bent, from the dealer. I've been very surprised at dealer prices on some parts, they've been very reasonable. Other parts, of course, not so much.

fixerupper · May 31, 2012

If your flaring tool is like the picture it might not clamp the tube tight enough and it also might not screw out far enough to get the die in there. Then again it just might work. My double flaring tool clamps the brake line so tight it leaves little ribs.

Butch, I like your idea about the drill bit and grinding a bevel on the outside of the line. Jim

Hobo,NC · May 31, 2012

The dies are all you need,,, install hex head nuts for the wing nuts,,, honker down on the tube tight if it slips chuck it up in a vice if it slips add valve lap'n compound to the line for grip... Goolge the process for other tips its doable but even with your tool you can mess one up every now and again...

I have the good tools to do the job but if I had to do all of'em this is the way to go...

http://inlinetube.com/Preformed Lines/Web Line Listings/CF-CAT-09.htm

They will sell ya just what you need :wink:

http://www.fuelsender.com/brake_line.html

http://catalog.fmsiinc.com/viewitems/brake-lines/cupro-nickel-brake-lines?

http://www.fedhillusa.com/

Butch(OH) · May 31, 2012

Thanks but I didn"t dream that up it was taught me waaay back in shop class in HS. A few years ago I sucummed to one of my cool tool cravings and purchased this nice outfit from Mastercool. It also does fuel line quick disconnects, GM bubble flares etc. Been quite a long time since I wrenched one of those screw type flaring tools.

Mastercool_71475_Universal_Hydraulic_Flaring_Tool_Set.jpg

big jt · May 31, 2012

I am with fixerupper on this one and I come from
experience. Had exactly the same problem he
describes. The clamp from those soft copper kits
won't clamp steel lines tight enough to start the
double flare.

My suggestion is get the proper kit with all the
dies in it.

jt

Hobo,NC · Jun 1, 2012

(quoted from post at 06:42:48 06/01/12) Thanks but I didn"t dream that up it was taught me waaay back in shop class in HS. A few years ago I sucummed to one of my cool tool cravings and purchased this nice outfit from Mastercool. It also does fuel line quick disconnects, GM bubble flares etc. Been quite a long time since I wrenched one of those screw type flaring tools.

I made a stop for mine to set the brake line even in the forming die. Its dead perfect every time... Its like the forming pusher/die with a large thick washer welded to the end (foreign car valve lash shim)...

Double Flare Tool

kopeck

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guido

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kopeck

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Revredneck

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kopeck

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edj856

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RodinNS

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souNdguy

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Butch(OH)

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big fred

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fixerupper

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Hobo,NC

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Butch(OH)

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big jt

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Hobo,NC

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