Bubble flared line applications

[zendriver]

How common is the bubble flare for brake, and/or fuel lines vehicles?

I need to get a tool kit to make double flares, but I’m trying to decide if it’s worth basically paying double something I might not ever need

Thanks

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Brake lines, maybe 20% of the cars I do? Most use inverted flare.

Fuel lines are mostly push connect lines now. I've never seen a bubble on a fuel line.

 

[signcrafter]

I use double most of the time but bubble are common enough I would get both if you do much brake lines.

 

[zeug]

All my vintage VWs use bubble flares. Which tools are you considering?

 

[isb cornbinder]

This is what I have and use for a perfect finish every time.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

This is what I have and use for a perfect finish every time.

If you do brake lines with any regularity, that's what you want.

 

[isb cornbinder]

If you do brake lines with any regularity, that's what you want.

I bought this kit before I needed it. I was not having guarantied success with the hand flare system. When I bought my MASTERCOOL 30 years ago, it was over $700cdn. I just checked AMAZON and the kit is about $100cdn less.

 

[VolvoRyan]

All my vintage VWs use bubble flares. Which tools are you considering?

It's an ISO/DIN standard. I'd imagine most European makes are using bubbles. Volvo certainly does.

-Ryan

 

[ex-x-fire]

Check your vehicles to see if they have coated lines. Napa also sells double to bubble adapters too.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Check your vehicles to see if they have coated lines. Napa also sells double to bubble adapters too.

Doesn't really matter if they're coated. They still rot out where the last inch is uncoated. Toyota, suabru, a few others use plastic coated lines. You can whittle it back with a knife, I prefer to toast it lightly with a butane torch first. Then with good line available you can union in a 6" section to fix the line.

 

[MarineScott]

I have had, bubble on one side and double flare on the other

 

[Snapped-off]

The mastercool hydraulic flarer is really nice. Although I barely use it, it's one of my favorite tool buys.

 

[zendriver]

All my vintage VWs use bubble flares. Which tools are you considering?

just purchased a $27 harbor freight special

I only have one I have to do a fuel line for an old Ford backhoe.

Thanks everyone for the replies

 

[signcrafter]

just purchased a $27 harbor freight special

I only have one I have to do a fuel line for an old Ford backhoe.

Thanks everyone for the replies

I've never used the hf flare tool but I have used other cheap kits years ago and had nothing but frustration. Practice on a piece of scrap and if it doesn't come out save yourself the headache and throw it away and get a quality kit.

Also look into nicop line, napa sells it. Flares a lot easier.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I've never used the hf flare tool but I have used other cheap kits years ago and had nothing but frustration. Practice on a piece of scrap and if it doesn't come out save yourself the headache and throw it away and get a quality kit.

Also look into nicop line, napa sells it. Flares a lot easier.

I don't flare anything but NiCop anymore. So much easier.

 

[signcrafter]

I don't flare anything but NiCop anymore. So much easier.

I bought the surr 3/16" kit a long time ago and it was great. Have gone threw a few rolls of tubing and replace fittings as needed. So nice to have any fitting you may need so you not running to the store. Ended up buying the 1/4" kit also. And a brake bleeder assortment kit. I enjoy making up a copy of a rusted brake line. But I do check for pre bent kits before breaking out the roll of tubing. Had a 2002 Dakota a awhile back and just googled brake line kit for it and came up on Amazon for 30 bucks. Pre bent and with fittings. That one was a no brainier and just ordered that kit.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I don't flare anything but NiCop anymore. So much easier.

That's the only type of line that should ever be used, except MAYBE for abrasion resistance. SO easy to work with and no rusting out.