HVAC guys, flaring tool suggestions
- Thread starter John T
- Start date
joel63
Well-known member
What are you using now?
Ridgid.
https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/345-manual-flare-tool
I have 2 of these kits for making brake line, works fantastic. Can be found for around $100.
https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/345-manual-flare-tool
I have 2 of these kits for making brake line, works fantastic. Can be found for around $100.
RECox286
Well-known member
I got the Blue Point (Snappy's cheaper line) brake line
double flare kit which has been easy to use, and very
accurate and consistant. The anvil or pipe holder part
of the tool is what makes the difference. If the pipe
slips, you will curse the day you wasted your money.
If you really want a top notch tool, look at Eastman.
Uncle Bob
double flare kit which has been easy to use, and very
accurate and consistant. The anvil or pipe holder part
of the tool is what makes the difference. If the pipe
slips, you will curse the day you wasted your money.
If you really want a top notch tool, look at Eastman.
Uncle Bob
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
joel63
Well-known member
I've always used Imperial Eastman tubing tools and have considered them to be the best for working with copper tubing in the havc trade.
I guess the one you have is just plain worn out.
I am not a "HVAC guy" - but I recently installed a dual zone Mr Slim
I second the yellow jacket 60278
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002SB5RMA/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Very easy to use - it even has a depth stop so the line is positioned correctly before flaring
I thought this video was helpful
http://www.yellowjacket.com/product/854
I second the yellow jacket 60278
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002SB5RMA/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Very easy to use - it even has a depth stop so the line is positioned correctly before flaring
I thought this video was helpful
http://www.yellowjacket.com/product/854
PWC Repair
Well-known member
That's what I stock at work.
As a contractor I use a tool very much like the oldie you're using. Takes a little effort, but, my flares come out nice.
However, the best tool I ever used was this Imperial design:
http://www.newmantools.com/imperial/ft2.html
However, the best tool I ever used was this Imperial design:
http://www.newmantools.com/imperial/ft2.html
Steinmetz
Well-known member
Agree. That Imperial tool should be more than sufficient to make a good flare. Most bad flares result from poor preparation.
PBCampbell
Well-known member
Imperial-Eastman is all I've ever used and I've used them without problems.
Trey T
Well-known member
I have the cheapo $15 flaring tools but I needed a high quality and proper flaring tool for the mini-split install over the weekend. I researched and the clutch-type are what's popular among the HVAC mini-split guys.
Very useful and inexpensive tool, $45 at United Refrigeration Inc. Other brands are selling it $100-200 each. It's night-and-day difference w/ the flaring compare to my cheapo flaring tool - perfect flaring every time.
I also use Nylog (bottle left of flaring tool) for thread sealant which was highly recommended by HVAC mini-split guys.
Very useful and inexpensive tool, $45 at United Refrigeration Inc. Other brands are selling it $100-200 each. It's night-and-day difference w/ the flaring compare to my cheapo flaring tool - perfect flaring every time.
I also use Nylog (bottle left of flaring tool) for thread sealant which was highly recommended by HVAC mini-split guys.
kaffine
Well-known member
I recommend the Ridgid ratcheting flaring tools like the 445R. They work great.
Triple macs
Well-known member
Yellow Jacket 60278. Older flaring tools are not designed to handled the pressures of R-410a systems.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Techie1961
Well-known member
I suspect that some are having no issues with the Eastman because they usually use the size of tubing that puts the tool at the ends where the clamps are or they are flaring relatively soft tubing. You will notice that on good tools like the Ridgid, the clamping is directly at the tube size you are flaring. Look for that in a quality/well engineered flaring tool.
toplessHO
Well-known member
having made literally thousands of flares manually I tried every type known
Snapon Imperial Eastman Ridgid Craftsman and none works like this one.
It was around $300 which is more than alot of guys want to pony up,but does so much more than simple flares.I have no problem doing 3/8 double flares on stainless tubing.
Try that with your manual one. http://www.mastercool.com/pages/flaring_tools.html
One of the keys to making a good slip free flare is to clamp the holding fixture in the vise as close to the hole youre using as possible. This prevents the tool from spreading open and having the tubing slip.Dont use the end that is made for clamping in vise as the holding fixture will slip because of flex.Those bolts on the end will work for only very small flares.
If in the field use 2 pair of vise grips one on each side of the fixture.
The tool is high quality and made in USA.
Customer support is top notch too.
Snapon Imperial Eastman Ridgid Craftsman and none works like this one.
It was around $300 which is more than alot of guys want to pony up,but does so much more than simple flares.I have no problem doing 3/8 double flares on stainless tubing.
Try that with your manual one. http://www.mastercool.com/pages/flaring_tools.html
One of the keys to making a good slip free flare is to clamp the holding fixture in the vise as close to the hole youre using as possible. This prevents the tool from spreading open and having the tubing slip.Dont use the end that is made for clamping in vise as the holding fixture will slip because of flex.Those bolts on the end will work for only very small flares.
If in the field use 2 pair of vise grips one on each side of the fixture.
The tool is high quality and made in USA.
Customer support is top notch too.
Trey T
Well-known member
that ridgid is basically the same as mine but at a fraction of the cost.
the one I posted and the Ridgid 445R w/ the clutch, lots of HVAC are moving away from the YJ 60278.
double flaring tools are great but in HVAC, I don't know if it's necessary.
That $45 ones I got, it makes perfect flare
the one I posted and the Ridgid 445R w/ the clutch, lots of HVAC are moving away from the YJ 60278.
double flaring tools are great but in HVAC, I don't know if it's necessary.
That $45 ones I got, it makes perfect flare
Trey T
Well-known member
n8n
Well-known member
I've always used Imperial Eastman tubing tools and have considered them to be the best for working with copper tubing in the havc trade.
I guess the one you have is just plain worn out.
^this