All flaring tools created equal?

[Goobzilla]

Ok, so it's almost time to plumb brakes and fuel lines on my '55 Ford. Looking for a double flare kit in the "sweet spot" of price vs performance. Looking to take advantage of GT350RC's generous free S/H offer so I'm looking for suggestions. Thanks!

Ron

 

[Fast Orange]

My flaring tool is a Bluepoint,and to be completely honest,I don't think it does the job any better or any worse than the off brands you see in the parts chains.I've had to use several different ones in emergencies over the years,they all did the job.I think the end product is more dependant on the mechanic taking the time to debur the end of the tube and careful set-up on the lengths for the flare than on what tool is used.One tip,no matter what tool you choose-tighten the clamp nuts TIGHT-it's real easy to screw up the flare when the tube slides back through the clamp. When done,take the time to check the flare for symetry and cracks.

George

 

[sberry]

I have a Bluepoint too and against the cost its nothing a 30$ Ridgid with some double flare bits wont do just as well and its got 5/8 to boot.

 

[Pantera]

NO, not all flaring tools are created equal. There is a universal hydraulic flaring tool set that fabricates Push Connect Flare, 1/4", 5/16" and 3/8"; GM Fuel Line Flare 5/16" and 3/8"; Flare / Double Flare 3/16", 1/4", 5/16", 3/8" and 1/2" and Metric Bubble Flaring 4.75mm, 6mm, 8mm and 10mm. Mastercool makes the kit. I know Matco Tools sell this item. I have used this tool and to screw-up a flare you really have to try hard when using this tool.

 

[Speed Shop]

I also have the Mastercool unit. It is nice. Picked it up thru thetoolwarehouse.net . Great price vs. thru Matco. Just got tired of struggling with the cheapie units.

 

[Fast Orange]

Those hydraulic kits are the way to go,if you need all of the capabilities and use it often enough to justify the cost. Unless that 55 Ford has a very sophisticated fuel and brake system,or you just want to get the ultimate flaring tool,I can't see putting out that much $-IIRC that set is about $600-thats what a simular appearing set was at a trade show a few weeks ago.

George

EDIT: OK-it's not as costly as I remembered-still pretty stiff for a seldom used tool-If I needed it once or twice a week,it would be the way to go. $287+S&H

 

[Canadian Charlie]

I have a off shore flaring tool, to be honest I don't get great results from it. Next time I'll get something that can do double flares

 

[Pantera]

Those hydraulic kits are the way to go,if you need all of the capabilities and use it often enough to justify the cost. Unless that 55 Ford has a very sophisticated fuel and brake system,or you just want to get the ultimate flaring tool,I can't see putting out that much $-IIRC that set is about $600-thats what a simular appearing set was at a trade show a few weeks ago.

George

EDIT: OK-it's not as costly as I remembered-still pretty stiff for a seldom used tool-If I needed it once or twice a week,it would be the way to go. $287+S&H

George is right it is a high dollar tool. The only thing is it will be the last flaring tool you will ever buy. The time you will save everytime you use it you will be very happy and see it is money well spent.

 

[Fast Orange]

One question for the guys who have it-Are additional dies available for 37 degree flares for AN type fittings? If so-that would be the cheapest set-up I've found for them. I'm looking into all S/S hard lines for one of my projects,and everyone I've talked to is telling me that S/S cracks when double flared at 45 degrees.The 37 degree kit is the one I saw for $600.

George

 

[chevy302dz]

Get the MasterCool hydra flare nothing else even comes close to working as well or as fast. MasterCool is the only manfacturer of these, anyone else selling them is just selling rebranded MasterCools usually for more money.

 

[sberry]

I agree that the master sets are beautiful but for the old ford the Ridgid from Home Depot is hard to beat and great for general utility work. The last one I bought was 30$ and I think I paid about 6$ for a set of bits. Another thing I do rework mostly from premade lines anyway. You can buy all the steel including the fittings ready made for the whole car for under 20$, I keep about 10 pcs in stock and some couplings, good to go. The worst I have to do to make a custom installation is to reflare one end of a line.

 

[l_bilyk]

Yes. All flaring tools of the same type are pretty much the same. THe hydraulic style Pantera posted is much easier to use than the conventional type. So if you're on a budget, buy the cheapest hydraulic flaring tool rather than the most expensive conventional type.

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

Yes. All flaring tools of the same type are pretty much the same. THe hydraulic style Pantera posted is much easier to use than the conventional type. So if you're on a budget, buy the cheapest hydraulic flaring tool rather than the most expensive conventional type.

I have the harbor freight I think about $12.00 double flare tool, I tried all types of flaring blocks using the double flare buttons and all had the same results the tube slid down the block. What I did was to put the tube in place and tighten as best as possible then clamped the whole contraption in a large shop vice and did all the flares for my brake lines for my street rod with no failures. I am sure from my reading that these do not compare to the expensive hydraulic ones though. ED ke6bnl

 

[W-Cummins]

This is what I use for the 37 deg. AN stuff it works well about $100

 

[Fast Orange]

Thanks W-Cummins-
Ridgid is one manufacturer I overlooked- Do you know what catalog number yours is? I was only able to find 45* flaring tools on Rigid's website-#s 345 and 458R.

George

 

[W-Cummins]

Thanks W-Cummins-
Ridgid is one manufacturer I overlooked- Do you know what catalog number yours is? I was only able to find 45* flaring tools on Rigid's website-#s 345 and 458R.

George

This is the part number 41162-377

William....

 

[Speed Shop]

At the time I bought mine, I had a discount coupon and it was on sale...final price was $225. Matco wanted over $500. Needless to say, it's now in my garage. Tool Warehouse has some really good deals on some good, quality tools.

 

[sberry]

Out of my Auto Value ATD line, double fare kit std, 24$ Bubble kit 27S and the Lisle brand combo kit except for stainless 98$.

 

[danski0224]

I have an Old Forge double flaring set that wasn't too expensive and it was made in the USA. It has worked just fine on all the steel brake lines I have made.

 

[l_bilyk]

I have the harbor freight I think about $12.00 double flare tool, I tried all types of flaring blocks using the double flare buttons and all had the same results the tube slid down the block. What I did was to put the tube in place and tighten as best as possible then clamped the whole contraption in a large shop vice and did all the flares for my brake lines for my street rod with no failures. I am sure from my reading that these do not compare to the expensive hydraulic ones though. ED ke6bnl

And i have a more expenstive KD version of the same tool. It's also a piece of ****.

 

[sberry]

Yup, I have a couple of those Old Forges and they work fine, in fact I had to break ir out a while back when the Blue point broke a bolt. And it had 5/8 for doing gas line.

 

[danski0224]

One small difference I recall is some flaring tools have a fixed die and others turn. The fixed die allows it to polish or shape the flare as the screw handle is turned and the moving die does not do this.

Which is better? Got me.

The technical description is probably lacking, but I hope you get the gist of it.

 

[Vincent Vega]

I'm in the same position. I don't wrench for a living, so spending over 100 was not cost effective. I went with the Old Forge. It works fine for what I need it for... flaring one end of a standard line custom bent to fit. It was under 50.00 delivered to the neighborhood parts store.

 

[ephotrod]

I am looking to purchase one of the these master cool units, because i have a car that i am making brake, clutch and ****** lines for. I would like to know whats everyones thought on which is the best overall kit. I want a MASTERCOOL unit but I don't know which one will satisfy all my needs. Any and all advise will help.
Josh