Flaring tool bargain

[motterpaul]

Someone asked me to tell them if this tool is any good after I tried it. It is GREAT.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KHP982F/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This is a flaring tool sold on Amazon - it works the same way most of them do, It does have the eccentric rotation but here is the best part which they do NOT tell you in the description. It also has a clutch so you don't over-flare. And it is only $22.

 

[Terry D]

It looks real close to my Yellow Jacket, which was about a $80.00 more.

 

[Wrench97]

Looks good for single flares but no 3/16" for brake lines and no dies for double and DIN does it no good in the automotive world.

 

[like2wheel]

Looks good for single flares but no 3/16" for brake lines and no dies for double and DIN does it no good in the automotive world.

This is the heating & a/c forum.

 

[Terry D]

This is the heating & a/c forum.

Yea, these flaring tools are designed for HVAC, especially 410a

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[830singleshot]

I bought and used one of these last month for a pioneer mini split I self installed. Like you, I was impressed with the quality and how well it worked for the price point.

 

[nadogail]

A decent flaring tool has a place in any DIY tool box.

 

[Wrench97]

This is the heating & a/c forum.

Yea but it's advertised for brake lines.

DasMarine Pipe Cone Flaring Tool kit 6 Dies Sizes 1/4'' to 3/4'' 45 Degree Angle Eccentric Cone Type Sets for Water Gas Refrigeration Brake Line Applications

 

[LXCam]

I have the rigid version of that tool in 37 degree for AN fittings. I’d imagine it’s the same damn thing as the rigid which is excellent.

 

[metlmunchr]

Ridgid came out with their eccentric flaring tool around the 1990 timeframe, and had a patent on it. Once the patent expired, manufacturers here and abroad started making copies for the simple reason that it's the best flaring tool design anyone has ever come up with.

An eccentric tool like this is of no use for double flares as used on brake lines. Out of curiosity, I used my Blackhawk double flaring tool to create the bubble that's the first step of a double flare and then used my Ridgid eccentric to attempt to complete the flare. All with a piece of 1/4" od copper tube. The eccentric motion creates a double flare that's visibly inferior to one made with the straight pressing motion of a normal flaring tool. As anyone who's dealt with double flares knows, it's easy enough to make one that looks good but won't seal. If it looks bad, it ain't got a chance of sealing.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Does "eccentric" mean the flaring "point" is slightly off center ? I saw a video about one and the guy swore that it made a much smoother face. Looked good to me !

 

[theoldwizard1]

Looks good for single flares but no 3/16" for brake lines ...

First, any one making replacement brake line needs to start with NiCopp brake line. Easy to form by hand and easy to flare.

Second, the hands down best brake line flare tool is this on, sold by Eastwood.

Expensive. Bench only !

The "runner up" sold under several brand names (so I don't know who actually invented it) is this hand held version.

Under $50

 

[Wrench97]

First, any one making replacement brake line needs to start with NiCopp brake line. Easy to form by hand and easy to flare.

Second, the hands down best brake line flare tool is this on, sold by Eastwood.

Expensive. Bench only !

The "runner up" sold under several brand names (so I don't know who actually invented it) is this hand held version.

Under $50

Actually for brake lines and trans and engine cooler lines this is what I use> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0785P58G3/?tag=atomicindus08-20

NiCopp is easy to work with but also rubs through easily and with cooler lines a lot of the time it makes sense to repair the existing by flaring it in place on the vehicle the hand held hydro tool makes that pretty easy.

 

[Don1357]

Yeah, I have that Eastwood tool. Trying to do stainless steel on the lesser quality tools is an exercise in futility.

 

[Terry D]

Does "eccentric" mean the flaring "point" is slightly off center ? I saw a video about one and the guy swore that it made a much smoother face. Looked good to me !

Yes. I runs off center, it doesn't contact all the surface of the flare at on time. It smoothes it out instead of forming it all at once. Much cleaner flare with less effort. The one I have will slip when it is formed, so you cant over tighten it.

 

[jjrbus]

Must be me. I bought one of the no name HVAC flaring tools off Amazon and the flair was equal to the flares on premade linsets. So I sent it back!

 

[Jackfre]

Must be me. I bought one of the no name HVAC flaring tools off Amazon and the flair was equal to the flares on premade linsets. So I sent it back!

I would never use the pre-made flares on a line set. They are a total **** shoot and really only good for holding the plugs in place.
I have the shown flaring tool by Hilmer. It is very good. I replaced my Yellow Jacket 410a tool after being unable to hold 1/4” lines securely. The flare cone pushed the 1/4 back. Looking at the die you could see the copper sheared off. I tried to clean it but no joy. I tried to buy a new die set for it as I liked that tool but they do not supply replacement dies.

 

[jjrbus]

I would never use the pre-made flares on a line set. They are a total **** shoot and really only good for holding the plugs in place.
I have the shown flaring tool by Hilmer. It is very good. I replaced my Yellow Jacket 410a tool after being unable to hold 1/4” lines securely. The flare cone pushed the 1/4 back. Looking at the die you could see the copper sheared off. I tried to clean it but no joy. I tried to buy a new die set for it as I liked that tool but they do not supply replacement dies.

Several of the ready made flairs failed the go/no go flair gauge, plus the nuts were very light weight.

 

[joe_padavano]

That Eastwood flaring tool is sold by many different vendors. They are all the same, so shop for the best price, I actually got mine from Inline Tube at Carlisle swap meet for a discount. It is by far the best flaring tool I've ever used. I have never made a bad flare with it, and that's steel, stainless, and copper. It has dies available to do 37 deg as well as 45 double and bubble. I don't use NiCopp, only real steel or stainless. I also have Imperial benders that are by far the best.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Does "eccentric" mean the flaring "point" is slightly off center ? I saw a video about one and the guy swore that it made a much smoother face. Looked good to me !

"Eccentric" means the flaring cone has raised areas that basically "stretch" the flare as it's made to smooth it. I don't like some of them. They can thin the face of the flare too much.

I've had been using a Parker flaring tool for about 30 years. It has ecentrics on the cone, but for whatever reason they don't casue any problems. It's not cheap, but when you use it fourteen or fifteen times an hour it's a huge time saver. I don't even know where my original flaring block is...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077Q3X9HH/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Tommy

 

[radio2000]

Has anyone tried this one?
http://brakefuelline.com/2018/12/wk...ol-set-brake-pipe-expander-fuel-line-tools-2/
Seems like a really nice tool, but the instructions aren't in english. Took forever to figure out a bubble flare.

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[Git]

I have the Rigid 37 degree flaring tool, but when I was installing my Mr Slim lineset several years ago, I didn't want to take any chances. I ended up buying a Yellow Jacket 60278 for $100 from Amazon. Looks pretty similar to the Parker tool that Tommy uses