Flarring tool kit, buy the single or double ??

[cvcman]

I needed to flare a pc of tube today and yup, no flare tool,,,so I see the kits, one does double flares the other single...
So can I do a single with the double kit ? Or do I need to have both or ??

 

[texasprd]

It depends on what you are working on. If automotive brakes, you MUST do double-flare. I believe most other automotive applications (i.e. fuel lines, transmission-cooler lines) are double-flare as well - at least, that's how the pre-flared tubing is sold. Every fuel line and trans-cooler line that I recall R&Ring looked like it was double-flared.

 

[gearhead1]

It depends on what you are working on. If automotive brakes, you MUST do double-flare. I believe most other automotive applications (i.e. fuel lines, transmission-cooler lines) are double-flare as well - at least, that's how the pre-flared tubing is sold.

+1, must be double if you’re doing brakes......

 

[engineer2]

To answer the original question, yes a double flare kit wil do single flares.

 

[fsae0607]

I have the Eastwood tool and it rules! Also does the single bubble flares. You can add the 37° single flare dies if you need separately or they also sell the kit with both 45° double and 37° single.

https://www.eastwood.com/professional-brake-tubing-flaring-tool.html

 

[cvcman]

To answer the original question, yes a double flare kit wil do single flares.

But I ASSume you can't do a double flare with a single tool.. so if I'm going to buy a kit buy the double flare kit

 

[ndnchf]

Do yourself a big favor and skip the cheap clamping bar type double flaring tools. I've had one for 15 years and it will work. But it is very difficult to get a perfect flare with them. It will often be off set to one side. That it's because those tools have no method of keeping the flaring point and mandrel perfectly even and concentric. You have to align everything perfectly by eye. I have gotten good flares, but also got a lot off less than perfect flares. To have leak free brake lines, it needs to seal perfectly.

Not long ago I came upon a much better tool for just a little more money. It is made by Cal-van tools. It uses a threaded adapter that holds everything perfectly concentric. The result is perfect flares every time. Google it to find videos on using it. They sell a number of different kits. I got the fairly basic kit for around $40. I ordered it through Walmart online and got free shipping too. Believe me, it's a big improvement over the old clamping bar tool.

 

[four.cycle]

^ valid points.

if you want to go cheap, you can pick up used old-school single flaring tools (just the clamp bar and the cone-shaped press thingie) for $10 bucks and up on Ebay all day long - just a matter of picking through listings.

there are usually several old-school double-flare kits listed as well, often missing one or two of the little widgets you need to do the double flare.
unless I'm mistaken, you can get those little widgets individually from Snap-on. (I could be dead wrong on that one.)

from the comments on this site, the guys who are earning paychecks by standing under cars on lifts all day don't have high opinions of the old-school flaring tools.
I've only had to flare copper tubing a couple times during my entire life (single flares) and it took me a couple tries to get it right.

YMMV

 

[old__man]

It depends on what you are working on. If automotive brakes, you MUST do double-flare. I believe most other automotive applications (i.e. fuel lines, transmission-cooler lines) are double-flare as well - at least, that's how the pre-flared tubing is sold. Every fuel line and trans-cooler line that I recall R&Ring looked like it was double-flared.

There is also something called an ISO flare. The project I am currently working on has these on the brakes and fuel lines. The also go by the name of European, DIN, and bubble.

 

[ineedtools]

Do yourself a big favor and skip the cheap clamping bar type double flaring tools. I've had one for 15 years and it will work. But it is very difficult to get a perfect flare with them. It will often be off set to one side. That it's because those tools have no method of keeping the flaring point and mandrel perfectly even and concentric. You have to align everything perfectly by eye. I have gotten good flares, but also got a lot off less than perfect flares. To have leak free brake lines, it needs to seal perfectly.

Not long ago I came upon a much better tool for just a little more money. It is made by Cal-van tools. It uses a threaded adapter that holds everything perfectly concentric. The result is perfect flares every time. Google it to find videos on using it. They sell a number of different kits. I got the fairly basic kit for around $40. I ordered it through Walmart online and got free shipping too. Believe me, it's a big improvement over the old clamping bar tool.

∆ this! You almost have to a complete idiot to NOT make a perfect double flare every time. It's one of be those tools that once you've used it you'll wonder how be you've lived without it.

Sent from my R1 HD using Tapatalk

 

[engineer2]

But I ASSume you can't do a double flare with a single tool.. so if I'm going to buy a kit buy the double flare kit

Yes. the double flare tool has "buttons" to create the double flare. To do a single flare, you don't use the buttons.

 

[Htscheg]

+++ on the Cal-Van kit, been usingit for years

 

[bczygan]

Do yourself a big favor and skip the cheap clamping bar type double flaring tools. I've had one for 15 years and it will work. But it is very difficult to get a perfect flare with them. It will often be off set to one side. That it's because those tools have no method of keeping the flaring point and mandrel perfectly even and concentric. You have to align everything perfectly by eye. I have gotten good flares, but also got a lot off less than perfect flares. To have leak free brake lines, it needs to seal perfectly.

Not long ago I came upon a much better tool for just a little more money. It is made by Cal-van tools. It uses a threaded adapter that holds everything perfectly concentric. The result is perfect flares every time. Google it to find videos on using it. They sell a number of different kits. I got the fairly basic kit for around $40. I ordered it through Walmart online and got free shipping too. Believe me, it's a big improvement over the old clamping bar tool.

I just picked up the 165 kit which is the biggest non-hydraulic kit they offer. Cheapest here:

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/default.cfm?nav=inc/search_return.cfm

$40.60 plus $7.95 shipping.

Cal Van 165 - Master Inline Flaring Tool Kit
Master Inline Flaring Tool Kit

features:
unique design lock the adapters, cone and tube in a perfect line making perfect factory flares every time with less risk of breaking adapters
clamp and set screws put pressure directly over the tube greatly reducing the chance of the tube slipping from the clamp
increases the overall life of the clamp by not wearing down the teeth inside from repeated slipping
low profile design allows the user to make flares on the vehicle and in tight spaces
flares can be achieved along frame rails or areas on the engine compartment saving time from having to remove components or complete lines to make repairs

includes:
3/16, 1/4, 5/16 and 3/8 inch double/single flares
4.75, 6 and 8mm double, bubble and single flares

Bill

 

[kythri]

I'm assuming this is one of the "cheap" one that's being maligned:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000L7QZ0Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

?

Granted, I haven't done a ton of flares, but never seemed to have a problem with mine.

 

[engineer2]

The only problem I've ever had was making a nice double flare and then seeing the flare nut still sitting on the bench.

 

[ndnchf]

I'm assuming this is one of the "cheap" one that's being maligned:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000L7QZ0Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

?

Granted, I haven't done a ton of flares, but never seemed to have a problem with mine.

Yes, thats the one. They CAN work well, but it is easy to get mis-aligned and get a bad flare. Maybe its just me, but I prefer the idiot proof tool better

 

[akalian]

It's true that often times the wing nut type flaring tool will allow the tubing to slip when you are making flares.

But I've found if you take a C-Clamp and clamp the bars close to where the tubing is being flared, it eliminates that problem. It doesn't have to be a big one either, a small 3" or 4" one works well. If you have room, clamp both sides.

Only downside is that if you are trying to do this on the car with limited access.

.

 

[6PTsocket]

On a related matter, a double flaring tool will make a passable bubble flare if you only go part way with the second flare.... and remember to install the flare nut. LOL!!
I did this until I bought a bubble flaring tool and frankly the results don't look much different.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[JUNK-MAN]

Buy a double flare kit, you can do single and double with it and as preiviosly said you can also make a decent bubble flare.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[bczygan]

The only problem I've ever had was making a nice double flare and then seeing the flare nut still sitting on the bench.

I always do that the first time!

Bill

 

[Shadowdog500]

Plus 1 on the Eastwood kit. I get a perfect flair every time. Here’s mine in action.

 

[kctyphoon]

Just watched a demo on that cal-van kit.. wish I knew about that when I I was making new brake lines for my truck.. those wing nut kits are useable but are far from what you'd want for a result.

 

[Caligula455]

I’ve had awesome results with a Mastercool hand held hydraulic flare set. It does single and double flare as well as bubble. It was pricey but it’s so easy it’s fun and the result for me have always been perfect.

Except when I forget to put the flare nut on first ...

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have the Eastwood tool and it rules! Also does the single bubble flares. You can add the 37° single flare dies if you need separately or they also sell the kit with both 45° double and 37° single.

https://www.eastwood.com/professional-brake-tubing-flaring-tool.html

Probably the best tool on the market ! $$$

Do yourself a big favor and skip the cheap clamping bar type double flaring tools. I've had one for 15 years and it will work.
.
.
.
It is made by Cal-van tools.

A good runner up !

If you are ONLY doing brake lines this new style has gotten a lot of good reviews.

Eastwood "on car" Flaring Tool