Looking for decent affordable bubble flaring tool

[s45]

Hey guys, I want to buy a decent affordable on car bubble flaring tool but the only one that pops up on Amazon is this Capri Tools 3/16 in. Dual Head Flaring Tool which is kinda pricey. It does both double and bubble but I only need a bubble flare tool as I own a Honda.

I did research on here and it seems like the Eastwood On Car Brake Line Flaring Tool is a good option but it's a double flare tool. There's a Titan one as well available at Princess Auto and Amazon which does only double as well but there's another one I found on Amazon Titan 51784 4.75mm ISO/DIN Double Flaring Tool.

I'm confused here though, does the Titan do the bubble flares I'm looking for or is there another ISO/DIN standard that is double flare? From what I know ISO/DIN is only bubble. Am I right and they have incorrectly listed it as a double flare tool or am I mistaken?

Also, are all these on car flare tools made by the same manufacturer in Taiwan? Thanks.

 

[tak1313]

I THINK a lot of people needing bubble flares essentially just do a half@ss double flare - ie. just to the first step of making a double flare. That's just from what I've seen/read. I don't know how well that actually works, as I have never needed to do a bubble flare myself. If I did, I'd probably try it that way first before buying a dedicated bubble flare kit/die.

 

[steves_001]

Try Napa. I have one from them and it’s worked well over the years.

 

[s45]

I THINK a lot of people needing bubble flares essentially just do a half@ss double flare - ie. just to the first step of making a double flare. That's just from what I've seen/read. I don't know how well that actually works, as I have never needed to do a bubble flare myself. If I did, I'd probably try it that way first before buying a dedicated bubble flare kit/die.

I already ordered the Titan 51784 so we'll see I guess. I heard that too but don't want to risk doing the job improperly.

Try Napa. I have one from them and it’s worked well over the years.

I found a used Napa set (165C) it's basically the Napa SER 165C but I think it's an older version which is made in USA. Cal-Van makes an identical kit too. The reviews on this kit aren't that great but I'm wondering if the made in USA ones were any better than these new Chinese ones? Anyone know? Were the old ones made by Danaher?

If the made in USA set is good I will probably return the Titan I ordered and buy that one, can get it pretty cheap. Read somewhere that this set doesn't do bubble flares though which I'm not sure why it wouldn't.

 

[steves_001]

Pretty sure I have the ser-3482 and it was a decent tool. I didn't need to do many, most everything was a double flare.

 

[chevy.stroker]

If you are looking for USA made:

Look on ebay for Mac, or Matco metric bubble flare tools. All are USA made. Sorry I can't remember who makes the tool for them.

I have no idea if the Bluepoint is USA made.

I own a Mac version and it works fine.

 

[rust in the eye]

I THINK a lot of people needing bubble flares essentially just do a half@ss double flare - ie. just to the first step of making a double flare. That's just from what I've seen/read. I don't know how well that actually works, as I have never needed to do a bubble flare myself. If I did, I'd probably try it that way first before buying a dedicated bubble flare kit/die.

That would be me.
One day I'll buy a hydraulic flaring tool with the correct dies but meanwhile I get by with the half *** bubble.

 

[Steve_P]

I already ordered the Titan 51784 so we'll see I guess. I heard that too but don't want to risk doing the job improperly.

I found a used Napa set (165C) it's basically the Napa SER 165C but I think it's an older version which is made in USA. Cal-Van makes an identical kit too. The reviews on this kit aren't that great but I'm wondering if the made in USA ones were any better than these new Chinese ones? Anyone know? Were the old ones made by Danaher?

If the made in USA set is good I will probably return the Titan I ordered and buy that one, can get it pretty cheap. Read somewhere that this set doesn't do bubble flares though which I'm not sure why it wouldn't.

I have an older Cal-Van version of that Napa. It works ok, but I wouldn't say fantastic. From the review pictures, the Capri looks like it does a nicer job than the Cal-Van, which really grooves up the line from the clamp. I don't remember if mine was made in USA or not, or who made it, but I'll try and check later today to see COO.