Recommend a decent flaring tool for home use

[whitetrash1]

I'll probably only use it the one time on a couple brake lines so I don't want to break the bank. But I'd like to have it last if I do need it again

 

[signcrafter]

Double flare or Bubble flare? Depending on which vehicle you are working on you may need both. To be honest spend the extra money on a decent kit. The cheap kits don't work and will cause you nothing but headaches. I think ridgid makes a decent kit for not a ton of money.

 

[rogersmithiii]

I vote Rigid. And not the cheap one they sell. Get a decent one. A cheap flare tool will cause you to waste expensive tubing, and will drive you crazy.

 

[Professur]

Personal experience .. consider paying the extra for pre-bent replacement lines (factory) or pre-flared cuts. I tried cheaping out and going with a c-clamp type flare tool ... time and effort at $10/hr wasted with it easily paid for the Eastwood tool. Granted, that was on coated steel. I'd highly recommend not going with that, but with the NiCopp line. I've no experience with the cheaper tools on that stuff, but it would have to be easier than the coated steel.

 

[Buckgnarly]

If you are going manual, Ridgid all the way, no other comes close for low money.

 

[justme-]

I struggled with a HF set for over 10 years....last time I needed to do a line it was bubble flair and my HF set wasn't up to the task, not were 3 other sets of similar quality from the local auto parts store rental program. My father dropped by and slid a brand new Craftsman set under the car next to me. It's bliss in comparison. Singles, doubles and an acceptable bubble. You don't need a separate bubble flair set if you have a decent regular double flair set. Mind you the tool in question was made in USA at that time and last time I was in Sears I saw it is now touting China.
I have used it on steel, stainless, and copper-nickel. By the way, if you've never used copper-nickel line you have no idea what you're missing. I'll never used armor coat steel again!

 

[454ragtop]

For the limited use you mention, I think you'd be better off with the newer style inline flaring tools, like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cal-Van-Too...1495785223&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr
They make a similar kit, #156, for bubble flares, both available from other manufacturers and sellers also. If you knew exactly which type and size of flare, could even get a tool that does that size and style only, pretty cheap too.
HTH, Jim

 

[mrvm]

+1 on the copper-Ni lines which cost more than steel but are easier to work with. Won't rust out like a steel line, easy to flare and bends almost tool-lessly. Used a Craftsman-USA unit for a recent brake line replacement and it worked great, much better than the free rental units at some parts stores. Might want to rent one to test your skills if you don't want to buy one and it should handle the softer copper-Ni lines. The copper-Ni lines cost more but are worth it.

 

[kctyphoon]

i bought mine from Napa.. all the cheap ones are basically the same - just make sure its a double flare, and not single.. what i did to use mine, i used 2 small clamps to hold both halves of the block level with each other.. the flares never come out perfect with the one that i used - but remember that the metal is soft, and it will most likely seal once you tighten the brake lines down with the fitting.. my only advice is to buy some extra tubing and experiment first...
this is the first one i ever did.. came out pretty good with a HF bender and a napa double flare kit. old on top, new on the bottom.. for a 95 f350

 

[zcbauer89]

Buying a bad flaring tool almost always ruins everyone's experience for life when lines are concerned. Rigid flare kits are good.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I know you don't want to break the bank. But I gave up on the regular flair tool that always seemed to screw up that last critical flair, so I bought the eastwood pro flair tool. It is a rebadged brakequip turret flair tool.

They sell it on ebay cheaper than thier website. It's $239 with free shipping right now. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Eastwood-Pro-Double-Single-Brake-Line-Tubing-Flaring-Tool-Kit-/371272558999

This thing makes perfect flairs effortlessly every time. With this and a good tubing bender, brake lines are almost fun to do!

Here is a cellphone video I made of mine a couple years ago.

Chris

 

[kctyphoon]

Just go on ebay, and decide what u want to spend.. U can get a brand new gearwrench set with a case for under $50. An OTC for about the same, or vintage snap on or blue points in the same ballpark.. If u want to spend less, just read reviews from Amazon before buying..

 

[ADSR]

I know you don't want to break the bank. But I gave up on the regular flair tool that always seemed to screw up that last critical flair, so I bought the eastwood pro flair tool. It is a rebadged brakequip turret flair tool.

They sell it on ebay cheaper than thier website. It's $239 with free shipping right now. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Eastwood-Pro-Double-Single-Brake-Line-Tubing-Flaring-Tool-Kit-/371272558999

This thing makes perfect flairs effortlessly every time. With this and a good tubing bender, brake lines are almost fun to do!

Here is a cellphone video I made of mine a couple years ago.

Chris

wow! that's impressive!

 

[crab]

Whether you use a tool once or a thousand times it still needs to be a decent tool. If it doesn't do what is needed it's a waste of time and money.

 

[bobdell]

For the limited use you mention, I think you'd be better off with the newer style inline flaring tools, like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cal-Van-Too...1495785223&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr
They make a similar kit, #156, for bubble flares, both available from other manufacturers and sellers also. If you knew exactly which type and size of flare, could even get a tool that does that size and style only, pretty cheap too.
HTH, Jim

I finally bought this set after going through several cheap sets and a semi-pricey( Name brand, but I forget the name) tool that would not grip automotive lines!

The seller admitted he had had a few returns and the tool was more suited for plumbing work.

The Cal-Van tool has worked for me every time - it's a little more work to set it up, but I'm all for saving money on a tool I won't use more than once or twice a year.

 

[twertsy]

I got the pneumatic because I've been switching to SS lines. Good luck doing SS with a hand tool, impossible.

 

[jonjon1]

I have a couple, the otc set works well, I like their tools, also I have a hilmor that is very well made, But since I got the 71475 kit I never use the manual flaring tools anymore...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mastercool-...1453255976&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr

It can do about every flare you will ever see, 37, 45, hydraulic, fuel, brake, etc. That universal kit comes with most of the adapters but you can buy them for any application...

 

[bw77]

I wanted a tool that would be good for flaring on the car as well as off.
I looked at the amazon reviews for the inline tools by Cal-Van and CTA, and
I was not impressed. Quality issues.

Then I found the Powerhand flare tool demonstrated on youtube.

I bought it on ebay from a seller in the UK, about $80, and had to wait
10 days for it to get to me:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181680836195?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

After a few practice flares I did the 2 under the car and the 4 at the bench.
All were good, no leaks.

If you need a tool to flare on the car, and don't want to spend 300+
on Mastercool, this is the one to get. It does only 3/16 SAE flares.
I believe there are other Powerhand kits for bubble.

Paid for itself on the first job. Easy to use and reliable.

 

[trackwelder]

I know it's more than you want to spend but I will never let my master cool set go. It has come in handy so many times especially nights and weekends. Never know when you might have to do a few fuel lines or bubble flare lines. In my opinion it's money well spent. My old set sits buried deep in a drawer.

 

[sleepy127]

Here is what I have and I like it;
http://www.zoro.com/imperial-tube-working-kit-10-in-l-steel-yoke-275-fsc/i/G8583312/

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I have the Eastwood set and it's awesome, but $200. If you are only doing a few flares, bend up your lines and drive down to your local hose/fitting store and have them flare them for a few bucks per flare.

 

[crbnfbr]

If you're only using it the one time on a couple brake lines why not just rent one from your local auto parts store? That's what I did when I had to replace a high pressure power steering line and when I had to replace a brake line that blew out. Why spend even $50 when you can use one for free?