![]() |
|
![]() |
#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Tomball, TX
Posts: 578
|
brake tools
I'm replacing all the brake lines in my truck so I'm looking into getting all the tools necessary to do that. first off is a double flaring kit, I've found stuff anywhere from $15 to over $100, anybody had good or bad experiences with any particular brand?
also a tubing cutter, do I need to use a brake tubing cutter? or will any tubing cutter work ok? I figure if I've already got some kinda tubing cutter laying around the shop somewhere I'd just use that.
__________________
'68 C10 LWB 6.2NA/NP833 3.73's |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: NC
Posts: 987
|
Re: brake tools
The flaring kit you use will depend on the tubing material. I used stainless steel line and had very good results with a Blue Point flaring kit I found on ebay. If you are using steel line, which is softer, you might be able to use a cheaper kit. Regardless, I would not use a $15 kit, but I did not spend $100 on mine either.
For a cutter, I used the cutter in the kit but also used a air cutoff tool as well. Both worked well. The cutter tool was still very sharp. I did, however, bevel the tube end so less material was being flared. Clean the inside diameter of the tube and then bevel the outside diameter. This made an enormous difference in the quality of the flare. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 412
|
Re: brake tools
I have tried a few of the cheapie sets, they sucked. I have a Blue Point one now that works flawlessly. I think it was around $40 off the Snap-On truck.
__________________
Brett |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Muskegon,MI,USA
Posts: 6,026
|
Re: brake tools
I got my set from Eastwood and it has worked well for over 10 years.
Jim
__________________
1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Active Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area.
Posts: 7,947
|
Re: brake tools
I've tried the local store for flaring tools and they're basically worthless unless you're doing copper or aluminum. It's the same with the cutting tool you use. Make sure it's the cutter is designed for the material you use.
As mentioned above, I'd stick with the name brand stuff and avoid the made in China brands. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Tomball, TX
Posts: 578
|
Re: brake tools
I looked on snap on website and found one for $48, $55 after shipping, but I'll probably check at some parts stores and see what they have. I'm about to go look up the eastwood set.
__________________
'68 C10 LWB 6.2NA/NP833 3.73's |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Jonesboro, AR
Posts: 916
|
Re: brake tools
Subscribed 'cause I'm in the market too.
I got one at Sears on sale and it worked good for a while.. It was a cheap one. Precision or something like that and the threads are starting to strip. The clamp doesn't align great and sometimes affects the angle of the flare. Not the 45* but the angle it comes off the end. Definitely go with better quality. I will next time. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Restoring it $200 at a time...
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: NE Kansas
Posts: 886
|
Re: brake tools
I like an excuse to buy new tools as much as the next guy, but in this case I'm all for letting someone else do it. $185 will get you all the hard lines in stainless, pre-bent (a huge time saver IMO) with fittings. We may even have some vendors that carry this.
My $0.02 http://inlinetube.com/
__________________
Charter member of the 'Put the dimmer switch back on the damn floor where it belongs' Society '68 5.3L-4 speed LWB C20; grandpa bought it for the farm in '71. Now LS 5.3, rather than 327. DD '09 Pilot Weekender '65 Skylark 300-4V-4 speed Wife's '07 Lexus ES350; 117 actuator motors and I can't see the engine. Son's '04 F250 SuperCab 6.0 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Watch out for your cornhole !
![]() Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Azle, Texas
Posts: 14,162
|
Re: brake tools
I have the Snap-On flaring tool that I bought off of their website for something like 55 dollars. It's a good one.
I recommend not using a tubing cutter at all. They work harden the tubing as you use it which makes the flare process much more difficult. Use a cut off wheel to make your cuts instead. I learned that little trick after years of using a cutter and it does make life much simpler.
__________________
I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: May 2009
Location: las vegas nv
Posts: 1,493
|
Re: brake tools
good info! ill be buying a flare tool in the near future
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 75
|
Re: brake tools
A set of flare nut wrenches is worth the money. Very handy even with all new materials, but priceless when working on older stuff. It will save you from rounding off flare nuts or screwing them up with vice grips.
I paid ~$40 for a craftman set a couple months ago. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
laying low
![]() Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Searcy, Ark. USA
Posts: 13,269
|
Re: brake tools
Something worth mentioning here is I believe brake lines require a double flare. Not all flaring tools can do this. Unless a guy just wants to do it himself that $185 for the whole set prebent, ready to go sounds good. All new from one end to the other.
__________________
Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Watch out for your cornhole !
![]() Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Azle, Texas
Posts: 14,162
|
Re: brake tools
Yes, brake lines require double flares.
__________________
I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
Middle-aged Curmudgeon
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Independence, MO
Posts: 753
|
Re: brake tools
Another vote for the Snappy/Blue Point flaring tool. I've had mine for 15 years and it worked great. Finally broke a wing off one of the nuts (from overtightening) so I tried one from the hardware store. It was beefier than my Blue Point but wouldn't grip the tube.
Get the Blue Point.
__________________
Bret Check out the site's Truck Tech FAQ. Be a site supporter. My more-or-less pathetic build thread. Board members I've met: ------------------------------ Longhorn Man Dieselwrencher jholley big mike71 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Hollister Road Co.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Houston
Posts: 6,134
|
Re: brake tools
I got a Ridgid 345DL you can make a bad flare with it. It was about $75
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Toppenish, WA
Posts: 15,516
|
Re: brake tools
This well used unit is the same one that most of us here have in our tool boxes. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SNAP-...item3a54cb6fa7
It looks like the handle is missing but most of us probably use a #2 Phillips screw driver anyhow as the handles always seem to get lost. I've had mine for close to 40 years and although it needs a new pin in the hinge end it still works good. As the others said, make sure that the tubing is cut square and that it is chamfered a bit and deburred. Also, practice making flairs before you do the real ones as it does take a bit of practice to get them right. As far as the flair nut wrenches go I wasn't too happy with the ones I got from Craftsman but the ones that NAPA sells under their NAPA tool brand are nice units for a fair price. You will still need some tube bending tools to make the bends and although I have a tool box drawer full of them I don't have any recommendations as each seems to work or not work at times. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Tomball, TX
Posts: 578
|
Re: brake tools
I've been looking around on ebay and I've found some labeled for thin walled tubing, is there any difference, and will this work for my brake lines?
__________________
'68 C10 LWB 6.2NA/NP833 3.73's |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Tomball, TX
Posts: 578
|
Re: brake tools
any help?
__________________
'68 C10 LWB 6.2NA/NP833 3.73's |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
|
|