Flaring stainless steel brake lines

[bigdon-70blazer]

I bought stainless brake lines from inline tube and they were pretty good as far as fit but they were too long in the back by 5 inches, so I thought I would by a flaring tool and double flare the line and re-bend it. It seems that I can't get the line to hold in the flaring block I got and I can't get a flare. Is this because I bought a cheap tool? Are the more expensive tools better able to handle this job? Help!

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by bigdon-70blazer

I bought stainless brake lines from inline tube and they were pretty good as far as fit but they were too long in the back by 5 inches, so I thought I would by a flaring tool and double flare the line and re-bend it. It seems that I can't get the line to hold in the flaring block I got and I can't get a flare. Is this because I bought a cheap tool? Are the more expensive tools better able to handle this job? Help!

The tube they use is very hard... You can use a better tool, like a Mastercool hydraulic flaring press, but that would cost more than the set of lines you bought.

[Willy Prost]

As you have found out, stainless is much harder to flare than "regular" steel.

That is why stainless tubing only uses a single 37 degree flare.

That means another tubing flaring tool that does 37 degree flares.

Polished stainless sure does look pretty, though.

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by Willy Prost

As you have found out, stainless is much harder to flare than "regular" steel.

That is why stainless tubing only uses a single 37 degree flare.

That means another tubing flaring tool that does 37 degree flares.

Polished stainless sure does look pretty, though.

The tubing he has is 45 degree double flared.

I use stainless annealed tubing from Summit and double flare it.

[Riveted1]

Originally Posted by bigdon-70blazer

I bought stainless brake lines from inline tube and they were pretty good as far as fit but they were too long in the back by 5 inches, so I thought I would by a flaring tool and double flare the line and re-bend it. It seems that I can't get the line to hold in the flaring block I got and I can't get a flare. Is this because I bought a cheap tool? Are the more expensive tools better able to handle this job? Help!

What kind of flaring tool did you get? Inline Tube sells ones for SS lines.

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by Riveted1

What kind of flaring tool did you get? Inline Tube sells ones for SS lines.

They sell these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Maste....c0.m245.l1318

[tcb-1]

hummm, I remember this conversation somehow??

[Green Machine]

Clamp that block in a vise, sometimes that extra pressure will hold it. Also I tighten the bolt on the block nearest the tube first, then tighten the far nut, get more leverage that way.

[cparman]

I agree with green machine. I have a MATCO brand double flare kit, and flaring the lines on my 67 Chevelle were a bear. IF you have a vise, and tighten the mess out of the clamp, it will work. I have a friend that just bought one of those hydraulic tools and he says it is the stuff.

[71BB_LWB]

I also use WD40 to lube the line while flaring. I have a Summit Racing flaring tool and I clamp it in the vise like stated before.