Need Advice on making stainless brakelines

[BarryB]

I'm not sure where to put this question, so I posted it here. Where can i get pieces of stainless tubing without getting it in set lengths from the parts store? I was told you could buy it in rolls but how would you straighten it out. Now I know there are kits you can buy, but I want to make my own , just because I want the experience.
I have also been told before that stainless couldn't be flared to the standard 45* flare, is this true? I am aware of it needing to be doubled flared also.
So hoping for some tips and possible sources.

[cdowns]

i believe to flare stainless properly you'll need a hyrdyolic flaring tool for a few hundred bucks

[LMDGUY]

some companys rent the tool.. I will look when I get home.

[mickeymouse]

Buy the tubing from Summit.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-220214/

It's annealed, so it will flare easily. You have to keep the flare "vice" tight.

I also use stainless brake fittings.

To unroll it, you bend it against the ground and straighten as needed.

[oldspowered67C10]

I bought my tube from McMasterCarr, its not cheap but its straight and comes in varoius lengths. I used a flaring tool from Rigid but I used AN fittings so it was 37 degree tool.

[8mpg]

I have never had luck with the Rigid flaring tool on stainless. To do it correctly, Id use a hacksaw to cut it. The regular cutting tool pinches the stainless and give is a chamfer. If you do try it, make sure you get a good reamer. This will straighten out the end and help it flare.

Hydraulic is the way to go if you can find someone with one.

Best bet is just to buy prebent ones.

THey also make tube straighteners...this is a nice one..they make cheaper ones:

[mickeymouse]

Originally Posted by 8mpg

I have never had luck with the Rigid flaring tool on stainless. To do it correctly, Id use a hacksaw to cut it. The regular cutting tool pinches the stainless and give is a chamfer. If you do try it, make sure you get a good reamer. This will straighten out the end and help it flare.

Hydraulic is the way to go if you can find someone with one.

Best bet is just to buy prebent ones.

THey also make tube straighteners...this is a nice one..they make cheaper ones:

I have no problems flaring the line I posted. Take your time and do it right. No issues at all.

[mbgmike]

We sell the tubing in just about any length. fall the fittings to. Or any Brakquip dealer has them. You can use annealed stainless and it flares and bends easier than the stainless used in most kits.It DOY approved also. I prefer to bend them unless on a stove stock truck.

[mbgmike]

Originally Posted by mickeymouse

Buy the tubing from Summit.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-220214/

It's annealed, so it will flare easily. You have to keep the flare "vice" tight.

I also use stainless brake fittings.

To unroll it, you bend it against the ground and straighten as needed.

Thats about double our price

[mickeymouse]

Originally Posted by mbgmike

Thats about double our price

I wish your website were more usable then. Can't find it there.

[8mpg]

Originally Posted by mbgmike

Thats about double our price

Are you guys coming up for Pate? Hoping to pick up some stuff like brake lines without paying big shipping.

[mbgmike]

Originally Posted by mickeymouse

I wish your website were more usable then. Can't find it there.

Not listed yet. It takes forever to list everything we sell

[mbgmike]

Originally Posted by 8mpg

Are you guys coming up for Pate? Hoping to pick up some stuff like brake lines without paying big shipping.

We are trying to get their but may not make it. Our shipping usually is not too high

[texastrendz]

hey mike, i am installing a front dropmember in my 72 c-10. I am keeping with the stock braking system. What size lines do you recommend for a stock system. I am wanting a line that does no require a hydraulic style flaring tool, but stainless would be nice. i would like to pick it up from you since you are just down the road. thanks daniel. p.s. it is a disc/drum setup

[usernamessuck]

Hydraulic hose and fitting shops here in Portland carry stainless tubing in long lengths. I don't know anything about it, but it may be a good resource where you are.

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by texastrendz

hey mike, i am installing a front dropmember in my 72 c-10. I am keeping with the stock braking system. What size lines do you recommend for a stock system. I am wanting a line that does no require a hydraulic style flaring tool, but stainless would be nice. i would like to pick it up from you since you are just down the road. thanks daniel. p.s. it is a disc/drum setup

You're not going to be able to buy anything off the shelf that will work with the dropmember. You need to bend it yourself. You can double flare annealed stainless without a hydraulic flaring tool.

[texastrendz]

thanks jlaird, just wanted really to know dia. and lengths. do you have to double flare the annealed stainless?

[oldspowered67C10]

As I understand it you dont have to double flare stainless but Im not absolutely sure. I never screw around w/ 45 degree stuff anyways. If youre going to go to all the trouble to make brake lines just go AN(37 degree). Sure it costs more up front but its cleaner, easier to deal with and can be disassembled countless time w/o losing its ability to seal. Just be sure to used steel or stainless fittings rather than aluminum.

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by texastrendz

thanks jlaird, just wanted really to know dia. and lengths. do you have to double flare the annealed stainless?

No, you can use AN fittings but there might be situations where you have to double flare it. For example at a proportioning valve or a MC.

[mclairmo]

I know this was not part of the original question, but I read that stainless steel is harder than regular steel and as such, stainless does not conform (or mold itself) to the sealing surface as well when bolted up and is more likely to leak, which is one reason the oem does not use stainless for brake lines. This is why I have always stayed away from stainless brake lines.

[oldspowered67C10]

3/16 is pretty typical for brake lines.