Flaring Stainless Tubing - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BowTieOgre · 04-19-2007, 02:18 PM

Has anyone had any luck flaring stainless steel tubing for use on a brake system? I tried the el cheapo kit from Harbor Freight and it just pushed the tubing out of the vise and bit into the conical die that is supposed to flare it! Most of the kits ive seen that are in the 2 digit price range either say 'not for stainless steel' or ' for flaring mild steel'. I just bought a Rigid kit from Home Depot that ive been told does well but if anyone has any advice I would surely appreciate it!

Also, ive been told that double flaring stainless tubing isnt a necessity due to the fact that it is a bit beefier than normal brake line...any truth to that?

Kris

thekid54 · 04-19-2007, 03:35 PM

I've been told that using stainless is a hassle and a waste of time. As you have found out, flaring it can be a challenge. A friend of mine who is a mechanic said that unless it's a show truck and you want your lines to look purrty, go with the steel. Now, I'm not saying I agree with that or that's what you should do, but is the time and extra money you spend going to be worth it? That is for you to decide, different strokes for different folks.

BowTieOgre · 04-19-2007, 05:01 PM

Normally I would have gone with regular mild steel lines but I got this stainless tubing for .30 a foot so it seemed like a good deal for me to bend and flare my own lines. Its NOT going to be a show truck but I was hoping it might make it stand out at a cruise in.

Im going to try to flare some tonight with the new kit...heres hoping.

BowTieOgre · 04-20-2007, 09:07 AM

Well I bought the Rigid brand flaring kit that someone suggested and it actually worked! I had to make sure the flaring vise was good and tight but it flared the tubing with no issues whatsoever! The kit only cost me about $40 so between that, the $75 I paid for 250' of various size tubing and the $10 in clamps and hardware I made out fairly good. Thanks to all who gave advice via replies or PMs.

thekid54 · 04-20-2007, 01:21 PM

Glad to see you got it to work!

AirMale · 04-20-2007, 06:36 PM

I have a rigid 37 degree flare tool that is a quality tool, just a little pricey.

04-19-2007, 02:18 PM	#1
BowTieOgre Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 1,461	Flaring Stainless Tubing Has anyone had any luck flaring stainless steel tubing for use on a brake system? I tried the el cheapo kit from Harbor Freight and it just pushed the tubing out of the vise and bit into the conical die that is supposed to flare it! Most of the kits ive seen that are in the 2 digit price range either say 'not for stainless steel' or ' for flaring mild steel'. I just bought a Rigid kit from Home Depot that ive been told does well but if anyone has any advice I would surely appreciate it! Also, ive been told that double flaring stainless tubing isnt a necessity due to the fact that it is a bit beefier than normal brake line...any truth to that? Kris __________________ 1986 C10 - LWB, 305/700r4, posi, vortec heads Last edited by BowTieOgre; 04-19-2007 at 02:19 PM.

04-19-2007, 03:35 PM	#2
thekid54 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: LA, CA Posts: 296	Re: Flaring Stainless Tubing I've been told that using stainless is a hassle and a waste of time. As you have found out, flaring it can be a challenge. A friend of mine who is a mechanic said that unless it's a show truck and you want your lines to look purrty, go with the steel. Now, I'm not saying I agree with that or that's what you should do, but is the time and extra money you spend going to be worth it? That is for you to decide, different strokes for different folks. Last edited by thekid54; 04-19-2007 at 03:35 PM.

04-19-2007, 05:01 PM	#3
BowTieOgre Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 1,461	Re: Flaring Stainless Tubing Normally I would have gone with regular mild steel lines but I got this stainless tubing for .30 a foot so it seemed like a good deal for me to bend and flare my own lines. Its NOT going to be a show truck but I was hoping it might make it stand out at a cruise in. Im going to try to flare some tonight with the new kit...heres hoping. __________________ 1986 C10 - LWB, 305/700r4, posi, vortec heads

04-20-2007, 09:07 AM	#4
BowTieOgre Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 1,461	Re: Flaring Stainless Tubing Well I bought the Rigid brand flaring kit that someone suggested and it actually worked! I had to make sure the flaring vise was good and tight but it flared the tubing with no issues whatsoever! The kit only cost me about $40 so between that, the $75 I paid for 250' of various size tubing and the $10 in clamps and hardware I made out fairly good. Thanks to all who gave advice via replies or PMs. __________________ 1986 C10 - LWB, 305/700r4, posi, vortec heads

04-20-2007, 01:21 PM	#5
thekid54 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: LA, CA Posts: 296	Re: Flaring Stainless Tubing Glad to see you got it to work!

04-20-2007, 06:36 PM	#6
AirMale Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Atlantic City, NJ Posts: 1,073	Re: Flaring Stainless Tubing I have a rigid 37 degree flare tool that is a quality tool, just a little pricey. __________________ 86 SWB 9.0 LITER T-400-OD 4.11 eaton-4/5 drop Best 1/4 12.51 @112mph no traction



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