double flaring tool

[jlaird]

I need to buy a 45 degree double flaring tool for stainless steel. Where can I get a good quality tool at a decent price? A lot of the ones I have been looking at say not to use with stainless, so it looks like I need one specifically made to handle stainless.

Do I need a tubing cutter and bender specifically made for stainless also?

Thanks,
josh

[cdowns]

stainless is most difficult to flare the units i've seen for doing it are hydraulic and have been over a thousand dollars

[Billla]

Cdowns is right - you're NOT going to do this with the el Cheapo stuff from Harbor Freight.

I have not tried these, but Eastwood has some stuff they say will do stainless:

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...emType=PRODUCT

[71big block]

I've done stainless lines with my Matco double flair kit with no problems (btw I bought it on Ebay for $24) Go slow and a little oil helps.

[Shane]

I did this a few years back and by the time I purchased the tubing, the fittings, the bender AND the double flare tool, I could have bought the pre-bent lines for a good bit less.

[Billla]

Yeah...but well-bent custom hard lines are a thing of great beauty

[Riveted1]

Originally Posted by Shane

I did this a few years back and by the time I purchased the tubing, the fittings, the bender AND the double flare tool, I could have bought the pre-bent lines for a good bit less.

But now you have a bender and double flare tool to do more projects!

[jlaird]

prebent tube is out of the question: modified frame.

Inline tube has one for $85 that does stainless. I don't see why a tubing company like inline would sell a POS tool. I would assume this would do the job well and it's not a fortune. Any opinions?

[Fastfun]

Do not use 316 or 308 stainless it is to hard and will crack, there are softer stainless steel that will be able to be flared.

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by Fastfun

Do not use 316 or 308 stainless it is to hard and will crack, there are softer stainless steel that will be able to be flared.

I purchased the annealed stainless tubing kit from Inline.

[Fastfun]

Originally Posted by jlaird

I purchased the annealed stainless tubing kit from Inline.

You shouldn't have to much problem then.

[Billla]

Originally Posted by jlaird

prebent tube is out of the question: modified frame.

Inline tube has one for $85 that does stainless. I don't see why a tubing company like inline would sell a POS tool. I would assume this would do the job well and it's not a fortune. Any opinions?

I have their 37 degree tool and it's taken on everything I've asked of it. I've tried doing stainless with the basic tools and failed miserably...I guess it could be technique, but it sure didn't work for me.

[stope4]

not sure this does stainless but it shouldn't be too hard to find out.

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/MAS-71475.html

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/MAS-71300.html

[jlaird]

Heres some additional info: I just called inline. They said any quality flaring tool will work on their stainless because it is "fully softened." He also said to not cut the tubing with a tubing cutter, but to use a cut-off tool. I'm assuming the tubing cutter will harden the end.

So what are quality brands? Ridged, KD, Imperial, Snap-on?? Any others? I probably will pick one up on ebay, so that is why i'm asking about the brands.

[tcb-1]

I have a KD flare tool that I picked up at Napa for about $60.

like inlinetube said, do not use a tubing cutter. the reason is that you will "work harden" the tubing near the cut. this will in turn make it difficult to properly flare. use a dremel wheel and then a file to make sure you have a perfect 90 degree cut. then you will need to bevel the edge a bit with a circular file. (the KD kit has this file in it).

I just flared approximately 20 connections and none of them have leaked. (knock on wood).

practice makes perfect. oh and make sure you buy a good quality tubing bender. the tighter the radius the better.