3/16 flaring tool

[seanc]

Need to double flare 6 brake lines, I’ve used the sp flaremaster2 in the past which is a great tool but just a bit pricey to make 6 flares. Can anyone recommend a cheaper alternative ?

 

[Ashley Burton]

This is the one I use:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181063197795

 

[steveo3002]

yeah the above is cheapest one that does quality work ..always sell for good money if you wont need it again

 

[doubleboost]

I use the same on it will flare steel

 

[steveo3002]

be aware theres din or sae flavours

 

[Rig Pig]

Another vote for that tool, it's the only one I could find that will flare steel pipe in situ so I could replace the corroded section without a full repipe. I posted on here about it a year or so ago.

 

[Craig-SM]

and another vote, great that it can be used in confined areas

 

[Ashley Burton]

and another vote, great that it can be used in confined areas

Don't I know it!

Front brake pipe repair between V8 engine & front chassis leg

Yeah I wouldn't recommend it

 

[MetalMonkey]

I know I've said it before and been in the minority but I have two of those for DIN and SAE flares and I have had issues with the threads stripping out in the blocks just flaring copper nickel pipes.

I Exchanged it thinking it was a one-off and the same thing happened.
I now have a SP master flaring kit and also a flaremaster II and they are great, although I’ve naturally I’ve had very little use for them since I sprung for them....

 

[armalites]

I now have a SP master flaring kit and also a flaremaster II and they are great, although I’ve naturally I’ve had very little use for them since I sprung for them....

I have the exact same combination, I often just make a flare just for fun and to keep practiced.

Both absolutely lovely bits of kit to use.

 

[armalites]

Need to double flare 6 brake lines, I’ve used the sp flaremaster2 in the past which is a great tool but just a bit pricey to make 6 flares. Can anyone recommend a cheaper alternative ?

I fully understand what you are saying about the cost but you are talking about the difference between something that will do the job and something that is the very best hand hold unit money can buy for £80 more.

I would argue that if you are at the point where you want to make 6 brake lines then it's likely you'll do it again in the future.

I also realise that to many people £80 is a big investment.

 

[Ashley Burton]

I fully understand what you are saying about the cost but you are talking about the difference between something that will do the job and something that is the very best hand hold unit money can buy for £80 more.

I would argue that if you are at the point where you want to make 6 brake lines then it's likely you'll do it again in the future.

I also realise that to many people £80 is a big investment.

At the end of the day it really does depend on how often your going to use said tool

If your in a workshop environment, Then 100% I would probably spend the extra as no doubt you would probably use the tool more often & the larger investment would be worth while

But with DIY usage I would just buy something good enough for the job. I rarely do that many brake pipes

 

[armalites]

At the end of the day it really does depend on how often your going to use said tool

If your in a workshop environment, Then 100% I would probably spend the extra as no doubt you would probably use the tool more often & the larger investment would be worth while

But with DIY usage I would just buy something good enough for the job. I rarely do that many brake pipes

For me it's not about how often it will be used, I like having stuff that does the best job or feels nice to use. I also like stuff where spare parts are readily available.

My stuff is for home use although I do a fair bit but it's very rewarding to do the very best you can instead of just getting the job done.

I use one of these too, but many people would not understand how much better a perfectly straight pipe is even though you'll never see it.Look
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KWIX-3-1...045639?hash=item34076037c7:g:kEgAAOSwD9lcm0Rb

My other argument is a Flaremaster 2 costs the same a 1 hour of labour at a main dealer or 2-3 hours at an independent.

Really good tools can be a bit of an anti-climax, you spend a chunk of money on them and they get the job done so quickly and easily you feel you didn't get anything out of the experience.

We are all different and in different situations but at the end of the day we should all do what suits us best, I know people who would be shocked at someone spending £150 on a tool to make some brake pipes but wouldn't think twice about spending £120 on a pair of top brand jeans or spending £80 a week on fags or £100 a month on Sky TV

Horses for courses as they say.

 

[steveo3002]

ive got both of the above , i wouldnt slate the handheld one at all its not a cheap and nasty , i come about the vice mount sykes for cheap and had to have it , nice if youre making alot of pipes but the little hand held one would make a pipe before ive got the vice mount out of its box


only one i wouldnt reccomend is this style , shouldnt be sold , theyre terrible

 

[doubleboost]

We have a vice mounted pipe flare tool at work think it is the SP type
This is in daily use
Often brake pipes are joined and just the corroded section replaced
Personally i use a male male joiner (some people put a mail nut in to a femail nut)
This is done from new on some vehicles but with steel pipe .
The small flaring tool mentioned above is the best i have used to flare steel pipe on the job .
When i started it was all steel "bundy" pipe .
I have seen all to many times the wrong nut with the wrong flare

 

[keithski122]

I have a bluepoint version of the one that Steve says is terrible and have used it as a mechanic for years, must have used it hundreds of times.I did first have a problem with it snapping the pip on the die but once I discovered reaming out the pipe after cutting (inside diameter shrinks with a roller cutter) I haven't broken any.It may be just the cheap versions are terrible.

 

[steveo3002]

yeah fair point mine was a cheap one , dont like how it marked the pipe with teeth marks either

 

[mr haynes]

My trusty flaremaster didn't last time it came out to play, ram had died
The cheapy backup(like one above) was pressed into service and did the job. A little more care is needed to get a reasonable flare. If only for a couple of pipes and to keep in toolbox for emergencies, reckon the cheapy will be fine

 

[seanc]

Just looking at the lines I need to do and I think 2 of them are 1/4 inch and 1 is 3/16 so il need one than can do both

 

[Melvyn Best]

Just looking at the lines I need to do and I think 2 of them are 1/4 inch and 1 is 3/16 so il need one than can do both

If you mean the type in the first photo I don’t think it’s available in 1/4” only 3/16 and the 4.75 mm