Advice on brake lines
 

I am trying to plumb my brake system using steel line. I need a dependable double flaring tool. the ones that are available at most automotive rental are hit and miss. i tried the Triton tool and cound not get anything close to a double flare.



what would you recommend


thanks


David

Re: Advice on brake lines
 

Imperial Eastman...
If they are still around.
Or Snap-On... (I believe these were made by Imperial back in the day)
I have the Snap-On set for 45* double and the Imperial Eastman for 37*
Hope this helps...

Re: Advice on brake lines
 

Master cool 71475

Re: Advice on brake lines
 

Like he said above, Mastercool hydraulic flaring tool, hands down. You'll never go back to a manual flaring tool.

Re: Advice on brake lines
 

Mastercool makes brake lines an enjoyable job.

Re: Advice on brake lines
 

thanks for all the help, a master cool will be here on tuesday

Re: Advice on brake lines
 

I would recommend copper nickel brake line, bends easy flares great and does not rust. Just got done with my car and it turned out nice. Tom

Re: Advice on brake lines
 

A K-D will work. You have to squeeze it in a vise as close as you can to where the threaded clamp goes on .
If you let it slip, it takes out the serrations in the bar.

Re: Advice on brake lines
 

The auto parts store tools are awful. That style of tool is okay, IF you get a quality one.

I have that big Mastercool set. It does a great job. Like any tool, you have to use it a few times to get comfortable with it. It does a lot of different types of flares - bubble, push loc, A/C. Probably overkill if you are just doing straight flares, or inverted flares. They do smaller sets with the hydraulic tool and just the adapters you'll likely need.

I have had guys tell me the Eastwood tool works great, never used one so I can't say.

If you are doing AN type fittings, you'll need to get the 37 degree tooling to do it right as opposed to cheating it with the 45 degree stuff.

I like to use the "Bundyflex" zinc plated steel tubing. Comes in 25' rolls. It's harder than the CuNi stuff, will hold it's shape better and should be bent with tools. The green coated tubing is miserable to flare and also too soft.

Re: Advice on brake lines
 

is 37 degree with just plain steel lines safe?

Re: Advice on brake lines
 

I recently made up all new brake and fuel lines with the Ni-Copp tubing , which works great, and flares nicely. I have also struggled in the past, even with my Snap On double flaring tool, trying to get a nice, uniform double flare. A couple of years ago, I bought an inline flaring tool, from my local NAPA store, and it works so much better than the typical double flare tool that has a bar with multiple holes for different size tubing. My inline flaring tool is only for 3/16" tubing, but it does them very well, and as a bonus, is much more compact, so very handy for making flares while under the car, or in areas with limited room to work.

Re: Advice on brake lines
 

you must have a talent i do not have, i tried the triton on car and could not get an acceptable result

Re: Advice on brake lines
 

I don't post much, but I love Ni-cop.

It's hard to make pretty for a show car. It's to soft to make clean bends in my opinion.

I won't use anything else for a daily driver or anything that would be off-road or see salt/brine. The brine seems to really eat any GM brake line. Especially, over the fuel tank.

I buy it in rolls. Made a jig to straighten it out. Works okayish, but still not pretty. It's to soft to make clean bends. It's really easy to bend by hand, so easy to put in factory clamps if that applies towards your application.
I use an old school Rigid flaring tool.

If I'm correct, BMW was first to use it many years ago. I could be wrong though.

Re: Advice on brake lines
 

37 degree inverted double flare is used with regular steel or stainless tube with AN fittings and tube/sleeve connections.

45 degree is the common automotive SAE inverted hardware.

AN stuff will be more money, but is worth it IMO.

Re: Advice on brake lines
 

i was not aware that stainless could take a double flair

Re: Advice on brake lines
 

I was under the impression NiCor line was not allowed or at least frowned on because it has a low melting point and kinkes easier than steel. I have a coil of it on the wall and am redoing my lines too.

Re: Advice on brake lines
 

I've done some nitrous plumbing in SS. It can be double flared if it is annealed. Requires a good flaring tool. Some people feel it doesn't need to be double flared for brake lines, although I don't agree. Probably overkill for most unless you want to polish it for a show car look.

I haven't used it in a long time. I prefer the old style "Bundyflex" zinc coated steel. Harder than the CuNi and green coated stuff. But not so much so that it is miserable to work.

If appearances matter, it can be cleaned up with some fine scotch brite and WD40 to a nice satin look.

Re: Advice on brake lines
 

i am using the bundyflex.

Re: Advice on brake lines
 

Brake lines are a pleasure with this.

Re: Advice on brake lines
 

have one on its way

Re: Advice on brake lines
 

37 degree tooling is available by itself if you're going that route. More cost effective to get the whole kit - 3/16 to 1/2.

Re: Advice on brake lines
 

I've been using an old Imperial, similar to this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/18551982762...Cclp%3A2047675
I just learned something this past year.
I was having a hard time stopping a new double flare from leaking. After googling, I found out if you don't quite finish the second flare, when you tighten the flare nut, it will "finish" itself. I.E. the flare will finish forming as you tighten it against the seat. Presto! After making several flares, including making a new line when it got too short, using this technique, it sealed on the first try.
Maybe this is common info, but I thought I'd mention it.

Re: Advice on brake lines
 

Rule book states that brake line must be DOT approved, which NiCopp is.

Faster classes require steel. I do highly recommend very good support for the rear brake lines. I have had a flare break in the flare nut at the caliper due to vibration.

Re: Advice on brake lines
 

I have a flaring kit I got from Inline Tube. It will double flare stainless brake line without annealing. I have done lots of show cars and some race cars with this. Most race cars I do 37 degree with tube nuts and sleeves. I love this tool!! Part # TLF08 and the 37 degree dies are seperate. Stainless lines and some Kugel Komponents line clamps are the bomb!!

Re: Advice on brake lines
 

I have the same kit with 45 degree dies. I've only used it on steel lines, but it works great.