Brake line flares, what's good enough

[AllenKarber]

I just struggled with brake line flaring the past two Saturdays. Last weekend my Dad and I tried using a cheap flaring tool from Oreilly,and it tore up on top of not flaring worth a crap. The same thing happened with one from AutoZone. The flares just didn't look good at all.

I looked at flaring tools and articles about flaring all week long until my head spun. My Dad finally borrowed an Old Forge flaring tool,and we also used WD40 when cutting. We also spent a little more time filing and chamfering the line before flaring,and we tightned the snot out of the flaring tool bolts too. It finally worked like a charm! A job that should've only taken a few hours took two weekends pretty much.

I have no leaks so far!!

[1964C10]

FYI. I was having no luck making good flares so I dig into figuring out what was causing it. As it turned out the pin on the anvil that goes inside the tube was both not thick enough and not long enough so when pressure was applied it would wobble one way or the other. So not getting any better I decided to see if I could improve it. I drilled out the pin in the anvil and inserted a long piece from I think a 4d nail. about 1.5" long. This was just too thin as well but working better. So I wrapped the pin in one wrap of electrical tape and that worked like a charm! 5 crimps 95% perfect. Then I decided to see if the tape was necessary and left it off, of course that crimp didnt turn out right so put the tape back on and it came out fine again. Here is a picture of the mod.

[ERASER5]

This not really brake related, but I used the same tool.

My vacuum line to the vacuum advance was not in too good of shape, so I pulled it off. Not having any extra of the correct size, I fumbled around the garage looking for that certain something. I would know it when I see it kinda deal. Well, I did find it, 3/16" brake line. I bent it to shape from the carb to the advance. Grabbed the double flare kit and I used the first step to "upset" the tube into a bell on both ends. I cut good pieces from the old vacuum tube and I had a new steel/rubber vacuum line to the dizzy.

[fleetman]

couple other things of note.
after cutting end and cleaning burrs on inside of tube (use deburring tool or proper size drill bit - hand held reaming)... - lay out a piece of emery cloth and gently put a little kerf on the outside edge of the cut end.
also anothe rhint i saw someone recommend was smearing a little brake fluid on the sizers and the pointy end of crusher. useing brake fluid helps lube and ease the surface contact and doest contaminate the lines (like if you were to use oil or someother wrong lubricant).
great post. hope my 2 cents helps.

[HotRod C/10]

great info!

[lolife99]

I have a couple different flaring tools.
My "old trusty" is a KD brand flaring tool I've had for a LONG time.
Works every time, and is small enough to re-flare a line installed on a vehicle if neccessary.

However I recently got to use my new Eastwood flaring tool.
I have to say,... it is incredible and super fast to use.
Makes perfect double flares!
Well worth the "over $200" price tag.