Making a double flare on brake lines

One of the steel brake lines corroded enough that it started to leak. So I need to replace a section of the line. Somehow it is something that I have never had to do before and do not have the tools. But I looked on the internet and found descriptions of how to do it and lots of discussion on RCM on problems one can have.

But what I did not find was anything about how to make the adapter used to make double flares. Have a lathe, should be trivial to make the double flare adapter.

In searching I found the Lisle sells the adapters. Naturally none of the autoparts stores carries the Lisle 31370 part, but found a bunch of mail order places that do carry it. Most of them sell the part at discount, but with a big shipping charge. The best total cost I found was Auto Parts 123 selling through Amazon. $2.18 for the part, and $5.23 for the shipping. Note this only is worthwhile if you already have a tool for single flares. After I get the part, I will try to post something so that others can make their own.

Dan

Reply to
dcaster
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There are variations on the angles, just depends on what type of fitting you have. Around here, Autozone lends those specialty tools out, charge on the card going out the door, refund coming back. Or hit a place that makes the lines up and have an exact replacement made up. NAPA's machine shop does that here. Brakes are something I don't take shortcuts with. Going is great, stopping is better.

Stan

Reply to
stans4

There are variations on the angles, just depends on what type of fitting you have. Around here, Autozone lends those specialty tools out, charge on the card going out the door, refund coming back. Or hit a place that makes the lines up and have an exact replacement made up. NAPA's machine shop does that here. Brakes are something I don't take shortcuts with. Going is great, stopping is better.

Stan

I've tried a few times to make double flares for a Merc that I own.

Disaster everytime. I ended up going to a brake specialist who took about 2 minutes to put the pipe into the flaring machine and press a double flare - for the cost of the pipe and fittings.

Reply to
Why is everyone so cruel

...

My son had a slightly different saying when he raced, "Brakes just slow you down"

Karl

Reply to
Karl Townsend

Any REAL auto supply will be able to get you the adapter required - possibly not Lisle, but one that will do the job.

Reply to
clare

The whole kit from OEM tools was not a lot of money, but making your own is a lot cooler.

Reply to
ATP

OK - agreed - BUT - it is going to need to be carefully heat treated too. A lot of the cheap crap out there (read that as Chinese Schlock) is NOT properly heat treated, and the little tit on the anvil breaks off if you look at it wrong.

For the cost of a decent kit you couldn't make the anvils for $0.50 an hour. For the cost of a CHEAP kit, make that about $0.05, and for a good kit about $5.00.

Jegs sells their "professional" double flair kit for $25.00 (cheap, lowend Chinese) KD sells theirs for about $55 - or $115 for the double/bubble kit. The Snap-on/Bluepoint double flare kit is about $100. The OTC kit is about $40..

Reply to
clare

OTC- that's the one I got. It did work.

Reply to
ATP

What's that Lassie? You say that snipped-for-privacy@krl.org fell down the old rec.crafts.metalworking mine and will die if we don't mount a rescue by Tue, 3 Aug 2010 12:34:29 -0700 (PDT):

The only one that I have seen is just like a giant tack.

The stem fits into the tubing. You use the cone of the flaring tool to push the stem into the tubing and the wall of the tubing has no where to go but out. This leaves a fat spot in the tubing. You remove the adaptor and drive the cone of the flaring tool to finish the job.

Reply to
dan

They'll pretty well all work ONCE if you are carefull. Owatona Tool (OTC) generally makes/sells pretty decent stuff at a reasonable price, as does KD Tools. Snap-on/Blue-point tends to be significantly higher cost, and slightly better quality - generally. The Harbour Frights of the world, as well as the WallMarts andPep-Boys etc generally sell the cheapest crap they can gdet away with, while Napa is usually closer to (the lower) middle of the road with their "ultra-pro" line

Reply to
clare

Automotive and HVAC tubing flares are 45 degrees. Aircraft flares are 37 degrees. The forming tools must be hardened or they gall. Here is a tip, use reloading case lube (lanolin). It makes the job easier and delivers a better sealing surface. Steve

Reply to
Steve Lusardi

degrees. The forming tools must be hardened or they gall.

delivers a better sealing surface.

STP works as well or better than lanolin, both for flaring and cartridge case lube.....

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Reply to
Gunner Asch

NAPA was the only place locally that I can find 'red leak detector dye', and 'Fast Orange' hand cleaner without pumice.

Reply to
Michael A. Terrell

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