04-12-2017, 09:15 PM | #1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: CO
Posts: 58
|
Brake flaring
I have a 95 chevy K1500 short box and being a MN truck it has a good chunk of rust on the frame and brake lines. Is there a decent brake flaring tool between $30 and 50 bucks that does double flares on like stainless steel lines? not braided SS just regular stainless steel line.
|
04-12-2017, 09:32 PM | #2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Maryland
Posts: 47
|
Re: Brake flaring
unfortunately it seems there are either really cheap kits or really expensive ones. I just went through this with my 454ss all the cheap kits cant handle the Stainless, so your stuck either buying a expensive kit or maybe see if you can rent/borrow one from the local parts store.
|
04-12-2017, 09:55 PM | #3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: CO
Posts: 58
|
Re: Brake flaring
well the autozone double flare tool kit couldn't even do a single flare on my 97 camaro's rear brake line so I doubt it'll do stainless without scraping the heck out of it. So whats the least expensive brake flare that'll do stainless?
|
04-13-2017, 10:28 AM | #4 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Centerville,Ma.
Posts: 1,223
|
Re: Brake flaring
Have you considered using the copper nickel brake lines. They don't rust and are easier to work than the steel lines.
|
04-13-2017, 01:32 PM | #5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: wheaton IL
Posts: 659
|
Re: Brake flaring
ive been the brake line guy at every mechanical job ive ever had as no one likes to do them, i always enjoyed doing them for some reason. and all the cheap kits just suck, for some reason when your tightening the tool always wants to go sideways and make a ugly flare
even using some of the snap on ones it still takes a while to get used to. i finally broke down and bought one of these amazing tool that goes in your vise, you can literally make factory perfect flares in like 5 seconds once you get the hang of it. they go for around $200 which is not practical for someone whos going to do brake lines once every 10 years my best advice is just pick up any old cheap flare kit and just practice on a few lines before doing the one you want to do |
04-13-2017, 09:06 PM | #6 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1,305
|
Re: Brake flaring
Quote:
Most parts stores carry the copper nickle stuff now. VERY easy to work with! I picked up a Craftsman flaring tool and it has served me well for the past 10 years. It has been used 40 times at least although I've never used it on stainless. Paul
__________________
"You know that little thing in your head that keeps you from saying things you shouldn't? Yeah well, I don't have one of those" 1969 Mercury Cougar Standard 4 speed 1969 Mercury Cougar XR7 convertible 1970 4WD Chevrolet Suburban 1997 4WD Chevrolet Silverado Extended Cab Short Bed (purchased new January 1997) |
|
04-13-2017, 11:18 PM | #7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: CO
Posts: 58
|
Re: Brake flaring
well it still has to atleast do the factory rear steel line on my camaro. I'm not entirely sure about replumping all the brake lines on my first race car build. I guess I could order some aluminum or copper nickel lines for the truck. I do plan on doing brakes for quite a few of my project vehicles so it might be worth it to buy a decent flaring tool.
|
04-14-2017, 04:26 AM | #8 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Yucaipa, Calif.
Posts: 786
|
Re: Brake flaring
I think you can buy a pretty good flaring tool for less than $100. Mine is not as nice as the one pictured above, but I've had good luck flaring SS lines up to 3/8". My hands were a little sore afterwards due to the pressure needed to work SS lines vs. steel lines. I can't remember where I got my tool but it didn't come from Harbor Freight.
__________________
1989 K1500 Chev. EC Original owner; some of the aftermarket parts I've installed are Borla headers, Hypertech chip, Edelbrock water pump, and a Stillen rear disc brake conversion kit. 2009 Hummer H3T 3.7L 5M (sold) 1997 K2500 Chev. EC 7.4L/ 4L80E 2018 Dodge Ram 2500 HD R/C |
04-14-2017, 07:28 AM | #9 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Centerville,Ma.
Posts: 1,223
|
Re: Brake flaring
I bought a hand old school flaring tool about 30 years ago and is the only one I have ever used. It is not a cheap china knockoff but wasn't expensive either. I have flared stainless with it but only once. I do an average of 3 or 4 brake line jobs a year so it serves me fine. Not as quick as the newer tools but just as effective.
|
04-14-2017, 01:47 PM | #10 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: wheaton IL
Posts: 659
|
Re: Brake flaring
Quote:
|
|
04-14-2017, 04:46 PM | #11 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: .
Posts: 2,186
|
Re: Brake flaring
Quote:
Stainless line is hard. I used a cheep flare tool for years, and it worked great. It would do stainless, but it was a little harder. I have since upgraded to the mastertool hydraulic flare tool. I personally prefer coated steel brake line. It will never rust, and in comes in straight lengths instead of a roll, and its easy to bend. All I buy is 6ft pieces. |
|
04-14-2017, 08:13 PM | #12 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: CO
Posts: 58
|
Re: Brake flaring
Quote:
|
|
04-15-2017, 10:05 AM | #13 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: wheaton IL
Posts: 659
|
Re: Brake flaring
Quote:
|
|
04-15-2017, 10:22 AM | #14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: .
Posts: 2,186
|
Re: Brake flaring
Every car made in the last 10 years has had coated lines. Brake line repairs will become a thing of the past in the future.
|
04-15-2017, 08:20 PM | #15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: CO
Posts: 58
|
Re: Brake flaring
|
04-19-2017, 02:39 PM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Alamogordo, NM
Posts: 719
|
Re: Brake flaring
After struggling with cheap flaring tools I also went with this tool. Excellent investment! I even bought the 37 degree dies for AN fittings.
I've discovered that the pain of buying an expensive tool is long forgotten after I realize the ease of using it just a few times. |
Bookmarks |
|
|