Flaring stainless tubing

[hogfarm]

I am trying to flare some stainless tubing for my Brake lines and fuel lines.the brake lines are OK but the bigger 3/8" is to hard to flare,I am using .032 wall.If I cant get this done I may have to use mild steel tube

[1project2many]

Stainless is tougher to bend and form. Here's a pro level tool that I use...


http://www.mastercool.com/product/71475/

It's probably not worth the cost for a single job but it is a great tool. It also makes bubble flares, GM fuel injection flares, and some quick connect flares! I bought mine maybe 10 years ago and I couldn't tell you how many times I've used it.

I also have some nice bending tools:
https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/600-ser...rument-benders
Again, not cheap.

[Advanced Design]

I have the same Mastercool kit and it works really well. While a bit pricey, it sure eliminated the frustration of trying to do the work with poor quality tools. I've also seen an Eastwood flaring tool in some of the posts here and members are stating they have good results.

Some guys have painted their steel fuel / brake lines after they had them formed up and fitting. Depending on the look you are going for, maybe that would be an option for you?

[MARTINSR]

A friend loaned me that same Mastercool tool for my son's Falcon brake lines and I can't scream from the roof tops enough how great that tool is!

I had did flare and reverse flare tubing with cheaper (though quality) tools before, I gave up, never to do it again. I would buy pre-made tubing and that was it, if the length wasn't perfect I would make it out of a few, or put a little bend here and there to shorten it, that sort of thing. There was just no way I was going to make them, it was a joke......that was until my friend loaned me that tool!

Heck, the last two lines on the car, I just picked up a 3ft long piece, didn't matter what fittings were on it, wham bam I just made two new ones out of it using the fittings from some other lines, BAM, done.

The very last one I made my son make it. He is 19 and had never touched something like this. He made an absolute perfect line from scratch.

I can not say it enough, this tool makes it so damn easy it's crazy and if there is any chance you will ever make lines again, just buy the tool! It works for fuel lines too, it's a very very valuable tool to have. It makes it so easy to make lines it's just crazy!

Brian

[hogfarm]

Originally Posted by MARTINSR

A friend loaned me that same Mastercool tool for my son's Falcon brake lines and I can't scream from the roof tops enough how great that tool is!

I had did flare and reverse flare tubing with cheaper (though quality) tools before, I gave up, never to do it again. I would buy pre-made tubing and that was it, if the length wasn't perfect I would make it out of a few, or put a little bend here and there to shorten it, that sort of thing. There was just no way I was going to make them, it was a joke......that was until my friend loaned me that tool!

Heck, the last two lines on the car, I just picked up a 3ft long piece, didn't matter what fittings were on it, wham bam I just made two new ones out of it using the fittings from some other lines, BAM, done.

The very last one I made my son make it. He is 19 and had never touched something like this. He made an absolute perfect line from scratch.

I can not say it enough, this tool makes it so damn easy it's crazy and if there is any chance you will ever make lines again, just buy the tool! It works for fuel lines too, it's a very very valuable tool to have. It makes it so easy to make lines it's just crazy!

Brian

I put a drop of oil on the 3/8" line. Worked a lot better. But then split the tube.
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[thunderjet]

You don't say if you are trying to single flare or double flare. Generally speaking, stainless line should be a single 37 degree flare for use with AN style fittings. Stainless usually splits when you try 45 degree double flares.

[hogfarm]

Originally Posted by thunderjet

You don't say if you are trying to single flare or double flare. Generally speaking, stainless line should be a single 37 degree flare for use with AN style fittings. Stainless usually splits when you try 45 degree double flares.

I didn't want to use AN and the 37 deg flare. What I wanted to do was a 45 deg double flare. But if it not going to work I can regroup.
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[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by hogfarm

I put a drop of oil on the 3/8" line. Worked a lot better. But then split the tube.
Posted via Mobile Device

I have found that anything above 1/4" you need to anneal the end of stainless tube to get it not to split, double flaring 3/8 is almost impossible

[mr48chev]

I have the Eastwood Pro Brake tubing flaring tool and it works great on steel tubing but I haven't had cause to use it on stainless.

This tech tip from Jegs brings up one thing that is a necessity to get good flares every time and that is chamfering the ends of the tube in an out and using a saw or tubing cutter and NOT using a cut off disk. Chop saws or cut off disks heat and harden the metal where you cut it and it is hard to work or machine it afterwards. http://www.jegs.com/tech-articles/flare-tech.html

[mongocanfly]

I've not used a mastercool but have the eastwood..a buddy of mine has one and it works great..

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

I have the Eastwood Pro Brake tubing flaring tool and it works great on steel tubing but I haven't had cause to use it on stainless.

This tech tip from Jegs brings up one thing that is a necessity to get good flares every time and that is chamfering the ends of the tube in an out and using a saw or tubing cutter and NOT using a cut off disk. Chop saws or cut off disks heat and harden the metal where you cut it and it is hard to work or machine it afterwards. http://www.jegs.com/tech-articles/flare-tech.html

The tubing cutter that came with the Mastercool works awesome. At least I think it came with it, I don't see one in the photo of the tool above.

Brian

[hogfarm]

Originally Posted by MARTINSR

The tubing cutter that came with the Mastercool works awesome. At least I think it came with it, I don't see one in the photo of the tool above.

Brian

Took my propane torch and annealed the end of tube,and with a drop of oil no problem doing double flare on 3/8" tube
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[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by hogfarm

Took my propane torch and annealed the end of tube,and with a drop of oil no problem doing double flare on 3/8" tube
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SS always works better hot or annealed, if you do it cold its a PIA

[roger55]

Originally Posted by hogfarm

I didn't want to use AN and the 37 deg flare.
Posted via Mobile Device

I say go with the AN.

I've never had an issue with leaks using AN and 3/8" line fittings. IMO, it's the way to go.