Brake Pipe Flaring Tool

[cybernck 402 1 Cars]

I'm after a flaring tool for brake and fuel pipes. I'd also like a cutter and a bender.

 

Any recommendations? I've seen many cheap ones on eBay. Do they do the job fine?

[Tom Fenton 1,541]

As with most tools you get what you pay for. The cheap ones will do the job but the Sykes Pickavant cam action one will do the job faster neater and is generally much less fiddly to use. This is what I have.

[Ryan 99]

I've got one of those cheap ones where you clamp the pipe in a flat bar and then screw the dies down on it to form the flares. It's a piece of crap - you have to do every flare 3 or 4 times before you get a good one.

 

If it's something you'll use a lot them go for a good bench/vice mounted tool like the one Tom mentioned, but you're looking at £100 second hand. If it's only for occasional use then any decent garage will flare pipe for a few quid. It all depends whether you think it's worth buying your own tool or not.

[welshpug 1,657]

£100 used, or £100-150+ new! (price varies dependant on how complete you need the kit)

[Tom Fenton 1,541]

As with anything if you bide your time you can get one at the right money. Mine was £70. Don't be tempted to hold out for the full set, as chances are you will never need anything other than the 3/16" dies.

[SurGie 54]

The cheaper ones are a bit of a pain but what i found is that when turning the lever to flare it, turning it really hard till it wont move at all makes a good flare for me. I put the pipe holder into a vice for easier use, still hard to undo once flare is made due to having a small T peice handle.

 

I managed to do a full car set well enough with it but i'd prefer this one i think http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Franklin-Tools-Hand-Held-Brake-Pipe-Flaring-Tool-AF2003-3-16-SAE-on-vehicle-use-/200834563513?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item2ec2ac3db9

 

I debur the inner and outer edge so it flares much easier, i always make sure every last bit of swarf has gone as this can weaken or break the pipe if left in the pipe.

[omega 82]

The cheaper ones are a bit of a pain but what i found is that when turning the lever to flare it, turning it really hard till it wont move at all makes a good flare for me. I put the pipe holder into a vice for easier use, still hard to undo once flare is made due to having a small T peice handle.

 

I managed to do a full car set well enough with it but i'd prefer this one i think http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2ec2ac3db9

 

I debur the inner and outer edge so it flares much easier, i always make sure every last bit of swarf has gone as this can weaken or break the pipe if left in the pipe.

 

 

good job theres a warning on the grease else i would it eat it!!!!!!!

[Alastairh 47]

I have one similar to Tom. Worth paying extra if you can see doing more than one car. Good reliable, quick flares.

 

Al

Edited November 6, 2012 by Alastairh

[cybernck 402 1 Cars]

Well, I'm not planning on using it on daily basis, just make about 20 flares on complete new brake pipes for my Miami. And fuel pipes too.

 

Then perhaps use it on another car in the future.

 

Therefore, I see no point in investing in a semi-pro tool - IF the cheap ones will sort me out, that is...?

[SurGie 54]

This is the one i have, i use it the way i already mentioned. Its not too cheap yet good enough for my whole car and possibly another, like you i will only use it once in a blue moon so to speak. I make sure the pipe is level and straight before flaring it, i use a mini round file to debur the inside nice and neat. Its difficult to use on the car but possible, i might extent the handle to make undoing it easier when on the car that is.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/laser-2943-flaring-tool-kit?da=1&TC=SRC-flaring+tool

 

Edited November 6, 2012 by SurGie

[richystran 7 3 Cars]

I just bought one of those cheap ones, complete rubbish they are. The pipe slips and doesnt produce a good flare. I ended up borrowing a decent one off my uncle and the difference is day and night. I just couldnt justify buying one like his though, for all the pipes i make. If you can just borrow one.

[Anthony 1,003]

The cheap clamp type ones can work just fine. I've got a Laser one I bought years ago, it works and makes reliable decent flares and have done several complete cars with it.

 

"A bad workman blames his tools" is apt here.

 

I've no doubt that an expensive one does the job quicker, but to suggest that the cheap ones don't work is simply wrong. If the pipe is slipping or it is making poor flares, then either you've an exceptionally bad kit or, more likely, you're not using it properly.

[welshpug 1,657]

I've had a lazer and draper tool in the past, and they worked fine, but this £10 el cheapo I got because a mate still has mine, is utter crud, even though it looks the same!

[Jer309GTi 3]

I've only ever used the Sykes Pickavant one previously mentioned, and it has always made perfect flares, never tried a cheaper one though so can't comment on whether they work or not

[ORB 227 1 Cars]

As above. Sykes. My father used to be on the board at Sykes, therefore I have a lot of SP gear. One of my fave tools is the brake pipe kit. It's just so easy and reliable. Yeah, it's not cheap, but it works, abut like Stella Artois

[Anthony 1,003]

Yeah, it's not cheap, but it works, abut like Stella Artois

... in that it gives you an almighty hangover and has resulted in a few beaten wives?

 

You're not selling the Sykes tools to me very well...

[allye 530 3 Cars]

Hey! Stella is a fine continental lager with a bad reputation! I've always found spoonies do a good pint of ice cold stella

 

Back on topic. I have always used one of the vice mounted ones similar to this;

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Metric-Brake-pipe-flare-kit-4-75-10mm-FTC05M-/280698908055?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item415af56d97

 

Really good bits of kit, perfect flare every time, never had a problem even the first time I used it. Once you've used it a few times you get the feel of the lever making the flare just right, hard to explain but they are good and worth the money in my opinion.

[omega 82]

Hey! Stella is a fine continental lager with a bad reputation! I've always found spoonies do a good pint of ice cold stella

 

Back on topic. I have always used one of the vice mounted ones similar to this;

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item415af56d97

 

Really good bits of kit, perfect flare every time, never had a problem even the first time I used it. Once you've used it a few times you get the feel of the lever making the flare just right, hard to explain but they are good and worth the money in my opinion.

 

iam sure this tool is a fantastic bit of kit but if you replacing your brake lines on your own car with copper nickle it will be a one time only job so this will be about 10 pounds a flare!

[Ryan 99]

...and then you can sell the tool for 80-90% of what you paid for it.

[Daviewonder 533 3 Cars]

I've got one of the cheapo jobbies, it cost under £15. I've had it for about 5 years and done several full sets of pipes and lots of single ones. It's all about making sure you do it properly and take your time. What I've found is that winding it back and forth as you wind it down to make the flare does a better job (think 3 steps forward, 2 steps back).

[johniban 59 1 Cars]

I use one of them expensive ones, yeah the cheap ones work but when your covered in brake fluid and everything is splippery, a vice mounted flare tool is superb.

i find a small 3'' air cut of tool clean cuts through the pipe quickly and easily then a little sand paper to smarten up the edges before flaring works a treat, im just really poor and bending and shaping

[pug_ham 244 3 Cars]

I have one of the SP flaring kits, same as Tom, Alastair etc.

 

For the price it has more than proved its value (s/h off ebay) & the only downside for it is the vice mounting for an in situ job.

 

I have used the hand held kits but even using a pipe cutter to chop the pipe it could wobble & ruin the flare occasionally.

 

The type of pipe material you use makes a difference also though, the tougher cupronickle doesn't work / form as easily as copper on the hand held flaring tools in my experience.

 

g