Best flaring tool comprimise
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Junior User
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 59
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From: Upper Rio Grand, Colorado
Best flaring tool comprimise
Guys, my truck has been down for more than a week because of bad inverted flares on 3/16" tubing. My old Ridgid tool works acceptably well on 1/4" tubing but won't make a decent 3/16" flare even by accident. Until I get this problem resolved I've got no brakes in the truck (and it's not like the tool is worn out; I've never used it for 3/16" tubing before this project).
I either need a flaring tool of acceptable quality or switch the truck over to AN hoses, which I would have already done if I could find the fitting to match the Ford MC.
Anybody got any suggestions? The truck is my '90 C-350.
I either need a flaring tool of acceptable quality or switch the truck over to AN hoses, which I would have already done if I could find the fitting to match the Ford MC.
Anybody got any suggestions? The truck is my '90 C-350.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
You can get an OEM brand through the free toolrental program at autozone or advance. Worth a shot. You can also get pre flared sections of tubing and piece them together with unions. If you are doing a long run this way ive had the best luck by estimating the length, buy pices that should come up 1-2 feet short, then work from both ends leaving a section out wher you can make a zig zag or loop in case a premade line isnt exactly right.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 59
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From: Upper Rio Grand, Colorado
I should have included that it's 70 miles to anything other than a Napa (and 35 miles to the closest Napa).
I have pieced some stuff together, but there's no way (that I've thought of) to get around the fact that the brake master cylinder doesn't use 3/8" fittings on the 3/16" tubing. There either has to be an adaptor (no luck there), or you have to put the old fittings on the new tubing and flare, at least, that one end of tubing on both tubes.
I'll send $20 to the first person to point out either the right adapter (FORD 9/16"nut for 3/16 tube x 3/8" tube nut, with the right 9/16" thread pitch, or the same thread/adaptor characteristics that would let me go straight to a -3 or -4 AN hose from the master cylinder.
Short of an adapter, I gotta get an acceptable flaring tool.
I have pieced some stuff together, but there's no way (that I've thought of) to get around the fact that the brake master cylinder doesn't use 3/8" fittings on the 3/16" tubing. There either has to be an adaptor (no luck there), or you have to put the old fittings on the new tubing and flare, at least, that one end of tubing on both tubes.
I'll send $20 to the first person to point out either the right adapter (FORD 9/16"nut for 3/16 tube x 3/8" tube nut, with the right 9/16" thread pitch, or the same thread/adaptor characteristics that would let me go straight to a -3 or -4 AN hose from the master cylinder.
Short of an adapter, I gotta get an acceptable flaring tool.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
Napa should have a bunch of short lines with different size fittings on each end. Get them to pull a master cyl off the shelf and see if they have an adapter line that screws into it and has the standard fitting on the other end.
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Junior User
Joined: May 2016
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From: Upper Rio Grand, Colorado
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,728
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From: Cleveland, TN
If they are like the NAPA stores I have been in, the brand name will be Bridgeport for the adapters.. Good luck!!!
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Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 59
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From: Upper Rio Grand, Colorado
Twenty years ago I would have just bought the damn thing, but in more than 40 years of wrenching I've needed something like that maybe twice. On the flip side though, if the truck still isn't drivable by the end of the coming week, I'm pretty sure one of these will be heading to SW Colorado.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 5,552
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
i use the cal-van in line flaring tool:
there are cheaper ones that only do 3 sizes: and some that only do one size
the in line flare tool makes a perfect flare every time.
i do not even know where the old otc clamp tool is, i have not see it in over 20 years.
there are cheaper ones that only do 3 sizes: and some that only do one size
the in line flare tool makes a perfect flare every time.
i do not even know where the old otc clamp tool is, i have not see it in over 20 years.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
I used a cheap flaring tool from O'Rileys, it is a two step flaring tool.
and a 25 foot roll of steel brake line and made what I needed.
the old fittings that were on, I replaced from O'Rileys....
one thing I found out is that if you split the flare, it will leak and you'll have to cut the line and re-flare. do it right the first time!
I replaced a lot of rusty brake line on mine that had been pieced together, easier just to make one solid brake line from a 25 foot roll,
and sometimes when you piece together brake line, you still have to reflare because the line will be too long.
3/16ths line is so small that you can pretty much bend it to any shape you want without using a tubing bender, just dont kink/pinch the line closed.....
and a 25 foot roll of steel brake line and made what I needed.
the old fittings that were on, I replaced from O'Rileys....
one thing I found out is that if you split the flare, it will leak and you'll have to cut the line and re-flare. do it right the first time!
I replaced a lot of rusty brake line on mine that had been pieced together, easier just to make one solid brake line from a 25 foot roll,
and sometimes when you piece together brake line, you still have to reflare because the line will be too long.
3/16ths line is so small that you can pretty much bend it to any shape you want without using a tubing bender, just dont kink/pinch the line closed.....
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 16
From: DFW Texas
I used a cheap flaring tool from O'Rileys, it is a two step flaring tool.
and a 25 foot roll of steel brake line and made what I needed.
the old fittings that were on, I replaced from O'Rileys....
one thing I found out is that if you split the flare, it will leak and you'll have to cut the line and re-flare. do it right the first time!
I replaced a lot of rusty brake line on mine that had been pieced together, easier just to make one solid brake line from a 25 foot roll,
and sometimes when you piece together brake line, you still have to reflare because the line will be too long.
3/16ths line is so small that you can pretty much bend it to any shape you want without using a tubing bender, just dont kink/pinch the line closed.....
and a 25 foot roll of steel brake line and made what I needed.
the old fittings that were on, I replaced from O'Rileys....
one thing I found out is that if you split the flare, it will leak and you'll have to cut the line and re-flare. do it right the first time!
I replaced a lot of rusty brake line on mine that had been pieced together, easier just to make one solid brake line from a 25 foot roll,
and sometimes when you piece together brake line, you still have to reflare because the line will be too long.
3/16ths line is so small that you can pretty much bend it to any shape you want without using a tubing bender, just dont kink/pinch the line closed.....
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Upper Rio Grand, Colorado
I stumbled across this little device. It only does 3/16" line, but that's all that's on these trucks anyway. For $40, it may be worth a try.
Eastwood On Car Flaring Tool for 3/16 Tubing
Eastwood On Car Flaring Tool for 3/16 Tubing