Flare tool

[Jrgunn5150]

What are you guy's using for flare tools? I've only ever used the bar style, that kind of suck even when new. Which is exactly why I have a leaky fitting on Pigpen lol.

So my options are, as I see them,

1. Go get another bar style, and fiddle around until I get it right. I still have the rear line to make also, so it'll likely wind up in the river before I finish.

2. Go halfway, with something like this, https://www.amazon.com/ATD-Tools-5483-Master-Flaring/dp/B00H2W0ZCW Which it seems should keep the line straight, as long as it holds it well enough to keep it from pushing back.

3. Go full potato, and get this, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HHWASQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER which seems like it probably will outlast me, but man... It's 300 bucks lol.

 

[Dylan1991_1500]

I used the bar style. Mine was made by OTC that I got from Amazon. I clamped it in the vise and made my lines there. Worked like a charm, no leaks.

 

[Justin S]

One of the guys I used to work with bought a snazzy kit like that $300 one, and I borrowed it once, it definitely is nice to use, but I have trouble buying expensive tools, considering some of the vehicles I buy and drive cost right around that much! Plus I don't make that many lines and I just deal with the cheap bar style in a vise.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I used the bar style. Mine was made by OTC that I got from Amazon. I clamped it in the vise and made my lines there. Worked like a charm, no leaks.

I rented one from Autozone, and they pieced it together out of like three kits, the screw was all rusty and bent, it was an exercise in frustration lol.

I have more lines to make, on more project's than just this, so I'm going to buy one now, i just don't know which one. I hat eto throw good money after bad, and I also hate to use a 300 dollar tool if I don't really need to.

 

[Dylan1991_1500]

You can buy an entire new set for 40 bucks on amazon. People abuse the ones from Autozone or have no clue how to use them.

Exact kit I used.
https://www.amazon.com/OTC-4503-Sti...d=1468283448&sr=8-1&keywords=otc+double+flare

 

[Jrgunn5150]

You can buy an entire new set for 40 bucks on amazon. People abuse the ones from Autozone or have no clue how to use them.

Exact kit I used.
https://www.amazon.com/OTC-4503-Sti...d=1468283448&sr=8-1&keywords=otc+double+flare

I was wondering if that was the issue, I had one before that seemed like it worked fine for me. I suppose if that one is Prime they'll take it back anyway.

 

[Dylan1991_1500]

I've never tried to return anything Prime. I will say that the tool works great on the Cupro/Nickel line very nicely. 1/4" a little tougher to shape but no issues crimping. I bought that set and a bubble flare set from OTC at the same time when I was making fuel lines for one of my Nissans, worked great. I could see them getting worn if used commercially or in an Autozone setting but for what we are doing they are great.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I return Prime stuff all the time, sometimes they just give me my money back and leave the broken tool with me lol, like those worthless "Tekton" snap ring pliers.

 

[df2x4]

Amazon's return policy is amazing. I don't even have prime, but they've basically just given me $1-200 worth of stuff on multiple occasions. Guess sometimes it's just not worth it to them to have it shipped back.

 

[Bob L]

All I have ever used is the bar type same one for about 30 years. I put a little more sticking out than the guide says to and get good flares. I have heard that the expensive hydraulic tools don't work good on Copper Nichol. I have never used one. Being in the rust belt and doing auto repair for a living I do quite a bit of brake lines.