Stainless brake lines

[nevermind65]

Hello,

Has anybody come across a good way of double flaring 3/16" stainless brake lines besides using a hydraulic flaring tool? I already broke one tool, although it was rather cheap. Should I just go back to good ole steel and save the agony?

Thanks.

[Roger Bolick]

By far the best way to do this...

Is to find an old fashioned auto parts or brake and clutch supply and just purchase the straight lines already flared with tube nuts. Generally these are supplied in certain lengths, I found that by re-routing slightly you can generally use up the extra couple of inches by going around the long side of a bracket.

Using the highest quality 3/16" double flare manual tool I was able to get about 2 of 3 to fold nicely, with lesser tools it was worse and the tool usually broke. This was slow and painful, hence the suggestion above. The pre-made lines are usually zinc plated steel, but that just makes the bending easier as well. Clear coating helps retain the shine.

[flwolfman]

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but stainless doesn't need double flaring due to it's increased strength. Just flare and go. Jim

[vettestr]

I do everything I can on the bench where I have a vise to hold my flaring tool. Then I have the leverage and can see what I am doing much better. I also pay very close attention to the distance tube protrudes from the anvil or tube clamp during process.
When doing the last few ends on the chassis I can often C-Clamp the tool to a 5 ton jack stand, again to free up my hands so not fighting to hold the tool and do the flare.

[nevermind65]

Well, I bought a new flaring tool yesterday. It is a really good one that they claim will flare stainless. We'll see what happens.

I used the vise on the old flaring tool, but it was a piece of scrap. I'll give the stainless another shot. If that doesn't work, on to straight steel lines.

Thank you.

[trularin]

I have stainless for brake and fuel. I single flared because of the strength and it was NOT necessary. I haven't had a problem.

The fuel lines are sweet as I used brass for the couplers and that made the routing smooth and orderly.

Got all of my lines from InLine tube in Shelby county in Michigan. They even flared one very hard to flare end for me.

Hope this helps.

[JAC]

What's the difference between a regular flaring tool and one for stainless? I bought stainless line for the brakes. Haven't tried to flare it yet. Will a single 37° flare for AN fittings work? Thanks.

[vettestr]

The AN as you know uses 37 degrees and standard automotive flare is 45* and you should match to proper use. A 37* flare on a 45* fitting means a very thin contact area, much less than as designed. You do not want a failure after a few heat cycles or at a higher pressure down the line.
My best hint is pay close attention to amount of line left out of flare tool or the anvil end. The directions in your kit tell you too use the part that goes into the line as a depth gage, you leave amount of 1st lip out of anvil to make bend in proper location and material amount.

[nevermind65]

I found the trick, and it was actually very simple.

A good flaring tool.

My brother gave me an older Blue Point flaring kit, and it created the double flare like butter. The cheap P.O.S. kit I had went in the trash. The double flares look great.

Thanks for all your help.