What Flaring Tool?

[psyolent]

Hi All,

After several unsuccessful attempts at flaring some fuel line, and, watching the die walking on the tube end on an angle, it seems that the tool I am using (Supercheap, cheap crap, is in fact crap for the ally/steel pipe I am trying to flare).

What do other people use/recommend as a flaring tool?

[Holden202T]

yeah the cheap ones are just that, cheap and useless!

I have a ridgid brand one for doing brake lines, I have also used it to flare alloy fuel lines, since doing it I found out the JIC ends are a different angle to the brake line flares, but that said mine obviously screwed up tight enough to not leak!

VL400 is looking into a decent one for doing fuel lines etc with speedflow fittings, so he might be able to add a bit more detail.

https://www.ridgid.com/au/en/345-manual-flare-tool

[immortality]

I bought a flare tool for brake lines from Summit but you would need a proper tool to suit fuel lines. Also make sure the flare is suitable for what ever fittings you intend to use as there are differences between types/brands of fittings.

[festy]

I have a cheapish Summit 37° flare tool for AN/JIC flares - I had no problems with it on -6 aluminium lines, but wouldn't use it on steel lines.

[VL400]

I will most likely be getting a Ridgid 377, expensive for a few hardlines but still works out cheaper than using speedflow AN compression fittings where no flare tool is needed

Also to note, pretty much all the cheap (and expensive) flare tools locally are 45 degrees for plumbing, for AN/JIC fittings its 37 degrees.

[psyolent]

didn't think you could use those expensive compression fittings though on fuel line (which is what I am flaring FYI). i've seen the AN6 to 5/16 with compression olive and aside from the nasty price (although heaps cheaper from summit in the USA, even shipped) the idea of a non flared fitting on fuel line gives me the heebie jeebies, especially when it sits next to an exhaust.

i think that rigid one will get my money. note that there is a knock off of it as well on fleabay.

[immortality]

We used compression fittings at work over 100psi no issues.

But yeah, do it once and do it right

[festy]

didn't think you could use those expensive compression fittings though on fuel line (which is what I am flaring FYI).

Yeah the Summit catalog has a note in bold saying they're not for high pressure applications and seeing as they're sold as "Aluminium fuel line adapters" I assume high pressure = anything over about 6 psi.

[Holden202T]

Yeah I'm a bit apprehensive , flares for the win!

[antus]

Also some shops that do brake line work will do the flaring for you on their high cost + quality equipment. Depending how many you want to do (just 1 car?) it might work out cost effective to measure out the lengths and get a specialist shop to do the flaring for you.