Steel tube flaring tool
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Steel tube flaring tool-update
I've been trying to double flare the 3/8" diameter steel tube for my pump to carb gas line. I have a couple of light duty flaring kits and they can't clamp up tight enough on the tube to stop it from slipping. What kind of tool is best. I've seen K-D and Ridgid that look more heavy duty than my Sears.
Update: I bought the Ridgid #345 Flaring tool and it worked great (After a few trial and error parts). I used the buttons from the cheap set. Bought it from http://WWW.tools-plus.com for $39.65 plus shipping. They sell the buttons too. Thanks for all the advice.
[Modified by Duke94, 7:57 PM 11/8/2002]
Update: I bought the Ridgid #345 Flaring tool and it worked great (After a few trial and error parts). I used the buttons from the cheap set. Bought it from http://WWW.tools-plus.com for $39.65 plus shipping. They sell the buttons too. Thanks for all the advice.
[Modified by Duke94, 7:57 PM 11/8/2002]
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 5
From: Roxbury NJ
Re: Steel tube flaring tool (Duke94)
The cheaper tools never hold tight enough for a double flare. The correct solution is to buy the Rigid tool. *My* solution was to clamp the cheap tool into a bench vice to increase the clamping force. Put the tubing into your cheap tool and then tighten it as much as you can, then put the whole thing in a bench vice and really clamp down on it. Works great!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Re: Steel tube flaring tool (MikeC)
I think I got mine at Home Depot.... can't remember. I got 2 junkie ones before the Rigid one that worked and I am a little unsure now of which one came from where. I think I found the Rigid at Home Depot after being told they don't carry those things - try a plumbing supply store! :rolleyes: MJ
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Re: Steel tube flaring tool (Duke94)
Duke94, Have you seen lars paper on how to make a fuel line? It is very detailed and I found it extremely helpful. Available at http://www.corvettefaq.com
MJ
MJ
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Cumberland RI
Re: Steel tube flaring tool (Duke94)
Is this the same Ridgid company that makes all the power tools you see at Home Depot? I ask because I always considered them mediocre quality yet you guys think pretty highly of the flaring tool.
Also, I am faced with replacing my foward-to-rear running brake line. I'm guessing this is usually done with the body off (doesn't seem possible otherwise). I'm thinking I could cut the line in half and create a connection with a flare tool/kit. Has anyone ever done this on a brake line? Do you think it'll be safe???
Also, I am faced with replacing my foward-to-rear running brake line. I'm guessing this is usually done with the body off (doesn't seem possible otherwise). I'm thinking I could cut the line in half and create a connection with a flare tool/kit. Has anyone ever done this on a brake line? Do you think it'll be safe???
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,953
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Steel tube flaring tool (Duke94)
Thanks to all. I've ordered the Rigid.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Re: Steel tube flaring tool (1970 Stingray)
I found the Ridgid at http://www.tools-plus.com. I assume I can use the buttons that I have for the double flare if it doesn't come with any. I think the trick is to have jaws that are rather thick so more surface area grabs the tube.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Illinois
Re: Steel tube flaring tool (vett70)
Same Ridgid. I heard that Home Depot "borrowed" (bought/licensed, whatever) thier brand name to sell their power tools. Ridgid's been making some top notch stuff (like the flaring kits) for years. The Home Depot thing is recent. Old Ridgid stuff = great, Home Depot Ridgid stuff = what you'd expect from Home Depot.
Rob
Rob
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,752
Likes: 0
From: Chattanooga TN
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Re: Steel tube flaring tool (Duke94)
Just buy a cheap tool and use aluminum lines. I just use a little wenol on mine from time to time, and they shine right up. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Connecticut
Re: Steel tube flaring tool (vett70)
Also, I am faced with replacing my foward-to-rear running brake line. I'm guessing this is usually done with the body off (doesn't seem possible otherwise). I'm thinking I could cut the line in half and create a connection with a flare tool/kit. Has anyone ever done this on a brake line? Do you think it'll be safe???
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Re: Steel tube flaring tool (joe73vette)
The thing that makes the Rigid flaring tool work while the others dont is the extra vice-like screw-in piece on the side. This holds the tubing tight. The Rigid flaring tool is a bit more heavy-duty than the $10 tool I got at Pep Boys, and the $10 tool I got from Harborfreight, both complete junk so quality is a relative term!! :)
MJ
MJ
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,953
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Steel tube flaring tool (MNJack)
The thing that makes the Rigid flaring tool work while the others dont is the extra vice-like screw-in piece on the side. This holds the tubing tight. The Rigid flaring tool is a bit more heavy-duty than the $10 tool I got at Pep Boys, and the $10 tool I got from Harborfreight, both complete junk so quality is a relative term!! :)
MJ
MJ
OK, I got the tool, but where can I get the part to do the double flare? NA at Home depot.
Thanks
Len
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 5
From: Roxbury NJ
Re: Steel tube flaring tool (1970 Stingray)
Len, I got mine from Harbor Freight, and I've also seen it in the Summit catalog.
Here it is for $9.99: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40878
Here it is for $39: http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=9617
I bought the Harbor Freight model, but the only thing I use out of the kit is the 3/8" die for double flaring. The die work fine, the clamps are junk. I have never seen the dies available separately. This die and the Ridgid clamp will work great together.
-Joe
Here it is for $9.99: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40878
Here it is for $39: http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=9617
I bought the Harbor Freight model, but the only thing I use out of the kit is the 3/8" die for double flaring. The die work fine, the clamps are junk. I have never seen the dies available separately. This die and the Ridgid clamp will work great together.
-Joe
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,953
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Steel tube flaring tool (Flareside)
Len, I got mine from Harbor Freight, and I've also seen it in the Summit catalog.
Here it is for $9.99: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40878
Here it is for $39: http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=9617
I bought the Harbor Freight model, but the only thing I use out of the kit is the 3/8" die for double flaring. The die work fine, the clamps are junk. I have never seen the dies available separately. This die and the Ridgid clamp will work great together.
-Joe
Here it is for $9.99: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40878
Here it is for $39: http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=9617
I bought the Harbor Freight model, but the only thing I use out of the kit is the 3/8" die for double flaring. The die work fine, the clamps are junk. I have never seen the dies available separately. This die and the Ridgid clamp will work great together.
-Joe