Anybody find one that works on 3/16" tube? I have tried 4 different ones, although they are basically the same. None of them do anything other than push the tubing down through the clamp. They all do single flair fine. One was a Harbor Freight, one a Sears, and I dont know the brands of the other two although they were different enough to know they were not made from the same mold. Yes I followed all instructions and lubricated the tips with brake fluid, But still have had no luck. The coated brake lines are worse than the untreated steel line. SO the search continues.
I use an "imperial" for 45 degree double flares. It works good on steel tubing but it will not do stainless.
My sears one worked fine. I did tighten the wing nuts down with pliers though, otherwise my brake line slid too.
I also used channel locks to tighten the clamp so the clamp itself must be the problem in all these tools. A friend of mine has a milling machine. I was thinking of getting him to take about .005 of each mating surface and see how that works.
I have heard that the flaring tools that use a second, side mounted screw help keep the flanges together. Never used one, but maybe worth a shot. http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/345-Flaring-Tool
Have you seen the Matco Hydraulic flaring tool? It works awesome! I also know someone that has the Mastercool knock off, it's less than half the price. I have a ratcheting Ridgid, and an Imperial.
I have tried all kinds. And have had a lot of failures. I had the best results when I tightened the wingnut closest to the tube completely then tightening the other really tight. Are you tapering the top with a file as well. I would like to try the hydraulic type like the one from Eastwood
cheap tools from harbor freight and even sears will cause problems you get what you pay for try the sandpaper trick or mill or sand some off the mating surfaces to tighten up the way it clamps
I have had the same problem with different brand tools. What I found to work best is to get a small " C " clamp and when you're set to flare, just clamp it on the two sections that hold the tube as close to the tube as possible. I've done many flares and double flares since then and never had the tube slip! The best position is right over where the tube fits in the half moon sections of the tool. That little bit of extra pressure is all it takes!
I use the hyd Matco tool nearly every day here (brake lines rust away up here after a few years) I have also replaced the 3/16 die twice in 2 years (It gets used up and wont make a proper flare after heavy use... My only complaint with it). It is expensive but for as much as I use it...Its paid for its self many times over. Clamping force is allways the issue with the 2 piece set ups...None of em hold well. The C clamp method does work well...
Yes, and the dies dont live long at all in a production / shop setting. For light use though, probably fine...For a while.
