Re: Double Flaring Tool

[Duane_Gullett@domain.elided]

Greetings,

Reading the flaring tool discussion I decided to chime in.

I do all of my own tube flaring, brake lines, power steering lines, etc....
Here are my lessons learned..

I also purchased my first tool at the swap.. Also for $20.00 it was the KD
tool (new). I used it successfully several times. The only problem was that
I couldn't hold it in my hand so I would put it in the vise. When I would
turn the handle (the mettle rod that slides through the head) it bent like
a pretzel so I cut it off and used a screw driver to turn the tool.
Eventually while applying torque the head sheered off and put a gnarly cut
on my hand. I was pissed....

I started looking for a better tool...

Sears does carry a double flaring tool, but it is not Craftsman, it is
Sears brand, which means that it is not guaranteed.
It is of poor qualitly and the tubing will slide out the bottom of the
holder... Pass on the Sears brand.

I spoke to a Snap-On and Mack tools representative and they both carry
double flaring tools (at a premium) but they do not make them. They sell
the exact same one as KD tools but with their logo on it. They do give you
their lifetime guarantee though..

I thought I would buy a good Rigid flaring tool and use the mandrels from
the unit that broke. As a fathers day gift my wife bought the rigid flaring
tool for approx. $80.00. Tool looks great.. But there is not enough
clearance to use the mandrels. The Rigid tool was only meant for single
flares (they may offer a double one but either it was to expensive or I
couldn't find one, I don't remember now) Back to square one....

I happened to be in PEP boys and they had the KD brand double flaring tool
(same one that broke) but miss priced at $7.00 so I purchased the three
sets that they had.

I took the unit that sheered off and ground the head so I could use a
crescent wrench on it when flaring the tubes. When I flare a tube I use the
KD tool and mandrel to create the "bubble" and then I transfer the tube to
the Rigid flaring tool to complete the flare.. The Rigid tool makes a
uniformed flare where the KD doesn't... The KD tool want to press the
center of the tube to make the flare, the Rigid tool rotates around the
inside of the rim of the tube to make the flare. It comes out much
nicer....

I continue to use the KD and it hasn't broken a second time. When it does I
will modify one of the new ones I bought as backup and continue.. I (now)
always wear gloves and eye protection when flaring tubing....

Duane