tools for bending brake/fuel lines suggestions......

I want to bend and flair my own brake lines and fuel lines. Can anyone recomend a good tool for doing the flairs? Would a braded steel line work as good for a brake line?

any other suggestions on how to make them or what to use??

Thanks..........

 

For flaring brake lines I use this kit from Eastwood, $30, works nicely.

I can't say much for a bending tool as I bring home our Parker tubing benders from work, there about $150 a piece, not really affordable to buy.

 

McRuff, will that work with fuel lines? If not, can you recomend one that will?

For the brake line flaring, I think that looks like it will do the tirck. Thanks......

 

You need a 45deg double flare for the brake lines, and a 37 if you use any AN fittings on your fuel lines.

 

Cool!!. Well I'm makeing the brake lines from scratch. Hydroboost, disc/disc on a D44/D60 with at least a 39" tire.

So what is the best system I can build? Braded lines? Hardlines? AN fittings? How would you more knowledgable guys do it?

 

Can I do both the fuel and brake with the same tools? And what size tubing for each?

 

For fuel I'd stick with 3/8 if possible. Brakes 3/16. If you use AN hoses all the number means is x/16. So if you have a -8 hose it would 8/16--1/2. If you had a -6 it would be 3/8s. If you use AN on the brakes you'll need some adapters to convert from the npt threads. But summit and all those parts houses sell those.

 

I broke down and bought these tools froom Eastwood....

http://www.eastwood.com/professional-brake-tubing-flaring-tool.html

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-brake-forming-tool-pliers.html

There are "better" times, than others, to buy anything from Eastwood.

First, I became a "member". I did this, WHEN I bought this flaring kit. At that time, Eastwood was throwing in the pliers for FREE, when you bought the flaring kit. Becoming a member costs about $25.00/ year.

Secondly, being a "member" means that anything that you buy, for a year, has absolutely FREE shipping, including the flare kit and pliers that I got that day. So the $25.00 saved me $15.00 of shipping THAT DAY!

I have a powdercoating setup, and being a member saves 15% on ALL powders, AND free shipping. I buy tons of stuff from them, so my $25.00 has greatly paid for itself.

They also email you with specials, all the time.

THAT'S what I meant about buying at the right time.

Trust me...I have NO affiliation with Eastwood, AT ALL, even though it sounds like it.

Anyway, I have a lot of brake and fuel line work to do, so I bit the bullet. This particular flare tool can make perfect double flares, with hardly any effort. It works like a dream.

Sorry for rambling on, but I had to let that out!

Rich

 

here s a brake line bender http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?category=&q=tube+bender

and here s a flaring tool http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?category=&q=flairing+tool

 

Rich,
I think you will like that flaring tool, I have the same one. You can make a 45° double flare on 3/16 brake line in about 30 seconds.
Compare that to trying to use the cheapo tools they sell at the FLAPS with the clamping bars that crush the line, and the flaring expander button that sticks in the line after the flaring operation. Damn thing broke the first time I tried to use it on 3/16 line.

Don

 

I've used the flaring tool, Don, and absolutely love it. I've bought a cheapie model ($25.00, or so) before, and cursed all the time I was using it. I sold it locally for 15 bucks!

Rich

 

Are you talking about the flaring tool that McRuff suggested from Eastwood?

 

Takes me about 3-4 minutes per flare, not bad considering how many flares I have done with it (my jeep and lieutenant mikes) and how many I will do in my lifetime. While I like to buy good tools I still have to justify the price, 12-20 flares on a jeep does not justify a $225 tool, at least not for me. YMMV

 

Speedway Motors is a very good source for lines whether double flare or AN fittings.

 

I've been using AN fittings for many, many years but never realized this. Guess I'm either slow, stupid or both.

 

I just learned it about a week ago when I was researching for my fuel system on the TJ

 

I'm with you Mcruff. I want to buy a tool that works. But for the number of flairs I'll do in my lifetime, I don't mind taking a few minutes as long as it works.


So the flair kit from Eastwood
The tube bendy plires from Eastwood
3/8 tube for fuel
3/16 for brake lines
Use AN fittings as I can to make everything work.

I'll buy the 20 foot rolls to make the lines. Hopefully I can find AN fittings I can slide on the lines before I make the flairs so I can minimize the adapters.

I buy the little clips that attach to the frame and hold the lines in place.

Guys, I think I can do this. Thanks for all the help.

And if anyone sees where I'm screwing up, please let me know........