I have a snap on kit that i've had for 10 years or so it does single or double flares, I use it all the time in the northeast we do brake lines alot never had any trouble with it with the exception of the die that goes in the tubing for the first part of a double flare breaking the pin. I've also used the hydraulic flaring tool theyre are slick and the versatility is great but cant justify the money for one. Imo you get what you pay for and a $30 parts store special is just that. I think my kit was $120 10 or so years ago but does come with snap ons warranty,a tubing cutter,all the dies to flare up to 1/2 inch and a nice sturdy plastic storage case. Just my 2 cents

1962 f250 currently heartless
1961 country squire 292 3 speed
1963 galaxie 390 powered
1976 f250 4wd 390 powered

The tape is something that I'll have to try the next time I make some new lines up. Thanks.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TUBE-BENDING-PLIERS-AUTO-BRAKE-FUEL-LINE-TUBE-BENDER-/220825460471?pt=Pliers&hash=item336a391ef7&vxp=mtr
I also used one of these for on the vehicle bending. It's OK, but I found I have to use two wraps of masking tape on the tube at the bend point to keep from kinking the tube.

Wow, just looked them up on the internet and their basic tool for double flares is $173 and change. couldnt imagine what my kit would have cost in the day because it has much more to it but I think I got it for $30 or so.

55 Vicky & customline

58 Rack Dump, 55 F350 yard truck, 57 F100

59 & 61 P 400's, 58 F100 custom cab, 69 F100, 79 F150, 82 F600 ramp truck, 90 mustang conv 7 up, 94 Mustang, Should I continue?

My kit is an Imperial Eastman kit and it not only does flares up to 1/2 " it also has dies to swell the ends of the tubing so you can connect tubing to tubing and sweat the joints. (Not recommended for brake lines) Dont know if they are still in bussiness, I bought mine at a bargain outlet that buys out old stores going out of bussiness.

55 Vicky & customline

58 Rack Dump, 55 F350 yard truck, 57 F100

59 & 61 P 400's, 58 F100 custom cab, 69 F100, 79 F150, 82 F600 ramp truck, 90 mustang conv 7 up, 94 Mustang, Should I continue?

Ha, I see the site is still screwed up, can't edit my previous post...

Anyway, have you tried AGS NiCopp brake lines. Nickel, Copper, Steel Alloy. A little softer than steel lines, Flares and bends easier.

"The Master Cylinder"

Enjoying life at the beach in SOCAL

Hi, Cal Van Tools seems to have the same item for ~ $30 less at Amazon.com Appears to be the same manufacturer. Got good reviews. I'm still thinking on getting one.

"The Master Cylinder"

Enjoying life at the beach in SOCAL

The hydraulic one s are leap yrs ahead of the old style we use, the dies that form the flares are precise.

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

I love my ATD. It's very easy to use and fits in tight places easily. I did all new brake lines on my '59 F100 with it. I just wish I had purchased the kit that has all the sizes instead of just the one because I still have a fuel line to fab up.

I am offering my advice based on my experience. I hope that's not bickering.

I absolutely blame the tool but again, let's be clear, I'm talking about a tool that cost no more than $30 (what is usually in stock at the local parts store) for my experience, not the 119.00 AU that Warren posted. For 4 times as much, I'd expect much better results.
The ones I've used were lacking in the qc department, clamping bars that don't quite line up with one another - you can't simply make them flush with one another, if you do that, the taper doesn't line up- wing nuts that are impossible to tighten sufficiently to hold the tubing without using pliers, they mar the tubing, sometimes so much that the nut doesn't slide back over without filing the tubing smooth. Even if I followed the instructions to a T, cutting the line square, deburing, setting the proper distance between the clamp bar and the end of the tubing, the results were poor. I've probably made over 100 flares with those tools. None of the flares were ideal by any stretch of the word. I'd estimate that maybe 40% were usable, would get you home, but nothing I would trust for a long term fix. Single flares, I never had an issue with. The double flares were terrible. I absolutely will not use one of them again. I'm not claiming to be a pro, or skilled, but they were junk.

On the subject of the hydraulic tool, have you used one yourself? That is one I'm considering.


Lawrenceville, GA