The best:Re: Flaring tools

["Owen" <renarac@domain.elided>]

My opinion is that the flaring tool made by RIGID(they do $$$ pipe threading
tools and pipe benders too) is by far the best. The base is about twice as
thick as any other I've seen. The upper press part is one large cast steel
unit that has a heavy screw clamp on the side of it that is part of the cast
unit. No cheezy end clamps that allow the bars to bow.
The press screw part has a depth guage, so one you set it up, you can
tighten it down till you can't turn the handle any more. Then it just spins
and you know your first flare is completely pressed.

I bought the thing at a swap meet for $20 and it was the best $20 ever
spent. I've seen them in the MAC tool guy's truck for $$$($100+) and also at
a local plumbing jobber supply house.

-----Original Message-----
From: John Hofstetter <hofs@domain.elided>
To: ihc@domain.elided <ihc@domain.elided>; Bennett Moe <bmoe@domain.elided>
Date: Thursday, July 23, 1998 10:14 PM
Subject: Flaring tools


>>Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 21:56:47 -0400
>>From: "Bennett Moe" <bmoe@domain.elided>
>>Subject: Brake Lines
>>
>>OK, guys
>>
>>In taking my brake lines off, I twisted a few of the ends off to free
>>them from the hubs. So now here I sit with two gnarled pieces of brake
>>lines. I would just assume fabricate them myself, so my question is:
>>where is a good place to get a double flare tool for making these
>>buggers? I see tubing benders everywhere, but no flare tools.
>>- -Bennett Moe
>>'53 R-110
>
>Bennett,
>A flaring tool is one of the tools that needs to be well made. Harbor
>Freight sells them, but do not buy theirs. John L., the Landryesque one,
>inspected Harbor Freights recently, and  bought one from Sears that he
>says is well made. I trust Craftsman tools to be usually of very good
>quality. I have a New Britain that is quite beautifully made, most parts
>houses sell flaring tools made by K D and their tools are very well made,
>some parts houses sell other brands and you can visually inspect them to
>see if they look well made. In case you don't know it, a double flaring
>tool consists of a single flare tool and a bunch of little mandrels that
>you insert into the mouth of the tube at one stage in the flaring
>process. So you are buying a flaring tool and a little box of mandrels.
>John Hofstetter
>