Thanks for replying Ben. I have the tool you recommend and for the thick wall,
large diameter SS tubing, we still have to re-flare or use the copper seal
savers often to get leak tight connections. Maybe our tool is just worn out. We
made a tool that resembles a countersink but with a 37 degree angle and we
adhere adhesive backed 600 grit, aluminum oxide sand paper to it, to polish
flares that have small leaks. Don't seem to have this problem with aluminum
tubing or smaller diameters & thinner walls, so I am led to believe it is the
tool and not the operator.
Carl Tedesco
-----Original Message-----
From: arocket-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:arocket-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On ;
Behalf Of Ben Brockert
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2016 10:36 AM
To: arocket@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [AR] Re: 37 degree flaring tool
The Rigid 377 is the best hand flaring tool I've found:
http://amzn.to/2cqBkyx Though I typically put it in a vise for larger tubes, ;
not really a hand tool.
It has a roller bearing and only the roller bearing makes contact with the
flare, so it puts a lot more pressure per area than the cone type flaring tools.
If it's used a lot on thick stainless tube and you put a wrench on the hex to
drive the flare to full size, eventually the bearings will be destroyed. But
it's cheap enough to replace the tool.
The next step up is hydraulic flaring tools, and I've never seen a particularly
affordable one.
Don't use roller tubing cutters for tubes that are going to be flared, they
push the tube in the wrong direction and work harden the material.
Hacksaw/bandsaw/abrasive wheel only.
On Mon, Sep 12, 2016 at 1:19 PM, Carl Tedesco <ctedesco@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Can anyone recommend a tool for making 37 degree AN flares that is a
step up from the usually hand flaring tools? Are there hydraulic
versions? I’m not looking for an aircraft production tool that costs
a fortune, but I would like something that is more repeatable than the
hand tool is, especially when doing flares in ½” and ¾” stainless steel
tubing with 0.065”+ wall.
Carl Tedesco
