Ah, dang. I only got to that tool after going through seemingly every
other tool on the market, and that one was the best. I got leaktight
seals with it in stainless, but it may be because it was newer. The
seals aren't allowed by milspec rules, but I've had to use them
sometimes as well. Though they're a bad idea in peroxide service;
copper isn't compatible with peroxide and aluminum on stainless
contact will cause corrosion of the aluminum.
You can also try annealing the end of the stainless tube before
flaring it, the flaring should work harden it back to full strength.
I've found annealing to be mandatory when flaring 1/8" stainless tube
because the flare is so large compared to the tube that otherwise it
would crack.
Also deburring the inside before flaring helps to not scratch the tool
and keep the flared faces cleaner. I bought a tungsten carbide
inside/outside deburring tool for that, I think it was McMaster
2737A11.
Also has to be seamless tube to seal correctly, but I'm sure you knew
that. Interesting idea on the flare buffing tool.
On Mon, Sep 12, 2016 at 2:33 PM, Carl Tedesco <ctedesco@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
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
