What brake pipe flaring tool ?

[retromadness123]

Hello guys need to put some new fittings on my 3/16 brake pipes for my mk1 golf, and was wondering what will be the best flaring tool to go for, I seen some on ebay and they come in different shapes and sizes, so unsure what one will be best ones, it be nice to have a go to tool in the future so one that accommodates other pipes will be great but hopefully not blowing the budget as it won't be in everyday use like a garage will need, all help and links to the products will be greatly apprictated.

[Ritchie]

This type is quite expensive but it should last a lifetime.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184352032687

I find the threaded die type always wear out.

[vitesseefi]

My current favourite for 3/16" brake pipes is one like this

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brake-Pipe-Flaring-Tool-3-16-SAE-Professional-Hand-held-in-situ-PH-BFT-316/181063197795?hash=item2a28352463:g:kGwAAOxy38tTlh0v

Reasonably priced and produces a decent shaped flare reliably. It's also compact enough to be used in situ on the car which has saved my bacon a couple of times.

Yes, it will wear out eventually but unless you are a prop making many many flares this is unlikely to be a problem in reality.

Nick

[pptom]

Same as Nick. Only done one and a half full cars with it so far, but very happy with it.
As said, can be used in situ or in a vice so very handy

[welshpug]

Look out for the Sykes Pickavant ones, they are like the ones Nick posted, but have been around for decades, can be picked up for reasonable amounts, just beware that they don't always come with every die and clamp as you could choose to only have the bare minimum, or a Full master kit, in the same box.

[retromadness123]

Thanks guys, I saw the with ones on eBay and they do seem good for someone like me that won't be doing lots of brake pipe work but when needed it's there, so with the situ ones can you buy extra dies to accommodate different sizes of pipes

[mk2cossie]

I have a Blue Point branded flaring tool, which is the same as the one in the first link.

Mounts nicely in the vise, and can be used under the car to flare steel pipes too! (Although an assistant is best doing this)

Also have dies for doing 8mm and 10mm pipe too, just need to get some 6mm bits to complete my set.
I have since discovered it is the same as the Sickes Pickavant tool, so the bits are easy enough to replace when they do eventually wear out

[retromadness123]

Aug 31, 2020 19:15:56 GMT vitesseefi said:

My current favourite for 3/16" brake pipes is one like this

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brake-Pipe-Flaring-Tool-3-16-SAE-Professional-Hand-held-in-situ-PH-BFT-316/181063197795?hash=item2a28352463:g:kGwAAOxy38tTlh0v

Reasonably priced and produces a decent shaped flare reliably. It's also compact enough to be used in situ on the car which has saved my bacon a couple of times.

Yes, it will wear out eventually but unless you are a prop making many many flares this is unlikely to be a problem in reality.

Nick

Would this tool also do a bubble flare , or does it just do a double flare ?

[vitesseefi]

Does both. The “bubble” is the single flare used with the male fitting and is done in one operation.

The double flare as used with the female fitting is formed in a second operation (the threaded former is fitted the other way) after first forming the bubble.

Nick

[crockpot]

I have one the same as Nick. Very happy with it.

[outrage]

Sykes-Pickavant FTW. Does steel tubes with no problem.
If you consider a cheap tool, you should read the fine print first. Some are specified for copper tubes only...

[llwynogmon]

I used to have a Sykes hand held tool purchased a very long time ago it was excellent until it got lent out and not returned, I have since tried the cheap Machine Mart versions with limited success and a fairly expensive one from a well known seller of preformed copper brake pipe kits, again with limited success,. My advice is to bite the bullet and buy a tool from a quality maker such as Sykes Pickavant. You will only regret purchasing a cheaper tool that does not perform very well.

[silver63]

As mentioned the Sykes is a good reliable tool.Had ours years

[shin2chin]

I've had the cheapest one from ebay for a number of years, think it was silver line. I've did all if the lines on my old Scirocco with it and a few bits on my E30. It does the job, that is all.

[ChasR]

Sept 4, 2020 16:59:27 GMT shin2chin said:

I've had the cheapest one from ebay for a number of years, think it was silver line. I've did all if the lines on my old Scirocco with it and a few bits on my E30. It does the job, that is all.

From a hose guy I know very well, he's said most older SP bits will been worn now anyway, so there is not much difference between those and a £30 Chinese one. He however does use £100+ flaring tools as it is his living.