Today I took my brand new Brakequip BQ351 out of the box so I can make my own stainless brake lines. I got a few 20 foot rolls of 1/4" and 3/16" stainless line and lots of fittings. It's amazing the different sized fittings that are required. I got a really nice bender, straightener, and tweaking pliers along with a cutter so now I am ready to go. My first feat of amazement was to make a few stainless steel bench bleeding tubes for the new dual MC. One was 1/2" the other 9/16" fittings.
It looks like bending will be unfamiliar art/science that I will have to get used to. As far as the BQ351 flaring system, WOW!!! Since stainless is the hardest tubing to flare, this machine is going to be great! Not much effort and amazing, professional results. When I purchased the BQ351, I asked if I can just purchase the missing parts separately to make the unit a BQ350 (all the 45 degree and all the DIN sizes as well) and turns out the case you get has spots to just purchase the other parts and place them in the case. Very well thought out system. All of the tools together ran me a little less than $500.
I know that seems expensive, but when you try that crappy little flaring tool kit that we all have on stainless, you will put a few extra hours of overtime in and end the misery!
Another related issue was the braided stainless rubber hose I used for my 261 oil lines. Summit Racing was so helpful and helped me to understand how to cut the stuff. Put masking tape tightly around the area to be cut, then use your Makita grinder with a cutoff wheel, cut down the CENTER of the tape so both sides are protected, moving the grinder all the way around the radius to minimize the fraying, and you are good to go. AN fittings are so nice! You remove the center by unscrewing, then just twist the hose right into the fitting, then install the center. A VERY solid solution. Even though it is AN (as in Army/Navy), I am sure it was the genius of some Air Force lab that was really responsible.
