"Yar, your just a better mechanic than me!! I've got an almost new one...different name but the same as you posted and I hate it. Its just not "dependable" to me for each flare I do. I've practiced a lot, learned a trick or two but its still a PITA.
...or its just me!"
Achip, I'm a total amateur greasemonkey and my first few double flares were rough, egg shaped leakers. Doing the following cleaned things up:
1. Make sure the cut end is perfectly square.
2. Debur the inside and outside of the cut end with a very slight chamfer using the deburring tool on the tube cutter on the inside and a sharp file on the outside.
3. Extend the end to be flared the exact distance above the clamp specified in the tool instructions.
4. Put a drop of oil on the stem and forming die of the double flare insert and on the flaring cone.
To me, part of the fun of our hobby is getting the job done WITHOUT fancy, expensive gadgets. Another example is FREEHAND resharpening of drill bits. My high school machine shop teacher showed me how to do that with no more than a bench grinder and a very simple stamped steel gauge to verify correct flute angles and equal lengths. My vision has faded so I can't see well enough to sharpen drills below about 1/8" any more.
Other guys like having the fancy gadgets. It's a matter of personal preference.
