The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline cutting brake lines?

Hello, trying to cut some new brake lines cleanly but dont know what tool to use. Tried to use a cut off wheel but seems to ruin the end of the tube, not leaving a clean cut, any ideas? Thanks

Sounds like you need to get yourself a small tubing cutter. Also a double flare kit if you already doen't have one. Some kits even come with the cutter. Autozone, Napa, Advance Auto Parts all have these. Real easy to use and you get a nicw straight cut. The double flare it is also easy to use. I've been using them since I was around 10 years old. Great stuff. Good luck and I hope this is the answer to your question.

Check this out.
Yes, that's what I really look like!

A small tubing cuter works well, so does a hacksaw with a fine blade.
Pretty much whatever you use can be straightened up with a file and a deburing tool.
I feel that a line cut with a hacksaw and squared with a file works better than one cut with a tubing cutter. However deburing after either, especially the tubing cutter, helps a lot.

Grigg

I prefer a tubing cutter. It leaves a nice straight clean edge and you don't get metal filings in the tube. I don't use anything else.

Use an abrasive wheel on a Dremel tool to make the cut, then clamp the tube into a flaring tool backwards to its normal direction and use the back side of the flare block as a guide to square up the cut with a file. Be aware you'll have to double-flare any steel line you fabricate, brake or fuel lines. Trying to single-flare steel tubing results in a leaky joint and/or a cracked flare.
Jerry

If its still on the vehicle, you probably have to do what you have to do if you don't have room to swing a cutter.

I would use a good tubing cutter for the cuts, even if you have to remove the line or loosen clamps to get room to use the cutter. As for double flares, practice with some scrap tubing before you go for the real one that you will rely on for your brakes. Its been my experience that the first few double flares you make are not very good, and if you have to cut off the tube for another try, you have to cut off a quarter inch, or a little more, because the deformed end (flare) tends to work-harden the tube for a short distance away from the flare. Practice before you do double flares for service.

Harvester

I forgot to mention that tubing cutters usually have an attached cutter for reaming the inside of the tube after you make the cut. You should clean up the burr before you try flaring the tube.

Harvester

When practising make sure you know the practice material is the same as your final material. I've pulled some pretty funky stuff from under old cars and trucks that wasn't really brake line.

I enjoyed your video and think it will help some get started making brake lines. Good Job! No comments on your look.

I've never seen a good one, and have tried many of the little fold out deburring tools.
Instead I use something like this http://www.noga.com/nogaProducts.php?catID=coun

Grigg

www.swagelok.com has a nice deburring tool as well, it cleans the inside and outside.
just type MS-TDT-24 in the search box on the website. they have a nice cutter too.

I've been wondering about the swagelocdk ones, they look nice. But having not held or tried one, nor talked to anyone who has, I've been hesitant to pay the asking price.
Are they worth the money, do they do as good or better job than a regular deburing tool and a fine file?

I really do like their tube benders, none better that I can find. Look on ebay and craigslist for better prices, but if I needed one right away they are a fair deal for a great quality tool even new.

Grigg

good video longbox55

I agree that they are the most expensive. What I like about them is that the tubing rides on ball bearings rather than on a roller and screw. that way the load of the cut is square on the tubing surface, and it lessens the chance of crimping the tubing if you accidentally overtighen the cutter. Most cutters also have cutting wheels for copper, the swagelok wheel is geared for SS, steel, and softer metals. Swagelok cutters are $36. they come with a spare cutting wheel in the handle(so do most decent tube cutters)

the deburring tool is $24 and I like that it is easy to hold. You still need a good flat file on harder tubing to square the end, especially if you cut with a hacksaw or something otherthan a tube cutter. Some tube cutters come with a "deburring tool" on them(the pointed metal piece) most of those are only good for copper because it takes so much force to push and turn to debur, and they are not sharp. the swagelok tool will cut you if you try to debur your finger.

They are what are in my tool box, along with their 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8" benders, their ratcheting wrenches as well. I also like that they are American made.(Cleveland Ohio)

Thanks, that's good to hear, and prices on the cutter and deburing tool are not what I thought they were, or I'm looking in the wrong place.
Where do you buy your swagelok tools?

I also remember seeing a guide for a hacksaw to cut tubing square, that looks handy too.

Grigg

on www.swagelok.com you can buy them, or you can also look up your local swagelok office. I go through the one here in Kansas City. I have used the saw guide. It is nice. They are proud of it though. I think it is around $98, but it works perfect for sqaure cuts on larger tubing.