Mastercool or Fed-Hill. I've never used the Fed-Hill, but several on here swear by them. I have the Mastercool hydraulic flare tool (Blue Point rebrand), it beats anything you'll find at the flaps. Here's the hydraulic flare tool in action.
I've tried most of them.... even owned a fed hill one for a while. The best one I currently know of is made by Brakequip, I have the larger set and really do like it. It's not cheap but is a super tool and a very good value. A few steps ahead of the fed hill one I had, and for less money to boot.
Brakequip makes a smaller set that would suit most needs, if several of you want one (big or small) I have an account with them and get a discount if I order a few at a time, send me a PM.
Have had my FedHill for a few years now and give it an A+ 100% success rating on all size tubes and all materials including SS. Never had a bad flare with it.
Ridged, Imperial-Eastman, Snap-On, Bluepoint, KD all were a wast of money, many failures with hundreds of test samples, in fact most of the double flairs that I've made with them resulted in off center unusable parts.
I too was pleased with the FedHill flaring tool I had for a few years. Then I saw BrakeQuip had a new one out that they actually make/have made. (They previously sold a relabeled Sykes-Pickavant kit extremely similar to the FedHill kit) I ordered a couple, one for me, one for a friend, and sold the Fedhill kit I did have.
Both of us really like the BrakeQuip tool, and while the FedHill one was great, the BrakeQuip kit is an improvement over it, no complaints at all; a great value for an even better tool.
Have had my FedHill for a few years now and give it an A+ 100% success rating on all size tubes and all materials including SS. Never had a bad flare with it.
I concur 100%. A bit expensive, but there are always two things you never screw around with. Brakes and steering. Denny's stalwart convictions led me to purchase one and I think it was money well spent, espescially if your going to do several vehicles running fuel, brake and other miscelanous lines.
Grigg, how much does that BrakeQuip unit cost if you don't mind me asking?
Grigg, how much does that BrakeQuip unit cost if you don't mind me asking?
Thanks, Jeff
The basic version which does 45* from 3/16 up to 3/8 I think is about $200-$225. The bigger kit that handles 37* as well is about $350 or so. That's if I order a few of them at once, but just to order one is somewhat more expensive. That's from memory so please don't quote me on those prices, I can call and get an exact price if interested.
All in all, it runs about the same price as the FedHill unit. And looking thru the literature, it looks to be exactly the same principul and design as the FedHill tool but it's set up for speed-dial. DG
Correct, same principal. I find the BrakeQuip is faster and easier to use. The hinged clamp and shorter gripping blocks are improvements/ advantages, and the turret style punch is nice. Again, there was not much room for improvement on the FedHill version, it is a fine tool. None the less I believe the BrakeQuip kit is an improvement.
As for price, to get a FedHill set equivalent to the small BrakeQuip model BQ351 you first purchase the $360 007C kit (out of stock at the moment) and add two more sizes for another $80, Total of $440 for FedHill. The equivalent BQ351 list price is about $240, and can be had for less. The BrakeQuip kit saves you over $200!
Inflation I guess Grigg, I don't remember paying that much for mine, but that was back before anyone heard of the FedHill tool. I had about a month of back and forth discussions and sending tube samples to the engineers at Imperial-Eastman and sent a two of their top of the line flaring tools back to them for evaluation. In the end I settled on the FedHill tool, which was the only unit of its kind being made. Since them there have been a bunch of knockoffs all using the same principals, Eastwood sells one now that is a copy. I'm sure they could have made improvements to their original design. I haven’t seen the need to look at their products for some years now so they may have made some changes to them to keep up.
I tried many and threw away 3 and returned one to supplier. I am sold on the hydraulic one. It was not cheap but it was worth the $200. I used it on the brake line to make the double flare and 3/8 fuel line flares. It works so good and almost fool proof. I am saying that it was the best tool investment that I made on the truck so far. Ed
I got it last summer. I found it on line after a friend told me about it. It is only the one with brake flare and flare for fuel line. I did not get all of accessorys for it. It serves my needs. I think it was a company in Colorado if memory serves me right. Will try to check when I get time and let you know later.
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!
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!
I'll second that, and it's not just you. I've got, well I had, 3 sets of those kind, 2 OTC brand, and a reasonably nice/expensive Imperial. Just gave away one of the OTC sets, never took the shrink wrap off the second, and as much as I don't like the Imperial I paid to much for it to just give it away...
Quite pleased with the BrakeQuip set I now use, a perfect flare every time so far, a pleasure to use.
The BrakeQuip one looks like what I'm looking for too. I want one for both the truck and for doing AN fittings as well. This looks it has that handled. Eastwood has one that looks similiar but only does the 45 degree. Where do you buy this? Direct from Fed Hill?
"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.
The BrakeQuip one looks like what I'm looking for too. I want one for both the truck and for doing AN fittings as well.... Where do you buy this? Direct from Fed Hill?
Nope, Fedhill has their own version and is somewhat more expensive, also no option for 37 degree AN stuff.
To get a BrakeQuip flare tool kit BQ350 or BQ351 as seen here you usually need to go through a dealer. Here's a video
I'm not exactly a dealer but I do have an account with them and have ordered a few already. If y'all want to put together an order I'll see what kind of price I can get, might be helpful. Last time the savings over list price was significant so well worth ordering a few at once. If anyone is serious enough about it send me a PM with what kit you want, If we can get a few folks on the list it will probably be worthwhile to do a group buy.
I have one of those KD sets, too. It's ok, with pactice, you can make good flares with it. It's ok if you're doing wokr on your own stuff. Not really very good for a professional, though. The hydraulic version, like the one I have, is more precise, faster, and will do more than 1 type of flare. It's certainly not an "expesnive gadget". Once I got one, the only time I used the KD was to make a flare demonstration video, otherwise, I only use the hydraulic tool.
One advantage to the hydraulic tool is it's portable so you can flare a line while still on the vehicle if necessary. A advantage to the BrakeQuip (and fedhill) kits is they are essentially bench mounted, in a vice, you take the line to them.
All I got to say on this subject is, after all the discussion, pictures, descriptions, testimonies, etc, about the FedHill and BrakeQuip flaring tools (same basic tools just carved out in a slightly different shape) I can't see way anyone would want to add any other tool to their shop. Pop the tube in the clamp, a quick pull on the handle and you have a perfect flare every time in just a few seconds. Denny Graham Sandwich, IL
Sounds good Denny..I'm sure they are great..it looks like the hydraulic Mastercool will work well on lines when you are under the vehicle, where most flaring tools are a PITA, especially 1/4" lines running to the rear on newer GM trucks. My Rigid failed miserably there.
My first two test flares were perfect, and super easy to use.
I think if your serious about restoration you should have several different styles. The two I mentioned obvously have to be clamped in a vice but they are absolutely the most repeatable I've ever seen. Never had a failed flare with it. As you brought up, on the vehicle your Mastercool works good, but it looks a little cumbersome for making up lines on the bench. Denny Graham Sandwich, IL
"I can't see way anyone would want to add any other tool to their shop".
Denny, I can't speak for others but here's why I like the ultra inexpensive, palm of the hand, old school double flaring.
I like doing stuff that requires me to learn a new skill. It's like learning actual metal straightening rather than slathering on bondo. Once mastered (which takes very little practice) the simple tool does a perfect job, takes up almost no storage space, and costs next to nothing.
Obviously, there are no bragging rights conferred from a tool obtained for $10 on ebay.
Ray, I partly understand your desire to do a lot with next to nothing. I often find myself in the same situation and just do what you need to to get the job done well.
What I'm not so clear on is are you discouraging the use of good tools just to make the job harder on yourself, just for the "challenge" it presents? I don't agree with that. I like to know what all my choices are and choose the one that suits my needs, cheap or expensive I'll make that call when I need to. I won't set out to buy the cheapest tool just to see if I can make it work, likewise I won't set out to buy the most expensive tool just to say I did. I choose the best value for my needs and future needs if I can predict them.
You can learn a new skill with any tool, sometimes no tool at all. Using difficult or cheap stuff doesn't make someone any more or less of a craftsman than someone who can master the same task with good quality tools. A skilled craftsman will shine through no matter the tools at hand.
As the old man used to say, its a poor skipper that blames the boat LOL
I'm as cheap as the next guy, cheaper than most, but I like value as well. Good tools are expensive, but give good value - like a decent set of body hammers or a good MIG.
Especially after it's chucked in File 13 after you use a Professional Grade flaring tool! BTW, the Mastercool will do single 45 degree,ISO Bubble flares, feul line push connect (Ford and GM), transmission push connect, and 37 degree, all with 1 tool. The Fed-Hil also does the same. That K-D only does 2 types of flares, 45 degree singe and 45 degree double. You have to buy another tool to Bubble flares and 37 degree, and I don't think they even make one to do push connects. From the standpoint of an auto service professional, flexability and repeatabilty are very imprtant, as well as speed and precision. Home use tools just don't give you that.
I've used traditional flaring tools for 25 years now and made tons of flares, and while entertaining, I have no desire to go back there.
Generally I've always found the cheapo ones to be a PITA and have always tried to get something better but options are limited up here. I thought RIGID would be the answer (it was well over $100) but it crapped out after several flares (and never did 1/4 well) and the RIGID was not helpful in backing up their tool.
"From the standpoint of an auto service professional, flexability and repeatabilty are very important, as well as speed and precision. Home use tools just don't give you that."
Im a geologist, not an auto service professional. So for my purpose a small, inexpensive tool that does a perfect job for me is the best choice.
...To get a BrakeQuip flare tool kit BQ350 or BQ351 as seen here you usually need to go through a dealer. Here's a video
I'm not exactly a dealer but I do have an account with them and have ordered a few already. If y'all want to put together an order I'll see what kind of price I can get, might be helpful. Last time the savings over list price was significant so well worth ordering a few at once. If anyone is serious enough about it send me a PM with what kit you want, If we can get a few folks on the list it will probably be worthwhile to do a group buy.
Grigg
So far have a couple interested in my offer. I checked prices today and let's just say that in comparison to this one online, the big kit; We can do even better with a group order. They also have a smaller kit that does not do 37* if you don't need that feature and want an even cheaper kit. Send me a PM if you're also interested.
