How To Use A Flaring Tool – Full Guide

In the field of automobiles, if we look at a vehicle we can see different systems are working together for its smooth operation. These are fuel systems, oil systems, hydraulic systems, braking systems, etc. Different types of metal pipes and hoses are fitted in these systems. Fluid flows through these pipelines to operate the system. These pipes are normally made of copper, steel, or stainless steel.

The end of the pipes is made flare to accommodate the other end of the connection. So it makes the connection tight and prevents leaks. Due to continuous operation or any other reason, the end of the pipe or tubing may crack or deform and fluid start leaking. To service, these systems specific tools are required to make a flare at the end of the pipe. These are known as flaring tools. These tools expand the end of the pipe and give a flare shape to make the connection tight. So that fluid does not leak.

Mostly flaring tools are working with conventional technology and do not bear so much technical importance to use. So everybody can use these tools. The grade or class of tools depends on the capacity and quality of forming a tight-fitting connection of the pipelines.

How Does a Flaring Tool Work?

The main function of a flaring tool is to expand the end of a pipeline and give a specific shape that we call a flare. In other ways, making the best possible fittings of tubing ends to adopt the other point is the main function of the flaring tool.

The flare portion of the pipe acts as a female portion and the other end where the flare connects is known as the male portion. It is also called an adopter. As the flaring tools flare at the end of the tubing to accommodate the adopter or opposite side, so we can say it is an adopting tool. It is simple to work; less effort is required and completes the job with a minimum span of time.

Components of A Flaring Tool

Flaring tools are very simple in construction. Earlier we have seen that there are different types of tools. But each of them is made up of three main components. There is a screw with a handle that can reciprocate into the opening end of the tube to expand it, a metal bar having a number of holes in different sizes to accommodate the particular size of tube and pipe, and lastly a rotating handle with a bar. There may be some other components with the tool kit to complete the job perfectly. Such as flare adaptor/dies, cutting tools, etc.

Range of Work

Flaring tools are mainly used for making single flare, double flare, bubble flare, and others in different sizes of tubing and pipe. It can make 45-degree angle flare as well as 37-degree angle flare. It is simple to use and took a short time to make a flare.

A good quality flare depends on the quality of flaring tools. A safe, secured and precious quality flare is very important in the systems. The quality of the tightened and leak-proof connection indicates the quality of flare.

Types of Flaring Tool

There are various types of flaring tools used in the automobile field. Some of those are, bar type flaring tool, hydraulic flaring tool, block-type, screw type, single flare tool, double flare tool, bubble flare tool, 45-degree angle flare, and 37-degree angle flaring tool, etc. Also, it may have separate tools for separate types of flare or a complete set of tools for multiple types of flare. According to their function, assembly, and working facilities, they are in different names, but the main objects of all the tools are the same.

From the above-mentioned tools, descriptions of the most commonly used two different tools are given below.

Bar Type Flaring Tool

It is the most popular flaring tool. It is designed for flaring tubing in tight places. This is simple in design and easy to use. There are a number of holes made on these dies to accommodate tubing sizes of 3/16 to 5/8 inches.

This tool is made of hardened alloy steel. It is split-up into two parts and designed to grip the tubing. Two butterfly nuts are fitted on both sides of the bar. These are used to join both the part of the bar as well as to provide pressure for gripping the tubing. Place the tube in the hole according to the correct size of the tube. Extend the end of the tube from the surface of the hole as per the height required for flaring. Or it is better to follow the manufacturer guideline.

Now tightened the bar to grip on the tubing. It is important to first completely tighten the butterfly nut which is closer to the tubing. Tightened it manually as much as you can. Then tightened the other nut and the bar have sufficient grip on the tubing. Now place the handle yoke to sleep over the bar and lock with a turn. Rotate the handle clockwise and move the cone into the opening of the tubing.

Gradually expand the opening of the copper tube to the beveled mating surface of the flaring bar. Back the cone and repeat this process for more than one or two times. So doing this will help the copper to sit nicely on the beveled edge of the bar as well as burnish the copper for a better seal. Now unscrew the handle, open both the parts of the bar, remove the tube. Check the quality of the flare. For continuous and perfect operation, clean the tools and lubricate slightly.

Hydraulic Flaring Tool

Hydraulic Flaring Tool It is a complete set of flaring tools. In this kit there are a number of dies of different sizes, tools, cone, deburring tool, push connector, tubing cutter, screw handle, etc. Now we shall describe how to make a double flare on a 3/16 of inch tubing.

At first, we need to cut the end of the pipeline to make it flash and square. Place the pipe in the tubing cutter. Turn the thumbscrew up and down, set the rollers against the pipe, and the cutting wheel at middle and opposite to the roller. Turn the thumbscrew until the cutter touches the pipe. Spin the cutting tool over the pipe. Slightly turn the screw, tighten it a little bit, and spin the cutting tool over the pipe and keep going.

The cutter will slowly cut the pipe and. If we put much pressure on the pipe then it may crack or deform. A clean end, smooth cutting edge, and perfectly round pipe are essential to make a good flare. So we must take care while cutting a pipeline. Now take the deburring tool, deburr the end of the pipe for a little bit. It is now ready for making a double flare.

In a two-step, we shall make this double flare. In the first step, we need 3/16 split dies, double dies, pipeline, and the handle. Place the dies in the tool. Push the dies downward to properly place against the bottom at the back of the tool. Otherwise, the splitter will not be centered and will not be square.

Slide the pipe in the dies. Flash the pipe end with the edge of the dies. Turn the screw clockwise and tighten it. Now unscrew the handle out, place the pieces of the die in the handle and screw the handle in. The Center of the pieces of the die move inside the line. Now tightened the thumbscrew. Pump the handle until it feels hard. Loosen the thumbscrew by half turn. Unscrew the handle, take out the dies.

Now we have a bubble on the end of the line and completed the first step. In the second step, put the cone in the handle. If required, unscrew the handle more. Screw the handle until the cone moves into the end of the pipeline. Tighten the thumbscrew, pump the handle. When you feel hard to stop it and loosen the thumbscrew. Turn the handle out, take out the cone. Loosen other handle screws and open the pipeline. Now a good double flare is found at the end of the pipeline.

Attention

Flaring tools are suitable for working on soft or pliable metal only. Copper tubes are commonly used for this purpose. Besides this flaring tool also works on soft alloy steel and stainless steel. If you work on hard metal then crack may take place or it may be broken. So you must consider the condition of metal used for flaring. Because the flaring tool can’t give appropriate shape on hard metal.

Normally the fuel pipelines or oil pipeline are not subjected to high pressure. So they use single flare tools. On the other hand, these are easy to carry, faster in use, and cheaper. But the brake pipeline uses a double flare tool for more safety. Pressurized fluid flows through the brake pipeline and produces high pressure on the connection. Here single flare may not be sufficient to stop leaking of fluid. So it is more suitable to use double flare because it can withstand much greater pressure and prevent leaking.

Final Thought

Considering above all I understand that it is a very useful tool, simple to use, easy maintenance, the job-making cost is a less attractive design and free of hazards. It is just like an integral part of the vehicle. So un-doughty I suggest all the users have a flaring tool kit with their vehicle and make their journey comfortable.