After wrestling with brake line flaring, I took a step back to reassess my approach using the Eastwood car flaring tool on 3/16 tubing. Initially, frustration mounted as flares weren’t turning out as expected. I questioned the tubing size and the flaring die itself, meticulously checking both the NAPA and Ni-Cop brake lines, measuring their outer diameters at 0.19″ and 0.1875″ respectively, and confirming the die was correctly sized and positioned within the tool.
The breakthrough came when I scrutinized my tubing cutter. Using a small pipe cutter, I noticed it was nicking the polymer sheathing as I rotated it. At first, this seemed minor, but it turned out to be a critical error. This damage was removing the sheathing, effectively undersizing the tubing and hindering proper flaring. The solution was to switch to a proper tubing cutter, designed for a clean, mar-free cut. This immediately made a difference.
With the correct cut and the Eastwood flaring tool, achieving a proper flare became possible. It required realizing that sufficient pressure is key. I had to push the tool handle firmly until it reached its stop. This adjustment in technique, combined with the right tools, finally yielded a successful flare, similar to the example shown.
The key takeaway from this experience is the importance of using the right tool for the job, especially when working with brake lines and precision flaring. Furthermore, when facing challenges in the garage, especially after a long day, taking a break to regroup and re-evaluate can be incredibly beneficial. Sometimes, a fresh perspective after a night’s rest is all that’s needed to identify and correct the issue. Now, with renewed confidence and proper technique, I’m ready to tackle bending and flaring the remaining brake lines.
