Making bubble flares

gtixpress · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 6:56 pm Post subject: Making bubble flares

I purchased a bubble flaring kit to make new lines for my Squareback. It's a Neiko brand kit. One issue I have is that the kit marks up the brake line pretty good when it's tightened down. Another is that I'm having issues getting it to make a decent flare. They tend to be off center, or just uneven and look like crap. Is there a secret to doing this short of buying a several hundred dollar flaring tool that I will only use once? The brake tubing that I'm using is 3/16th Copper Nickel tubing.

Kit:
http://a.co/cNITQqP

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_________________
Joe P.
1969 VW Type 3 Squareback
2002 VW GTI 337 (Limited Edition)
2018 VW Atlas SE VR6 4Motion
2019 VW Beetle S Final Edition Convertible

VW_Jimbo · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 9:02 pm Post subject: Re: Making bubble flares

Good tools are always worth it. I have an old Snap-On, maybe Blue Point, set for flaring ends. Purchased it new 25 years. Works every time. It does not leave marks on the tubing.

What brand is the flaring tool? Where did you get it from? Maybe you got a bummed one and need a good one.
_________________
Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

Dale M. · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2018 7:00 am Post subject: Re: Making bubble flares

As long a marked area does not interfere with flare nut I don't see issue....

Probably could have bought a factory (OEM style replacement) brake line kit for cost of flaring tool.... Lot less frustration also...

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC-113-698-996-A

Just saying...

Dale
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All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

Lo Cash John · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2018 7:48 am Post subject: Re: Making bubble flares

The seal happens on the head of the bubble. Below that basically does not matter. My bubble flare kit will leave marks on the tubing but not so severe. Once the flare is complete, I just clean the marks off the tubing with a very fine file.
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slalombuggy · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2018 9:31 am Post subject: Re: Making bubble flares

Make sure the cut on the end of the tube is square. Use a tubing cutter. Dress the cut so that the end of the tube is smooth and there is no burr from cutting it. Using the die as a guide only have as much tube sticking out of the clamp as it says in the instructions, too much and it will crush and go off center.

brad

gtixpress · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2018 10:33 am Post subject: Re: Making bubble flares

This is the flaring tool:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00170V64G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_iNO3AbE0XCWBH

Pretty standard unit and had decent reviews. Also saw it mentioned in other sites that it worked. You really have to crank down on the tubing holder otherwise when trying to flare it, it just pushes it through holder. Which causes the scoring on the outside. I use a tubing cutter, filed down the end, and also used a reamer to clean up the inside edge. I guess I'll just practice some more with it. I figured I would ask just in case there was a trick which makes the results better. I know this isn't exactly complicated.
_________________
Joe P.
1969 VW Type 3 Squareback
2002 VW GTI 337 (Limited Edition)
2018 VW Atlas SE VR6 4Motion
2019 VW Beetle S Final Edition Convertible

JudoJeff · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2018 1:41 pm Post subject: Re: Making bubble flares

Try a little oil on it before trying to flare it.
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1989 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Burned up on 7/31/16.
1987 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig & Rebuilt, sold
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig Sold May 10, 2021
1999 Ford GTRV Westfalia camper (30% bigger Westy layout)

theKbStockpiler · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2018 3:33 pm Post subject: Re: Making bubble flares

OTC ones work fine.However, I don't think you are clamping the block on right. The block should only be tightened down once and not slide while you are forming the bubble. Some of the blocks are machined out too big and slip.OTC ones are machined a little too small and do put slight indentations in the tube.
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My beetle is not competing with your beetle. I have the yellow beetle in my town. There is a red one, a green one ......
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Derek Cobb · Annoying Joined: March 11, 2004 Posts: 2565

Bubble flare is such a PITA!! You have my sympathy

Lo Cash John · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2018 4:49 pm Post subject: Re: Making bubble flares

My kit is OTC brand and even it leaves some marks on the tubing. As mentioned, these marks are easily removed with a small, fine file.
_________________
www.LoCashRacing.org
More brains than bucks...Believe it or not!!

If you actually drive your VW, you need www.AirMapp.com

My boss told me I need to work on my mutli-tasking. So now when I use the bathroom at work I surf The Samba on my iPhone.

chrisflstf · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2018 5:09 pm Post subject: Re: Making bubble flares

Ive bought 2 of those over the years, One model, I could not make an acceptable flare, the second tool, I made 2 out of 5 ok. Helps to plan to remake lines/fittings until they come out right. All had marks also.

Anybody know what are some top quality tools to make these? I'd pay a few hundred for a good tool

theKbStockpiler · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2018 5:39 pm Post subject: Re: Making bubble flares

OTC is not what they were in the 80's but I have had good performance from kits on this page.

https://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/flaring-tools?ibanner=SREPD1
_________________
My beetle is not competing with your beetle. I have the yellow beetle in my town. There is a red one, a green one ......
Use all safety devices including a mask. Smile

jason · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2018 8:04 pm Post subject: Re: Making bubble flares

I have the Eastwood one. Makes perfect flares without marring. They also have the AN flare die for it. Any VW people in the Southbay are welcome to use it.

gtixpress · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2018 5:39 pm Post subject: Re: Making bubble flares

Did a little more practice this evening. Kind of getting the hang of it. Although it seems like the base of the flare is a little uneven, hopefully that doesn't affect the seal at all.

_________________
Joe P.
1969 VW Type 3 Squareback
2002 VW GTI 337 (Limited Edition)
2018 VW Atlas SE VR6 4Motion
2019 VW Beetle S Final Edition Convertible

jason · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2018 5:46 pm Post subject: Re: Making bubble flares

They crush, will be fine.

chrisflstf · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2018 6:37 pm Post subject: Re: Making bubble flares

Those look ideal. What did you change in your process?

VW_Jimbo · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2018 7:01 pm Post subject: Re: Making bubble flares

Those look good. As long as they fully engage the receptacle, you are in business.
_________________
Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

gtixpress · Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2018 10:42 am Post subject: Re: Making bubble flares


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