Working on automotive brake lines or fuel lines often requires creating reliable flares, especially when dealing with 3/16 tubing. An on-car flaring tool for 3 16 tubing becomes indispensable when you need to make repairs without removing the lines from the vehicle. This guide will walk you through the process of using a hand-operated flaring tool to create perfect flares every time, ensuring leak-free connections and safe vehicle operation.
Essential Tools and Preparation for Flaring 3/16 Tubing
Before you begin, gathering the right tools and preparing your tubing is crucial for a successful flare. The most important tool is, of course, an On Car Flaring Tool For 3 16 Tubing, specifically designed for the job. Alongside this, you’ll need:
- Tubing Cutter: This ensures a clean, square cut, which is paramount for a proper flare. Avoid using a hacksaw, as it can deform the tubing and leave burrs.
- Deburring Tool or File: After cutting, it’s essential to remove any burrs from both the inside and outside of the tubing. Burrs can prevent a tight seal and lead to leaks.
- Appropriate Size Dies and Adapters: Ensure your flaring tool kit includes the correct dies and adapters specifically for 3/16 tubing and the type of flare you intend to create (double or bubble).
Step-by-Step Guide to On-Car Flaring 3/16 Tubing
Follow these steps carefully to create a professional-grade flare using your on car flaring tool for 3 16 tubing:
Step 1: Precisely Cut the Tubing
The foundation of a good flare is a square and clean cut. Use your tubing cutter to make a precise cut at the desired location on the 3/16 tubing. Rotate the cutter around the tubing, tightening it slightly with each rotation until the tube is cleanly severed. A square cut is non-negotiable for achieving a proper seal.
Step 2: Deburr the Cut Edge
After cutting, use a deburring tool or a fine file to carefully remove any burrs from both the inside and outside edges of the tubing. This step is critical as burrs can interfere with the flaring process and compromise the integrity of the seal. Ensure the tube end is smooth and even.
Step 3: Secure the Tubing in the Flaring Tool
Open the clamp on your on car flaring tool for 3 16 tubing and place the 3/16 tubing into the correct sized opening. The tubing should protrude from the clamp, ready for flaring. Determining the correct protrusion length is vital.
Step 4: Gauge Tube Protrusion with the Flaring Die
Select the correct die for 3/16 tubing from your flaring tool kit. Place the die flat against the clamp, next to the tubing. Observe the die’s side profile – you’ll notice a band or step in its design. Adjust the tubing in the clamp so that it protrudes exactly as far as the depth of this band on the die. This ensures the correct amount of tubing is available to form the flare. Once aligned, securely tighten the clamp. A firm grip is essential to prevent slippage during the flaring process.
Step 5: Creating the Initial Flare Form
Position the die directly over the end of the tubing, ensuring it’s centered. Using the pressing component of your on car flaring tool for 3 16 tubing, apply pressure to press the die into the tubing. Tighten the tool until the die is firmly seated against the clamp. This stage pre-forms the tubing for the final flare.
Step 6: Completing the Double Flare
Loosen the pressure and remove the die from the tool. Now, the pressing component of your flaring tool should have a pointed end. Position this pointed end directly over the pre-flared tubing, where the die was previously located. Re-apply pressure, ensuring the tool remains at a 90-degree angle to the clamp. Tighten the tool until the metal is firmly flattened and you observe a mini funnel shape forming at the tube end. This completes the double flare.
Creating a Bubble Flare
If you need a bubble flare instead of a double flare, the process is simpler. Just stop after Step 5: Creating the Initial Flare Form. Omitting Step 6 will leave you with a bubble flare, which is suitable for certain types of fittings.
Final Checks and Best Practices
After flaring, carefully inspect your work. The flare should be symmetrical, smooth, and free from cracks or splits. Re-emphasizing a few critical points:
- Square Cuts are Key: Never underestimate the importance of a perfectly square cut made with a tubing cutter.
- Correct Tube Protrusion: Using the die as a gauge for tube protrusion is a foolproof method for consistent flares.
- Cleanliness: Ensure the tubing and tools are clean and free from debris.
With practice and attention to detail, using an on car flaring tool for 3 16 tubing will become a straightforward task, enabling you to perform professional-quality repairs on your vehicle’s fluid lines.
