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Bending Stainless Steel Tubing - Bend Your Own Brake Lines



To complete the double-flaring operation, the pointed swivel end of the yoke is inserted into the tube and tightened again-this time without the flaring adapter in place. This step folds the metal in on itself.
To complete the double-flaring operation, the pointed swivel end of the yoke is inserted into the tube and tightened again-this time without the flaring adapter in place. This step folds the metal in on itself.		After reaming, the tube on the left is opened up to its full diameter, but there is still an irregular edge at the end of the tube that has to go.
After reaming, the tube on the left is opened up to its full diameter, but there is still an irregular edge at the end of the tube that has to go.		Freshly cut, notice the ridges of displaced tubing left inside the tubes. These must be removed.
Freshly cut, notice the ridges of displaced tubing left inside the tubes. These must be removed.
The resulting double flare is much stronger-and safer-than a single flare. Single-flare tube ends are made by eliminating the flaring adapter steps and using only the yoke to press the tube end into a Y-shape. Single-flare tube ends tend to crack and have no place on the street or strip.
The resulting double flare is much stronger-and safer-than a single flare. Single-flare tube ends are made by eliminating the flaring adapter steps and using only the yoke to press the tube end into a Y-shape. Single-flare tube ends tend to crack and have no place on the street or strip.		Position the yoke onto the flaring bar, trapping the flaring adapter, and start twisting the screw all the way until it stops. A drop of oil on all friction surfaces prolongs tool life.
Position the yoke onto the flaring bar, trapping the flaring adapter, and start twisting the screw all the way until it stops. A drop of oil on all friction surfaces prolongs tool life.		Careful use of a flat file eliminates the roughness and creates a chamfered edge around the tube opening. It doesn't take much effort, but don't go too far and file an angled surface onto the end of the tube. It needs to be flat.
Careful use of a flat file eliminates the roughness and creates a chamfered edge around the tube opening. It doesn't take much effort, but don't go too far and file an angled surface onto the end of the tube. It needs to be flat.
Benoit took his time while carefully marking the new 11/44-inch brake lines where they needed to be bent for best routing. Aesthetics and function are of equal concern.
Benoit took his time while carefully marking the new 11/44-inch brake lines where they needed to be bent for best routing. Aesthetics and function are of equal concern.		After one line is finished and successfully test-fitted, a second line can be made using it as a model. As with flaring operations, make sure the needed threaded fittings are in place on the ends of the tube before bending or it's all a waste of time.
After one line is finished and successfully test-fitted, a second line can be made using it as a model. As with flaring operations, make sure the needed threaded fittings are in place on the ends of the tube before bending or it's all a waste of time.		You did remember to put the threaded end on the tube before flaring it, didn't you?
You did remember to put the threaded end on the tube before flaring it, didn't you?
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Related Photos

Bend Your Own Brake Lines Steve Benoit Bend Your Own Brake Lines Tubing Cutter Bend Your Own Brake Lines Flaring Bar
Bend Your Own Brake Lines Tools Bend Your Own Brake Lines Reamer Bend Your Own Brake Lines Bell Shape
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