I have the Eastwood viced brake flaring tool (Part # 25304) because I wanted something that would more easily flare stainless steel and steel line (NiCopp wasn't quite well known yet and hard to find in my area). It did wonders. But when I started switching to NiCopp, I had the same trouble you did, sometimes I'd get perfect flares and sometimes I'd get the goofy little crush behind the flare. I thought maybe I had the die too loose or too tight. Thought I was using to much force on the handle with it being softer. Never once did I think that maybe it was out too far, even with OP0 setting the depth. I went out to my garage to test your theory since I am redoing the brake lines on my truck again. Pushing it back a smidge further eliminated that issue. Now I just gotta find the right balance of force on the handle again.
I was thinking that the issue may be more related to the NiCopp, but haven’t tried the steel lines. However the die seems much much more stable and easier to use as long as you have the right length. Thanks for the feedback. We’re getting ready to start making new brake lines for our Datsun 510, so maybe I’ll try some steel break lines out. The one think I don’t like about the NiCopp is that it bends way too easy sometimes and doesn’t keep those super straight lines. I may need one of those tools to straighten out the lines if we plan on still using the NiCopp.
@@Itsallaboutthebuild My first time using NiCopp I kinked on my first bend, but it was more of testing bend to see how far I could go with it. It does suck with how easy it bends since some times you got tweek it a little in the vehicle and nothing sucks more than kinking an otherwise perfect set up. The other problem I have found with it is it will react with the tube nut and corrode, even the coated ones. Then when you go to remove them to swap, say a brake hose, you end up twisting the line and have to replace them (only reason I am redoing them on truck since all the lines were already swapped to NiCopp). I sprayed the line where the nut sits with Loctite Maxi Coat this time and will probably spray them a few more times to get it soaked in so hopefully I never run into this issue again. Should be good for years since I am swapping to stainless braided hose.
@@AandWProductions interesting note on the corrosion. Will have to watch out for that. I did get the bender tool which seems to help, but I’d like nice straight lines too 👍
Well hot damn, I fought this exact issue with NiCopp and that 3/16 Eastwood tool so many times! Eventually got through it since 1 in every 5-10 flares would be good. I bet those ones that came out good just happened to be a little off the stopper.
@@Itsallaboutthebuild Honestly i tried it on the steel line on the my car and the little piece that does the flare broke in the line… I exchanged it and was trying on my new copper lines but I’d never get a clean flare so I gave up for tonight. I’m gonna see if any stores have the die one in stock so I can get the subie back on the road quickly lol
SAVE 10% off ANY purchase w/code THEBUILD10 on www.eastwood.com
Thanks for taking the time to show why the harbor freight one is not the best choice👍
Unfortunately this harbor freight tool didn’t work very well. However, I would say there are lots of other great things Harbor Freight does have :)
I have the Eastwood viced brake flaring tool (Part # 25304) because I wanted something that would more easily flare stainless steel and steel line (NiCopp wasn't quite well known yet and hard to find in my area). It did wonders. But when I started switching to NiCopp, I had the same trouble you did, sometimes I'd get perfect flares and sometimes I'd get the goofy little crush behind the flare. I thought maybe I had the die too loose or too tight. Thought I was using to much force on the handle with it being softer. Never once did I think that maybe it was out too far, even with OP0 setting the depth. I went out to my garage to test your theory since I am redoing the brake lines on my truck again. Pushing it back a smidge further eliminated that issue. Now I just gotta find the right balance of force on the handle again.
I was thinking that the issue may be more related to the NiCopp, but haven’t tried the steel lines. However the die seems much much more stable and easier to use as long as you have the right length. Thanks for the feedback. We’re getting ready to start making new brake lines for our Datsun 510, so maybe I’ll try some steel break lines out. The one think I don’t like about the NiCopp is that it bends way too easy sometimes and doesn’t keep those super straight lines. I may need one of those tools to straighten out the lines if we plan on still using the NiCopp.
@@Itsallaboutthebuild My first time using NiCopp I kinked on my first bend, but it was more of testing bend to see how far I could go with it. It does suck with how easy it bends since some times you got tweek it a little in the vehicle and nothing sucks more than kinking an otherwise perfect set up.
The other problem I have found with it is it will react with the tube nut and corrode, even the coated ones. Then when you go to remove them to swap, say a brake hose, you end up twisting the line and have to replace them (only reason I am redoing them on truck since all the lines were already swapped to NiCopp). I sprayed the line where the nut sits with Loctite Maxi Coat this time and will probably spray them a few more times to get it soaked in so hopefully I never run into this issue again. Should be good for years since I am swapping to stainless braided hose.
@@AandWProductions interesting note on the corrosion. Will have to watch out for that. I did get the bender tool which seems to help, but I’d like nice straight lines too 👍
Well hot damn, I fought this exact issue with NiCopp and that 3/16 Eastwood tool so many times! Eventually got through it since 1 in every 5-10 flares would be good. I bet those ones that came out good just happened to be a little off the stopper.
Glad to know I wasn’t the only one having these issues. What type of car are you using the NiCopp with???
Nice
Thanks. We've had lots of fun putting the 280zx together. She's almost ready for daily driving.
That harbor freight one was junk. Super surprising because most of their stuff is awesome.
We love Harbor Freight. Yes, this tool didn't work well with nicopp brake lines :(
@@Itsallaboutthebuild same here, I was getting horrible flares on the copper line… I’m gonna try the Eastwood one tm!
@@legendkiler619 The Eastwood die is waayyy better. Not sure if the harbor freight only works with steel lines ???
@@Itsallaboutthebuild Honestly i tried it on the steel line on the my car and the little piece that does the flare broke in the line… I exchanged it and was trying on my new copper lines but I’d never get a clean flare so I gave up for tonight. I’m gonna see if any stores have the die one in stock so I can get the subie back on the road quickly lol
@@legendkiler619 Good to know. Guess there’s no good use for the harbor freight flare kit.