I totally agree about the hard line and keeping the length of flex line in the system to under a foot with a minimal amount of high dollar fittings is not too difficult is you plan the system out ahead of time . Really about the only 2 places you NEED flex line are a couple from the sending unit to the hard line and from the hard line to the engine (to allow for engine movement).

The tools you'll need are:

a tubing cutter,

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-23...ools-2107.aspx


double flare tool

http://www.eastwood.com/tubing-flari...le-single.html

and a good tubing bender

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...ges/470-fh.php

There are a few different options and opinions for the cutter and flaring tools, I've shown the ones I prefer (for me they are easier for working on/under car due to their size).

DO NOT scrimp on the bending tool. Yes there are a bunch of cheaper ones out there and they usually end up being used once and then thrown are far as you can because they end up kinking the tube on sharp bends. The one I’ve shown is one of the only ones that can actually make a tight 180 degree bend without kinking the tube.

So if you don’t have anything you’ll be into it for about $75-100 in tools plus the cost of the hard line (which can be bought in a bulk roll at most good parts stores) and fittings.

The first one you do may actually not save you any money but IMO you’ll end up with a lot cleaner looking and safer system.