Thread: Stainless steel double flares

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Never known anyone who successfully double flaired stainless, it's too brittle. Stainless is commonly done single flair with a JIC fitting at 37 degree rather than the 45 degree of the typical mild steel flair. Maybe that's why you had a problem earlier.

Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter

Never known anyone who successfully double flaired stainless, it's too brittle. Stainless is commonly done single flair with a JIC fitting at 37 degree rather than the 45 degree of the typical mild steel flair. Maybe that's why you had a problem earlier.

You buy the stainless steel tube annealled

Roadster,

I know that Speedway says their 304 S/S is double annealed but I had trouble trying to double flare my lines as received didn't work, the metal split as others has indicated. After annealing the tubing double flared with no problem. I see now that they say to single flare at 37˚ for AN fittings.

Steve,

I got my S/S brake lines from Speedway also and will have to check if they are seamed. I wasn't aware of not using seamed lines for brakes. Speedway sells these as brake lines.

(30 Min. later), Just got off the phone with Speedway, they double checked my past order and my brake lines were 304 seamless so I guess I'm ok.

Jack.

I talked to the guys at Inline Tube (where I bought my hydraulic flaring tool) and they said that when you cut the line with a tubing cutter or a cutoff wheel, you work harden the end of the tube.....anneal it after you cut it. He said that a hacksaw was gentle and might not work harden the tubing.....

Robot,

Hadn't thought of that, thanks for the info.

Jack.

Jack, it is still difficult to double flare annealed stuff.....I would start with a 5 ft stick, flare it, cut it off, flare it again, cut that off, flare it again.....sometimes I burned the entire piece without getting two good flares......learned new words however.

Sometimes, I got lucky and got two flares on the same tube to take....now, I'm scared to ever disconnect those lines.

Pre-flared tubing from the auto supply is much easier.....and cheaper, and better for your blood pressure.

mike