Brake flaring tool

I would check out one of these Mastercool Universal hydraulic flaring kits  , they do just about everything front double and bubble flare to different fuel line flares. well worth the money, once you get the hang of it you'll be making perfect flare with the squeeze of you fingers. I've seen them on ebay for as low as $275 with free shipping, thats brand new. they go on the tool trucks form $400-$500.

That is the flaring tool that I have. It is the best tool in my box!

Well I was able to salvage the 'now non-exsistant' brake lines, so I wont have to reproduce my own. NICE...
 
So, not to waste my efforts, I turned that search into a bead blaster, which I picked up today...small steps my friends, I will get there...
 
I'll post pics of my efforts..no VW section..no brake section....driveline?...do we have a WIP or Under Construction  section?

 
Blue...

Well I was able to salvage the 'now non-exsistant' brake lines, so I wont have to reproduce my own. NICE... So, not to waste my efforts, I turned that search into a bead blaster, which I picked up today...small steps my friends, I will get there... I'll post pics of my efforts..no VW section..no brake section....driveline?...do we have a WIP or Under Construction  section?
 Blue...

-blueddb

    I get a creepy feeling when I hear someone talking about salvaging old brake lines. I'm not a master fabricator like Lou and while I've rebuilt engines, my eyes just aren't what they used to be. Transmissions are a closed book and while I can swap one out, I'm lost inside one. Suspensions, especially front end alignments are as good as magic mojo to me.

   Where I've always been good is the tires and brakes.I NEVER reuse old brake lines. I still use the screw type flaring tool I bought years ago. Brakes and tires are more important than the engine as if the engine fails, you just stop. If the brakes fail, you don't stop, until you hit something. I can put brakes on your car that will throw you through the windshield if that's what you want and your pockets are deep enough.

   Please, please please, don't cheap out on your brakes. Your life literally depends on them. You spend all sorts of time and money and then total your car? At least make sure the parts in there are good. If you rebuild the drum brakes, make sure the drums are thick enough and round, the wheel cylinders have fresh seals in them, the flex hoses are fresh and the steel lines are all solid. Preferably, I'd go with discs all the way around, especially if you go with larger wheels and tires.

I have that style flare tool as well. I got mine off the Snap-On dealer (was in a bind and he had it on the truck). Makes perfect flares. They have recently come out with a set of 37 degree adapters for it for doing A-N fittings. don't have a set, yet, but i don't really do much A-N stuff, mostly 45 degree and ISO flares.
Sometimes "salvaging" an old line isn't a bad thing, if the line is otherwise solid. Say you have one that just has a bad ned (rusted of, rounded fitting), but is otherwise in good shape. You can install a new fitting, re-flare, and be on tour way. Now, I'm not necessarily condoning doing it on every situation, but if the bulk of the line is in good condition, and it's only the flared end that's bad, I wouldn't hesitate to do it.