Hard line bender, cutter and flaring tools

Before anyone says use the search button, I tried and didnt find the post i was looking for.

I was wondering what tools everyone is using for hardlines. Also what straitner you guys are using, if any.

Thanks, Andrew

i am using swagelok myself....they make there own bender but it is quite pricey.....imperial also makes some

http://stridetool.com/tools/hose_tubingtools/tubebenders_055.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290452078210&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

if you use swagelok you dont need to flare so a flaring tool isnt necessary.....the fitting arent cheap but you could find bulk lots for a reasonable deal on ebay

i use this bender

http://www.eastwood.com/triple-head-180-degree-tubing-bender-3-16-3-8-in.html

i bought it on ebay through the eastwood store for $27 shipped

i use this flare tool. it works perfect everytime

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/37-Degree-Flaring-Tool-for-Stainless-Steel-Line,9067.html

i use 3/8" stainless line and cut it with a cut off wheel, then use a hand file to make sure it's straight. i buy the line in 8' sections from aircraftspruce.com

i use swagelok benders, i believe the 1/2" benders are around 400$, thankfully i get all my stainless tubing and fittings from work, and i also get the benders, cutter, and reamer. ive never tried to flare the tubing, i always used compressions when using ss line. im running 3/8" fuel line, 1/2" suspension, and 1/4" for rear brake lines. ive had to buy a few fittings, and when i do, i usually check ebay and also mcmaster.com they have basically everything.

ive used other benders for bending stainless, and the swagelok have by far put the others to shame. the swagelok benders have rollers to roll around the tubing as it bends, as where most others "drag" around the tube, which makes it much harder to bend. if i ran ss on everyones truck that ive helped, id definitely buy my own, however, if i only did my own, id buy a cheaper bender,that is if i didnt have access to a good set... lol

i would love to get a swagelok bender and i continuously check ebay for a 3/8 bender......however the imperial bender i posted also has wheels like the swagelok one so i may try it for a low cost alternative

i use a ridged 3/8" bender you can find at grainger. for flairing i use a parker flair tool, very nice product. for a cutter i use a ridged from grainger. i havent had any issues so far.

i have heard bad stories about the swagloc flairless fittings for hydraulics. i know at my work we have them on 3/8 .049 stainless tubing at 1500 psi with no issues so its hard to say. me i will stick with flairs.

good luck

i was just looking at the post and did a search this may help for ya

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-8-SWAGELOK-TUBING-BENDERS-/200614405738?pt=BI_Pipe_Benders&hash=item2eb58ce66a

http://cgi.ebay.com/1-2-SWAGELOK-TUBING-BENDERS-/200614400993?pt=BI_Pipe_Benders&hash=item2eb58cd3e1

I have a mastercool hydraulic flair tool, a ridgid flair tool, ridgid benders and ridgid stainless tubing cutter. I wish I could afford some of the nicer tools but I am only doing my own stuff.

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burnzya said:

i use this bender

http://www.eastwood.com/triple-head-180-degree-tubing-bender-3-16-3-8-in.html

i bought it on ebay through the eastwood store for $27 shipped

i use this flare tool. it works perfect everytime

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/37-Degree-Flaring-Tool-for-Stainless-Steel-Line,9067.html

i use 3/8" stainless line and cut it with a cut off wheel, then use a hand file to make sure it's straight. i buy the line in 8' sections from aircraftspruce.com

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You can borrow that bender from autozone if you need to.

Thanks for all the info. i have a better idea of what to get now.