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Brake pipe ends (UNF/metric)
Slimy38 - 9/1/18 at 11:08 AM

I've bought myself a Powerhand brake flaring tool based on recommendations on here, but then I found out that the MX5 fittings for the ends are metric rather than UNF. The tool only mentions the fact that it works with 3/16" pipe, does the difference between metric and UNF change the flare at all?

There appears to only be one type of punch available for the Powerhand tool, does that mean both metric and UNF use the same flare?

40inches - 9/1/18 at 11:40 AM

I have used 3/16 pipe with metric on one end and imperial on the other, works fine. The flare deforms, when installed, to
fit the fitting

nick205 - 9/1/18 at 11:54 AM

As above the flare on the pipe deforms so will work OK with imperial and metric.

bonzoronnie - 9/1/18 at 01:26 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Slimy38
I've bought myself a Powerhand brake flaring tool based on recommendations on here.

There appears to only be one type of punch available for the Powerhand tool, does that mean both metric and UNF use the same flare?


It makes no difference to the tool if you use metric or Imperial fittings on 3/16" brake pipe.

3/16 tube is more or less the industry standard brake pipe size used on the vast majority of vehicles.
Just use the correct fitting for the job in hand.

The tool may struggle if you should come across the odd tube of a metric size.

Have one of those tools myself, great bit of kit.

JAG - 9/1/18 at 02:42 PM

If you are connecting the hard brake pipe to braking parts like calipers, master cylinders etc... then it's wise to check what sort of flare you need.

Japanese and European brake pipe flares can be different. Like this...


rusty nuts - 9/1/18 at 05:57 PM

Imperial flares have a different shape to metric flares, the die and the punch are different.