I've watched a video of someone using one of those trident flares. Looked great and easy to use - I'm just worried it's too cheap to be reliably good. I don't want to buy one then buy a third cause the second is also a bit rubbish.

How many flares have you done? Any issues at all?

Warren - I agree it's not cheap etc but I want something that works first time and is easy to use. I'm tempted to pay that money. (I've been living down south to long)




[Edited on 27/6/18 by MikeR]

quote:

---

Originally posted by MikeR
I've watched a video of someone using one of those trident flares. Looked great and easy to use - I'm just worried it's too cheap to be reliably good. I don't want to buy one then buy a third cause the second is also a bit rubbish.

How many flares have you done? Any issues at all?

---

any Sykes Pickavant one you like - even the ancient ones (as long as they have the dies you need of course)

my dad's still got one that must be 50+ years old

My main brake pipe tool is a good quality bench vice mounted one.

Earlier this year I needed to replace a section of the rear brake pipe on my Jeep ( in situ & on the car ).

I bought one of those Trident hand tools to do the job.
It managed to flare the steel pipe on the Jeep with ease, well impressed with the tool to say the least.

[Edited on 27/6/18 by bonzoronnie]

Well I have a Machine Mart one. Did a JC Midge, my Locost and most pipes on my Skoda Estelle trials car with it and few complaints.

Just be aware the the Trident tool listed is for Imperial flares which are a different shape to Metric flares although that type of tool is available for Metric flares . I have two of the Franklin versions which work well but tend to use my vice mounted Sykes tool that I've had for at least 40 years.The Flaremaster tool is OK on Kunifer or copper but I've known at least 3 that have broken when used on steel pipes.

quote:

---

Originally posted by MikeR
I've watched a video of someone using one of those trident flares. Looked great and easy to use - I'm just worried it's too cheap to be reliably good. I don't want to buy one then buy a third cause the second is also a bit rubbish.

How many flares have you done? Any issues at all?

Warren - I agree it's not cheap etc but I want something that works first time and is easy to use. I'm tempted to pay that money. (I've been living down south to long)

---

As above I must have done 20 or so - all spot on with the Trident type shown.

I bought a cheap one which was absolutely rubbish. I upgraded to one like David W' s link and it has been excellent. Simple to use and consistent results, all for a reasonable price. It's portable as well if you ever need to do a flare on a car as opposed to on a bench.

Thanks for the feedback folks really really appreciated.

I'm off to amazon to buy the franklin metric one ..... wish me luck.

(waiting for someone to scream - no you'll need the imperial one for ...... xyz)

Also - which is better / how do i know if i should be doing single or double flares?

[Edited on 28/6/18 by MikeR]

I used my Dad's set for my build - don't know that make, but it did the job fine.

ETA - IIRC I used copper brake pipe and not kunifer.



[Edited on 28/6/18 by nick205]

quote:

---

Originally posted by MikeR

Also - which is better / how do i know if i should be doing single or double flares?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by nick205
I used my Dad's set for my build - don't know that make, but it did the job fine.

---

I inherited one like this




Which is fantastic and works every time. It's the best option, but also the most expensive and least flexible (impossible to use without a vice, or under a car)

I bought one of these:




To do one flare under a car for an MOT and it's so good the other one hasnt been out of the cupboard since.

If I went to make a full set of new lines and spend all day using it, I'd still plump for the larger one.