Board logo

brake pipes
welshboy - 11/2/07 at 07:13 PM

hi all is nickel pipe much better than copper pipe

Dave Bailey - 11/2/07 at 07:18 PM

...... Kunifer is the one to go for......

RichardK - 11/2/07 at 08:06 PM

Is this the gear?

Linky

Cheers

Rich

rusty nuts - 11/2/07 at 09:10 PM

Thats the one but check with your local motor factors first

daviep - 11/2/07 at 10:06 PM

What exactly are the benefits of kunifer over copper?

jollygreengiant - 12/2/07 at 03:40 AM

When you need to undo a pipe, it will come undone with twisting the pipe because the nut hasn't permanently joined itself to the copper brake pipe.

Also kunifer does not go a funny colour.

Kunifer is technicaly a stronger pipe for the same wall thickness.

britishtrident - 12/2/07 at 07:33 AM

Kunifer has better fatigue ressistance.

rusty nuts - 12/2/07 at 08:48 AM

Hope you mean without twisting the pipe Clive? although brass nuts should be used with copper pipe to get the same result.

Bluemoon - 12/2/07 at 09:46 AM

The only problem with kunifer pipe is finding a pipe flaring tool designed for it as it's harder than copper...

Dan

02GF74 - 12/2/07 at 10:24 AM

is it worth spending the extra on the kunifer pipe and the tool?

We all hear about its advantages over copper but I have not heard of anyone having any trouble with plain copper pipes; they should be marked with some approval stamp so are fit for the puprose and SVA men seem happy with them.

Peteff - 12/2/07 at 10:54 AM

I have a cheapo brake flaring tool from Clarke and it flares Kunifer with no problems. I get pipe from the local spares shop where it costs about the same as copper and it's a lot less than he's asking on ebay.

David Jenkins - 12/2/07 at 11:11 AM

quote:
Originally posted by 02GF74
is it worth spending the extra on the kunifer pipe and the tool?

We all hear about its advantages over copper but I have not heard of anyone having any trouble with plain copper pipes; they should be marked with some approval stamp so are fit for the puprose and SVA men seem happy with them.


You are correct in saying that copper pipe is used by many people, and problems are rare. However, its use is forbidden in many countries (e.g. the USA) as they believe that it is prone to failure due to work-hardening and fatigue - I believe that they only allow steel (which seems daft, as that rusts). You would have to make your own decision (but it's worth noting Volvo always used to prefer kunifer pipe).

As kunifer is only a couple of Pounds more expensive, why not use the good stuff anyway, and be sure?

David

[Edited on 12/2/07 by David Jenkins]

britishtrident - 12/2/07 at 11:29 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Bluemoon
The only problem with kunifer pipe is finding a pipe flaring tool designed for it as it's harder than copper...

Dan


The problem of slipping through the die occurs with all types of pipe and all makes of tool, really just a matter of taking a tiny thickness of material off the flat mating surfaces of the die so they clamp the pipe properly.

It is worse on the tools sold by Clark and Machine Mart because the surfaces are plated, just rub the dies down on wet and dry paper on a flat surface, or if you are a true perfectionist some fine grind paste on a bit of plate glass.