What's new
By:
Filters

Eastwood or similar pro flaring tool

JNHEscher

JNHEscher

Red Skull Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2020
Member Number
1892
Messages
2,997
Loc
Dogwood, MO.
Been wanting to try one for a few years. Went to flare some new lines for my car today and saw that my 3/16" die is bent. Could just get another set from Oh Really's with a $5 off, but I'm not super enamored with them (Performance Tool double flare tool).

Anybody stoked to use the Eastwood pro flaring tool, or does it have its own quirks?
www.eastwood.com

Eastwood Professional Brake Line and Tubing Flaring Tool

Create 3 kinds of precision flares, in 5 sizes of tubing
www.eastwood.com www.eastwood.com
 
I have the Mastercool hydraulic flaring tool. Seldom used but it will come in handy soon again.

I have my grandfathers Imperial Eastman bubble flaring tool which is a cool manual tool similar to the Eastwood.

The hydraulic sucks when you are on your back under a car in the laneway.

I’d pick up some new dies from a reputable company and still consider the Eastman or Mastercool because there are situations where you’ll require the manual tool
 
  • Like
Reactions: DMG
I have this one, near as I can tell it's the same tool as the Eastwood for less money. I've never had anything make nice flares as quickly and easily as this tool does it.

 
I have had the Mastercool and they are great but lent it out and needed to do some lines and so I grabbed one of these

For the money you can’t beat it and works as well as the Mastercool, just not hydraulic. If you are doing flares in installed lines, it can be better as it is smaller. There are different kits with different sizes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DMG
TrikeKid said:
I have this one, near as I can tell it's the same tool as the Eastwood for less money. I've never had anything make nice flares as quickly and easily as this tool does it.

Click to expand...
That does appear to be the exact same machine. I'm aware that lots of Eastwood stuff is just Chinese stuff rebranded with their name on it.
 
BustedCrank said:
Another vote for the mastercool setup. Expensive, but if you use it more then a couple times, its worth it.
Click to expand...
I'm liking that one. Looks a bit slow compared to the Eastwood turret, but then again, I don't have to set the Mastercool in a vise.
 
My friend has the eastwood and it is second to none for doing lines on a bench, obviously useless on car.
 
JNHEscher said:
I'm liking that one. Looks a bit slow compared to the Eastwood turret, but then again, I don't have to set the Mastercool in a vise.
Click to expand...
Just make sure you have three hands or a lot of patience.
 
If its off car buy the eastwood no question, hands down.
 
total newb said:
I cant say enough about my master cool kit.

Lil cumbersum at first but nails them every time.
Its the only tool (including snapon/matco) that flare 1/4" worth a fuck.
Click to expand...
I did my mom’s Tahoe with a Rigid setup and it was all 1/4” line. The Rigid block is really nice and nothing slipped. I was using cupro line which is softer. But tying into the factory stainless flex lines under the proportioning valve wasn’t bad.
 
I went this route. Able to use it for multiple different lines.
www.summitracing.com

Summit Racing SUM-900307 Summit Racing™ Professional Flaring Tools | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Summit Racing™ Professional Flaring Tools with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Flaring Tools at Summit Racing.
www.summitracing.com www.summitracing.com


1726662557135.png
 
I have the eastwood flaring tool and really like it. I used it to plumb my rig with SS hardline, and it worked great. I got my benders from inline tube, and they kick ass. I also used a flare lapping tool from koul tools to get the flares perfect.
 
I have the summit one posted above. 100% worth every penny.
Again useless for lines on a chassis but for making new you cant beat it.
 
Here’s gramps double flare tool. It took a few tries because I had the die upside down 😆
I didn’t have the line perfectly straight so the flare became slightly lopsided but I bet it would seal. This Eastman unit is cool because it sets the proper flare height for you. There is still some guesswork with the Mastercool setup. I can’t speak for Eastwood

What about cutters and benders. I see a post above about benders. I’d like a nice ratchet cutter
 

Attachments

  • IMG_6900.jpeg
    IMG_6900.jpeg
    1.6 MB · Views: 7
  • IMG_6901.jpeg
    IMG_6901.jpeg
    1.5 MB · Views: 8
total newb said:
I cant say enough about my master cool kit.

Lil cumbersum at first but nails them every time.
Its the only tool (including snapon/matco) that flare 1/4" worth a fuck.
Click to expand...

This^

I have the JIC 37 degree kit with mine and use it for making JIC hardlines up to 1/2" as well. I prefer the JIC flare with the backup ferrule over the 45 degree fittings anyways because its less likely to gall and twist off with repeat tightening and loosening. For things that we build here, that are exposed to grit and debris, and have the axles and brake systems apart more often than a production vehicle, I find it a beneficial improvement.
 
JNHEscher said:
Been wanting to try one for a few years. Went to flare some new lines for my car today and saw that my 3/16" die is bent. Could just get another set from Oh Really's with a $5 off, but I'm not super enamored with them (Performance Tool double flare tool).

Anybody stoked to use the Eastwood pro flaring tool, or does it have its own quirks?
www.eastwood.com

Eastwood Professional Brake Line and Tubing Flaring Tool

Create 3 kinds of precision flares, in 5 sizes of tubing
www.eastwood.com www.eastwood.com
Click to expand...

I got one and love it. Might've messed up one flare in the last 50 or so.
 
Vevor currently listing clones of both the eastwood and mastercool versions for $102 and $180 ($134 after registering for the site), respectively.
I have a real mastercool at home, with all the extra die sets. as mentioned, takes some getting used to after the basic ones for so long, but works awesome.
 

Attachments

  • 2024-09-18 15_29_47-Window.jpg
    2024-09-18 15_29_47-Window.jpg
    55 KB · Views: 6
I have the Eastwood 37 and 45 set in the OP and really like it. As has been mentioned repeatedly, it isn't much use for anything still on the vehicle. I picked it up on sale at one of their stores (see below) for nearly half price.

Eastwood also offers a Mastercool style set: Eastwood Hydraulic Tubing Flaring Tool Set

Curiously, they also sell several of the Mastercool sets - such as this one: Mastercool Universal Hydraulic Flaring Kit 72475

They also have the conventional manual style tools as well. Here's their full line of flaring tools: Flaring Tools

Last weekend was Eastwood's Fall Shop the Lot sale. If you're near one of their stores, they typically have a Spring and a Fall Shop the Lot sale of scratch and dent, returned, and discontinued items. You can find some really good deals at those sales. The one here in Pottstown, PA I think is their main warehouse, so they may have a much better selection there than at other stores (NJ, MD, OH, IL). If you're near one of them, keep an eye out for these sales.
 
Another vote for the Eastwood with 37* and 45* dies. I don’t hate doing brakes now.

Only other flare tools I used were the typical parts store 45* tool and a Parker 37* tool, and both suck in comparison.
 
I do believe I'll go with the Eastwood. If I really need to, I could fab a bar with set screws as a handle for it.
 
I have a Eastwood knockoff from Amazon and it works awesome for the 45 and 37 flares. It's great for lines you can fit on and off the truck easily since I only use it in my vice not something for on the vehicle.

For on the vehicle flares I have a china hydraulic mastercool knock off flaring tool. Works good for that stuff but I like the Eastwood style for my bench use it works easier and faster than the hydraulic setup.
 
Yeah I had a mastercool one that came in a large Mac tool box i bought years ago. Luckily I sold it before all the china knockoff's came out so I got like $250 for it on ebay
 
Another vote for the mastercool, will pay for itself in one brake job. Biggest problem I’ve had is forgetting to put the fitting on before flaring :homer:
 
I know everyone here likes to jack off to the $200+ Mastercool kits but a $15 Chinese bender and a $20 Chinese bubble flaring kit will do anything you need to do on a stock vehicle.
 
arse_sidewards said:
I know everyone here likes to jack off to the $200+ Mastercool kits but a $15 Chinese bender and a $20 Chinese bubble flaring kit will do anything you need to do on a stock vehicle.
Click to expand...
says someone that has never used one........they kick ass....I have done on and off vehicle works everytime
 
  • Like
Reactions: DMG
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Back Refresh