REFLECTOR: fuel system, flaring aluminum tubing
Keith Hallsten
KeithHallsten at quiknet.com
Sun Feb 3 19:35:12 CST 2008
Grigore,
You will need to invest in some proper bending tools (or borrow them from
another builder). The rolo-flare tool does not bend tubes, just makes the
flares. Tube bending takes some education and practice as well; you will
probably have to re-make several of the lines when the first attempts don't
yield acceptable results, so buy some extra tubing!
Keith Hallsten
_____
From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Grigore Rosu
Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2008 12:09 PM
To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: fuel system, flaring aluminum tubing
Alex,
Is this what you meant by the "roto flare tool":
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/flaringtools2.php
They call it "rolo flare tool". It appears that this tool can also bend the
tubes, which is an additional benefit if it works well. I have never worked
with tubes before and I just tried to bend the fuel lines by hand; the
result looks horible. Is this tool making good bends, too?
Regarding tube cutters, which of the following would you recommend:
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/tube_cutters3.php
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/tube_cutters1.php
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/tube_cutters4.php
... or did you have something else in mind for a "decent cutter"?
Thank you,
Grigore
On Feb 3, 2008 11:15 AM, Alex Balic <velocity_pilot at verizon.net> wrote:
I won't flame you Sid- but I would recommend the roto flare tool- you will
pay a premium for it, but it is better at flaring the aluminum, because it
does not just stretch the metal like a punch die- it does it effectively in
steps because of the shape and action of the forming end, and provides a
very good finish to the inside of the flare- use some lube- I prefer lithium
based grease, and it will look great every time - the roto tool also has a
built in gauge to set the length of the tube before flare which is handy-
although it is not all that accurate, it still helps setting up, and the
resulting flare is of the proper angle, which really is important- you can
use the male end of the AN fitting to "make" it the correct angle during
assembly, but you are just asking for a bad seal and/or a crack. Just suck
it up and get the flare tool- you will think it is expensive, and it is, but
you will use it a lot and can probably sell it on E-bay for most of what you
paid for it when you are done. And get a decent tubing cutter too, some of
the cheap ones scratch the aluminum as they work, not a good thing when
making fuel lines. You will need to do some practice and get a feel for the
flaring tool- you do not want to over flare or under flare, you will pick it
op pretty fast-
-----Original Message-----
From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Sid Knox
Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:50 AM
To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: fuel system, flaring aluminum tubing
----- Original Message -----
From: <gattenby at tulsaconnect.com>
To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
> I haven't ran any of the aluminum line yet.
> I assume that I'll need to flare the end of the tubing /
> use a special nut.
>
> Anyone care to educate me as to the process and what tools
> that I'll need?
> Noel
With my flame suit securely zipped, I offer the following:
http://www.frybrid.com/forum/vbpicgallery.php?do=view
<http://www.frybrid.com/forum/vbpicgallery.php?do=view&g=91> &g=91
As the guy points out, for aluminum (or copper) there is no point in
worrying about whether the tool
is for 37 deg or 45 deg... when I tighten the flare nut, the flared tubing
end conformes. I will add however that
I prefer to tighten a new flared end onto a steel (AN) fitting ( a drop of
oil here please) that acts as a mandrel
and smoothes the flare edges before installing it on the aluminum fitting.
The steel fittings are about $2 at a auto
parts house that fabs hydraulic hoses (like Napa). The flaring tool is
about $15 at Harbor Freight or an auto parts store.
Sid Knox
Oklahoma
Velocity 173 RG N199RS
Starduster N666SK
KR2 N24TC
W7QJQ
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