[Captainofiron]

Originally Posted by screamingchief

For those talking about flaring stainless steel tubing,there is a lot more to that deal than many folks are aware of.

First thing first,depending on the type of SS tube,often double flaring SS tube is'nt even remotely recommended,especially it it's generic seamed SS tube,as that type of tube tends to crack @ the seam when trying to make the double flare.

If one absolutely has to double flare SS tube,they really NEED to be using seamless/annealed (softened) SS tube specifically made for such.

Often the tubing for such is double annealed.

More often than not many will still recommend using 37° single flares w/SS tube vs. 45° double flares.

And 37° flares typically require a different flaring tool,typically those flaring tools will use some sort of mechanical force multiplication (hydraulics etc.) like those expensive production style flaring tools employ,as it's pretty much taken for granted that the 37° flare tools are going to be used on SS tubing sooner or later.

So,flaring stainless steel tubing is'nt really intended to be the relm of the "DIY" or "hobbyist" types,I mean no doubt,sure it can be done,but anyone trying to do so had better expect the frustration level to be significantly greater than using any other style of tubing in just about every respect.

FWIW

Bret P.

we use 304/316 stainless and the AN style fittings alot here at work, and there was a really big investigation into the flare cracking. Ended up that we needed to get new dies for the facing tool after the technicians would cut the tubing to length

it can be done by a DIYer, just make sure to follow the proper steps.

1) cut with a hacksaw (dont use tubing cutter)
2) file down face flat
3) use a tubing deburring tool which will also chamfer on the inside and outside (make sure tool is very sharp and is for the angle of flare you are trying to make, they are different)
4) put it in the flaring machine/tool