How to - Cutting, Bending & Flaring Brake & Fuel Lines

When cutting brake or fuel lines for repairs, you want to use a mini pipe-cutter to obtain a clean cut. In addition to make a clean cut on fuel or brake line to make a good flare, the mini pipe-cutter can get in tight places, such as when you are working under the car. You ca also use a Dremel tool if you are careful, as long as you chamfer the end and make sure it is flat. I had to do this because my very well used mini pipe-cutter just broke. Also when using the pipe cutter use grease on the tubing so the pipe cutter turns easier. For making smooth even bends in tubing for brake or fuel lines the simplest cheapest thing to use is the specially designed springs for bending tubing. You can also fill the tubing with sand and use the springs at the same time. This way there is something both on the inside and outside of the tubing so it will not kink when trying to make tight bends for brake lines, for example. After you get the right bend in the tubing, blow out the lines with compressed air. You don't need any fancy special tube bender to do a good job. Using the flaring tool is easy. But sometimes people can't get a good flare. Some with use brake fluid on the tubing to help get a good flare, but I prefer using grease since grease slides better under pressure and that enables the flaring tool to make a perfect flare.