DIY brake pipes

[twoqu]

I see that some people are fabricating their own. Was wondering what tools are needed as I have some to do and its probably a good idea to be self sufficent!
Recommended sources of components would be good too!

[GazzaG60]

you need so brake line, a flaring tool and the connectors.

easiest way is to remove old line and make one up following the old one.

compare the flares on the old one to get the correct shape.

etka used to tell you the length of the lines, not sure if it does now.

its a simple job but time consuming to get to the lines in the first place.

give them a coat of grease after.

[twoqu]

Like everything else you only get what you pay for in terms of tool quality. Even used quality stuff seems to make good money. Then there is all the different types!
Might just check to see what a local shop would charge once I get an accurate measurement. According to etka its 2785mm long!

[GazzaG60]

for the amount of time its used dont worry too much on quality. the lines are very soft material and tools designed not to over tighten in general.

ive used 2 types. vice mount and handheld.

labour charges are gonna be big id expect. its not the line creation its the gettnig to it and fitting thats the time.

[willg54]

Which brake lines are you making? The hardlines across the rear of mine only took about 15mins each to make.

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk 2

[GazzaG60]

id have said front to rear at over 2m long.

[Rusty]

Check out Merlin Motorsport in Combe for Goodridge bits and pieces

[Error404]

I would counter what Gaz says (sorry) buy a quality bending tool, the cheap ones hinge very loosely which tend to crush the pipe bends slightly rather than create a nice radius and maintain the pipe shape and original diameter. Maybe not so important with brake lines, but you will use the same tool for your fuel lines and yes you only use them every so often, but you will only get annoyed with it and end up buying a good quality one in the end. The flaring and cutting tools even the cheap ones work pretty well

[GazzaG60]

well i was talking flaring and cutting. bending is done with hands or at the banana factory.

fuel lines for me are a different ball game.

[twoqu]

I made the thread particularly vague as I didn't want to mention it's on my A6 not the S2!
Basically it a single line that starts behind the rear wheel one side, twists and turns backwards to some sort of xmember, across the car to the other side and forward to behind the other wheel. Hence its near 3M length!
The run across the car is relatively straight but the runs either side are very convoluted. Not sure how it was actually installed at the factory but I doubt it will come off in one piece. Naturally its the twisty bits that need replacing!
Not entirely sure how to approach it. A three piece would be easier as I am not sure its possible to either start one end and feed the pipe into the clips as you go, or pre bend it as much as possible prior to fitting. Not helped by the fact it goes over the xmember one side and under it the other. Might see if that comes off. Looks like it might!
The radius of the bends is not that tight. I was more concerned with making a good flare.
Rather than pay someone else, I would rather invest in the tools to do the job!

[AndyP]

I make my own brake pipes, I use one of these for the flaring

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cht229-pipe-flaring-cutting-kit-?da=1&TC=SRC-brake%20pipe%20flaring

And have both of these for the bending

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3IN1-COPPE...item4166ce1294

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Sealey...item1e621fd439

I've found that it pays to make a really tidy, square, cut on the pipe, it makes putting a neat flare on the end much easier. Put the flaring too in a vice too and measure, accuratley, how much you leave sticking out before flaring, I always use 5mm.

I made these last weekend, took a couple of attempts to get the width and leg lengths spot on , but the copper pipe is cheap.

[Error404]

I've found that it pays to make a really tidy, square, cut on the pipe, it makes putting a neat flare on the end much easier. Put the flaring too in a vice too and measure, accuratley, how much you leave sticking out before flaring, I always use 5mm.

[Mr.Crossfire]

Having brake pipes made is very cheap even here in Finland, but I also have my own flaring tools because the brake pipe is propably going to fail in weekend, and the shops making pipes are closed.

I have the same looking (propably chinese) flaring tool set as AndyP, although sold under different brand. I've made something like ~10 brake pipes, fuel lines for my 90 and also flared even the factory steel fuel lines. It required some extra clamping though, but made it.

[TimE-J]

The flaring tool Andy posted a link to is perfect for most small pipe jobs you would do on a car. They even do work with a bit of brute strength flare 8mm nickel pipe like my fuel lines.

[twoqu]

Thanks for the info!
Must admit I like the SP hand held one as it looks idiot proof (ideal for me!). Downside its expensive and only for pipework of 3/16th/4.75mm.
In this instance the problem is trying to manhandle nearly 3M of brake pipe around all the obstacles. I think they built the car around this pipe! I'll see what I can turn up tomorrow. If the price of a made up one is the price of a cheap tool, then might as well give it a go.