ARES 18020 - Double Flaring Tool Adapter Set - Use on Copper, Aluminum, Soft Steel Brake Line and Brass Tubing - Compatible 18019 Double Flaring Tool

I wouldn't think this kit would withstand a daily or professional user, but works well and should hold up to the average user. I've used this for stainless and copper tubing with good results on both. Obviously, worked much better on the copper tubing but did make good quality double flares on stainless as well. I just had to take my time and give the tool a chance to to its job without a lot of force. None of my flares leaked and I am happy with my purchase.

I bought a cheaper set from another website and struggled to get the flare to be straight. I took this new one out today and with very little effort made a great double flare the first time. The tube cutter was also great. Very happy with my purchase.

Like several others, mine broke after about five or six flares. I was using soft brake line material, but the stud/bolt that holds the swinging arm just snapped. Otherwise, it worked nicely. This tool only has a 90 day warranty. That sucks for me.An update: I contacted Ares. They responded in one business day, but the email went to my spam folder, and it took me a few days to see it. They offered to replace the tool, after I sent them a picture. Unfortunately, that tool was out of stock. So, they gave me a refund. Great customer service. Too bad I had one of the defective tools. It seems like most are not defective.

I added photos comparing the double flares on nicopp brake line from a rental tool (left) and this tool (right). Photos describe it better than I can. This tool is absolutely worth the money. Simple, quick, easy to use. Awesome all around.

Brakes are so critical to safety that you just shouldn't cut corners by using anything but inverted double-flare fittings. That type of flare always seemed complicated and difficult to create but I needed to repair the rear brake lines on my truck so I thought I'd rent the "pro" tool from an auto parts store and do the job right... a big mistake.Their rental tool is basically the same one a plumber uses to make single flare fittings for copper water lines. The only difference is an additional die that's supposed to force the tubing into the center so the next step can turn it down (invert it) to form the double flare. The whole apparatus is awkward to handle, particularly if you're working directly on the vehicle, and it's practically impossible to keep everything aligned and centered. I made multiple attempts on scraps but never got a satisfactory result. No matter how hard I torqued everything down, the final repairs leaked under pressure.My research led me to the ARES 18025 and I can't say enough good things about this tool. My first attempt produced a flare practically identical to a factory fitting (and see photo 12 to compare it to a flare made on the rental tool). Using this tool, I remade the repair and everything came together with no leakage at all.A couple of hints:1) In photo 3 you see I've smoothed the inside of the tubing with the tip of a phillips screwdriver. This makes the inside of the flare smoother.2) Use a drop of oil to lubricate the threads of the die and one on the tubing end for each stage of the flare. Doing so makes the final result more uniform and saves wear on the tool.3) Be sure to run the dies all the way down (see photos 6 & 9), bottoming out the shoulder of die onto the body of the tool. That ensures a complete and uniform flare.I also added a cutaway photo (#13) of the first flare I made with this tool so you can see exactly how the it shapes the tubing into a true inverted double flare fitting.

Did 3 flares before breaking. Had a hard time holding the line still for the flares. Save your money and buy something else

Brakes failed on my 1958 Chevy Fleetside truck due to rusted brake lines. I decided to replace all the brake lines (5 lines) with 3/16" nickel copper tubing. After looking at the many tube flaring tools available I opted for the Ares 18025. Unlike other flaring tools that can handle various size tubing, this is specific only for one size, 3/16". Other tools requires chamfering and cleaning each cut before flaring. This one does not (as long as a proper tube cutting tool is used there should be no problem). The tubing locks firmly into the tool and the dies easily flare the tubing (don't know if the process would be more difficult with steel lines, but the nickel copper lines were easy). The double flares came out perfectly on my first try. While bleeding the brakes I had to re-tighten two of the connections due to leaks. But once that was done the system is nice and tight with no leaks. This was my first attempt at making flares for brake lines and it was an absolute no-brainer with excellent results.

Great inexpensive tool that does an excellent job. I had one earlier that did an OK job, but this one gives professional results. I would highly recommend this.

I bought this to fix one of my vehicles and was very easy to use with a very good quality product

This set has everything needed to flare any type of tubing. It is good and sturdy. I would recommend this.

This worked really well for redoing the brake lines on my classic, but I would suggest you practice first on a piece of scrap.

It makes my job butter

I should have returned this set as soon as I opened it. You know when you hold cheap metal in your hands? You know it's crap, but no, I kept it, and used it, and now I regret it.This tool came with wingnuts that stripped after a few lines, so I installed nuts. Now a bolt broke is it's screwed. I know what you're thinking, "He must have been applying too much torque". No, I only applied enough force to stop the line from moving.