Landracing Forum

Tech Information => Technical Discussion => Topic started by: donpearsall on March 16, 2010, 12:55:06 AM

Title: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
Post by: donpearsall on March 16, 2010, 12:55:06 AM
Is there a tool that can bead the end of metal (aluminum, copper, steel) fuel lines? ID 5/16 & 3/8"? I have seen where there are tools for beading large water tubing but not for small lines.

Anything come to mind? Oh, cheap is essential.
Thanks
Don
Title: Re: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
Post by: Joe Timney on March 16, 2010, 06:51:15 AM
Try this web site : http://www.earls.co.uk/earls/accessories/tools/beadingtools.html
Title: Re: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
Post by: Ron Gibson on March 16, 2010, 09:48:45 AM
On smaller lines, 3/16 up to whatever your toll will take, I use a double flare tool.  Let your tube protrude about (experiment) 2/3 of what you're supposed to for a double flare. Use the insert and do the first stage only. Puts a nice uniform bulge right at the end. Works for me, YMMV.

Ron
Title: Re: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
Post by: 754 on March 16, 2010, 12:18:30 PM
If you have access to a lathe, you can whip up an inner mandrel, and a roller that fits in the tool post.

 easy to make and easy to use on a straight piece of line.
Title: Re: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
Post by: floydjer on March 16, 2010, 12:52:42 PM
Than there`s this :cheers:
Title: Re: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
Post by: 754 on March 16, 2010, 01:22:17 PM
That will do it!...great tool..
Title: Re: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
Post by: donpearsall on March 16, 2010, 05:48:41 PM
Floyd, that is a nice tool. Is that something you made?
Title: Re: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
Post by: floydjer on March 18, 2010, 08:44:14 AM
No it isn`t, found the pic. somewhere. :cheers:Jerry
Title: Re: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
Post by: javajoe79 on March 28, 2010, 12:01:26 PM
Try this web site : http://www.earls.co.uk/earls/accessories/tools/beadingtools.html
I have one of those for 3/8 line. I bought it to do trans cooler lines. Works great.
Title: Re: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
Post by: Rex Schimmer on April 02, 2010, 10:54:41 PM
Ever since this thread started I kept thinking I need to take some pics of the flaring and beading tool that I have because it is so neat. This "kit" was given to me by a friend and it was from his father who was an air plane mechanic in the Marines in the early 50s. The kit is made by the Kent-Moore Organization a division of GM. It is unbelievably well made and does a perfect job of flaring, double flare and beading all sizes from 3/16 to 5/8 inch dia. I flared all of the 3/16 stainless brake lines on my roadster and they never leaked. The best thing about this is that you use my favorite tool,  a BFH (Big Friendly Hammer) to make it work. What a priceless tool.

Rex
Title: Re: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
Post by: Utahfab on April 02, 2010, 11:56:46 PM
How about this?

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/ezbeader.php
Title: Re: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
Post by: desotoman on April 03, 2010, 12:14:12 AM
Here is another tool. Different sizes soon to be available.

Tom G.


http://www.tubebeadingtool.com/tool_options.htm
Title: Re: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
Post by: Kato Engineering on April 03, 2010, 11:50:36 PM
I have used the unit as shown by FLOYD,
the issue is that it requires a straight area of the tube that is about 3 and a half inches long, so, any bends will have to be formed after the flare is made.
 the other units as shown can usually get up a bit closer to a confined bend radius.
I have a "former" that uses a large hex wrench to roll the bead.
but I do not have a photo, I do not know what company made the unit.my dad had it since the mid 1940's.