Author Topic: Tool for beading Fuel lines?  (Read 23264 times)

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Offline donpearsall

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Tool for beading Fuel lines?
« 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
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Offline Joe Timney

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Re: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2010, 06:51:15 AM »
Joe Timney
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Offline Ron Gibson

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Re: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
« Reply #2 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
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Offline 754

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Re: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
« Reply #3 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.

Offline floydjer

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Re: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2010, 12:52:42 PM »
Than there`s this :cheers:
I`d never advocate drugs,alcohol,violence or insanity to anyone...But they work for me.

Offline 754

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Re: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
« Reply #5 on: March 16, 2010, 01:22:17 PM »
That will do it!...great tool..

Offline donpearsall

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Re: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
« Reply #6 on: March 16, 2010, 05:48:41 PM »
Floyd, that is a nice tool. Is that something you made?
550 hp 2003 Suzuki Hayabusa Land Speed Racer

Offline floydjer

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Re: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
« Reply #7 on: March 18, 2010, 08:44:14 AM »
No it isn`t, found the pic. somewhere. :cheers:Jerry
I`d never advocate drugs,alcohol,violence or insanity to anyone...But they work for me.

Offline javajoe79

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Re: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
« Reply #8 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.
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Offline Rex Schimmer

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Re: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
« Reply #9 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
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Offline Utahfab

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Re: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
« Reply #10 on: April 02, 2010, 11:56:46 PM »
Billy in Utah

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Offline desotoman

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Re: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
« Reply #11 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
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Offline Kato Engineering

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Re: Tool for beading Fuel lines?
« Reply #12 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.