Titan 51535 3/16-Inch Double Flaring Tool

I spent several hours researching flaring tools that would make a bubble flare & double flare using cooper nickel 3/16 brake line for my 2000 Olds Silhouette / Venture / Montana (same 96-05). Here is the bottom line absolutely:1. Although not a perfect match to the OEM bubble flare, if you just perform operation 1, you end up with a bubble flare that matches the factor bubble flare super closely. Made bubble flares for wheel cylinders with zero issues / no leaks whatsoever.2. Replaced brake lines while still on van, and this tool worked excellently in tight spaces per making double flares and using brake line fittings & unions - no leaks! Saved me a lot of work not having to replace large sections of brake line because of the need to use a flaring tool in a vice or in a more open space, which would negate the option to replace just a small section in a hard to get to area. Simply a great tool, with a great design, and very practical applications.3. Copper Nickel...no problem...nuff said.4. Food for thought: Because of making the double flares on the vehicle, I had to be very careful not to allow falling rust, dirt, sand, and salt to get into the tool, lines, and fittings. I decided to simply take the tool apart each time and clean it, which is easy and quick. I can't image introducing contaminates would be helpful. Use plenty of grease, which comes with the kit. Highly recommend Lisle 44150 3/16" Tubing Bender Pliers for shaping brake lines. This is only my second ever Amazon review, but these two tools saved me tons of time and money, they made my repair efficient and straightforward, and they will make a good addition to my tool collection. 5 stars isn't enough...

I purchase literally hundreds of items on Amazon every year, most of them tools or tool related. I never write reviews. This is the first review I have written in years to my recollection. This tool is absolutely incredible. To even put it in the same sentence as the "other" inexpensive flaring tools for purpose of comparison is absolutely unfair. I am a "semi-professional" mechanic, and I think EVERY shop should own this tool. This tool is brilliant, innovative, small and can easily do flares on the vehicle or off.I also own the Mastercool hydraulic tool kit which costs like $300-$400 and has insane reviews on Amazon. It's the industry standard. Well guess what. The Mastercool IS an amazing tool. But I can honestly say that I DEFINITELY prefer this tool over the Mastercool. The Mastercool is great and pretty easy to use, but it requires three hands to set up the line inside the tool. And in a tight spot (or even not so tight) on the car? Forget about it. Also, there is room for user error with the Mastercool. If you stick the tube out too much or too little, or cockeyed, the flare is messed up. I have found that with the Titan tool, I get literally PERFECT flares EVERY time with VERY little room for user error. It's easily repeatable and consistent without even thinking about what you're doing. Anyone who has ever used the cheap tools knows that saying that sentence would be absolutely impossible. And I can't say it about the Mastercool either. Only this tool.The obvious advantage of the Mastercool is that it can make many different types and sizes of flares, whereas this tool makes only one. But this is the most common flare you'll encounter on American vehicles. And at the price point? Forget about it. If Snapon made a version of this tool they would probably charge $179 for it.A couple of tips: Use an impact driver with a 17 mm deep socket to drive the dies in and out. And a 10 mm socket to adjust the tightening screws. I realize that with hand tools, using this flaring tool would be more tedious. But anyone who even owns a drill can use sockets with the drill. We don't need crazy torque here. Although the torque of an impact driver does help.I guess if I could find one thing to "complain" about this tool would maybe be the tightening screws the way you have to go back and forth. But it's really not bad. Perhaps a "redesign" could make the two screws "captive" at the end, so they couldnt come out entirely. That would keep you from disassembling the whole unit while removing the screws. Not that that's a big deal anyway. Also, it would be nice if the threaded "nut" insert that you put the dies into stayed firm in its place even when the two "blocks" were totally separated from each other. It tends to kind of move around and change position. Maybe I would design it so it was permanently affixed to one block or the other.Anyway, the bottom line is if you ever flare brake lines, you should DEFINITELY have this tool, whether it's your only flaring tool, your second, third or fourth. Good luck with it.

This is a great tool. It works perfect. It also works in very tight spots. I used it to fix a mk4 gti brake line issue. Saved me from dropping the tank. So massive points there from me. This device made it very simple. Do not hesitate to buy this. I was amazed.

Great flaring tool that will work on vehicle in restricted space.