Mastercool tools - any experience? Flaring tools in general?

[MarcusOReallyus]

I tried a search and got zero hits.

Do any of you have any experience with Mastercool tools?

I'm looking at their flaring tool kit, since I have some brake and fuel lines to replace on my civvyChevy, and expect I'll probably need to do the same once I start on my M1008. It's just part of the territory with old vehicles.

I've tried the parts-store tools. What a waste of time! They do a single flare okay some of the time, but that's it. Forget a double flare.

Right now I'm looking at spending $265 for two stinking pieces of fuel line for my civvyChevy, and that's only the return line! I have the fuel supply and brake lines yet to do. If I make them myself, I have more than paid for the tool. It's on Amazon for $325.

Anybody familiar with this tool, or at least, with this line of tools?

Or can you recommend a decent flaring tool that will do single AND double?

 

[doghead]

What words did you search?


A general search for "mastercool" brings up a few threads.

 

[hndrsonj]

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/conversations/91740-brake-line-flaring-tool.html

 

[doghead]

35 threads come up with a search for "flaring tool".

What words did you search?

 

[F18hornetM]

That looks way over kill to flare some brake lines. You can get a simple double flaring tool for much less. Unless the M1008 has some weird flared tubing.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...cs-adapter/_/N-26gg?itemIdentifier=864647_0_0_

 

[dependable]

A regular double flaring tool should work for anything on a CUCV. I think mine is a KD brand, works fine.

 

[MarcusOReallyus]

What words did you search?


A general search for "mastercool" brings up a few threads.

That's fun. I searched on "Mastercool" and got zero hits.


Well, forum software glitches once in a while, I guess, and search functions are notoriously fickle.

Anyway, thanks very much. Those links have all I need.

Now to see who has the best price....

Any recommendations for a supplier for the Mastercool? I'd rather buy from someone reputable instead of Amazon, but I'm not paying double for it!

 

[doghead]

Amazon ( I hate it too).

BTW, I just tried "Mastercool" and I got the same(4 threads) results. Always trying to improve our site...

 

[MarcusOReallyus]

That looks way over kill to flare some brake lines. You can get a simple double flaring tool for much less. Unless the M1008 has some weird flared tubing.

I have several of those type of tools at home.

Garbage. All of them. The line slips out of the tool, even when the wing nuts are tightened with pliers. And even if it worked, it would leave gouges in the tubing wall. Not a problem for fuel lines, but it's an invitation to a broken line with the pressure of brake systems. You can likely get away with it for a time, maybe even a long time, but there's no way I'm going to drive a vehicle with pre-cut brake lines.

 

[MarcusOReallyus]

Amazon ( I hate it too).

I hear ya. But, $600 vs. $300 means Amazon here I come.

BTW, I just tried "Mastercool" and I got the same(4 threads) results. Always trying to improve our site...

Hmmm. I may know what happened. The first time, I fat-fingered it and added an apostrophe at the end, like this:

Mastercool'

That got nothing, of course. Then I re-did it, but I'll bet the site reloaded the previous results, which were zero.

 

[MarcusOReallyus]

Okay, there IS some weirdness with the search function. I just copied this from a thread:

cunifer

Then I pasted it into the search function, and got zero results again.




I dunnno why!

 

[MarcusOReallyus]

Interesting. If I repeat the search, I get one hit - the post above.

 

[MarcusOReallyus]

Whoa.

I just did EXACTLY the same search, and got 7 hits!

 

[deuceman51]

I have the hydraulic line flaring tool and absolutely love it. It gets into tight places and has already paid for itself with my business. It was around $600, but like I said, having the right tool makes all the difference.

 

[F18hornetM]

Deuceman51. Looking at your list of equipment and considering the condition of surplus trucks brake lines, you may have done a good thing by buying the hydraulic flaring tool. But for most who only use occasionally, its not worth the cost.

 

[ODdave]

I have the mastercool kit and it works perfect. Just remember to oil the dies when doing push connect as they tend to stick on the tube.

 

[Tanner]

Just bought a set of ISO flaring tools on Fleecepay for $30.00 - quality bit of kit; no issues. Should have similar results when buying/using Standard bubble flare kit.

Use a drop of brake fluid on die tip to make it easier to flare. Also, use a quality tubing cutter.

'Tanner'

 

[MarcusOReallyus]

Deuceman51. Looking at your list of equipment and considering the condition of surplus trucks brake lines, you may have done a good thing by buying the hydraulic flaring tool. But for most who only use occasionally, its not worth the cost.

Agreed, but in my case, I've got one vehicle that needs fuel and brake lines, and two others (including my M1008 ) that will almost certainly need similar work.

And then, there may be trans lines that need to be replaced, too.

For my civvyChevy, the dealer wants $265 just for the fuel return line, and that's not counting the delivery line!

Yes, I know I can make it myself using pre-flared sections, but that would leave me with a lot of unnecessary joints.


I think for me it makes sense at this point. I can do all three vehicles correctly, and then maybe sell the tool and recoup part of the investment.

At least, that's what I'm telling myself!

 

[Scrounger]

I have a friend who has one of them; in fact he just used it to replace a brake line on my K3500. I have used that flaring kit and can’t speak highly enough of it. I will have one shortly. Is the tool expensive, well what is your time and aggravation worth? For me if a tool works and saves me time, does the job right and on the first try, I don’t care if costs three times as much. All I can say is if you can afford it you won’t regret buying one.

Super price on Mastercool - 71475PRC at ToolTopia.com
Great deal on Mastercool - 71475-SUPREME at ToolTopia.com

 

[robert c neth]

when i replaced my fuel lines on my 3/4 to gmc i used regular flared brake lines from napa.