Lisle 33260 Flaring Tool: Creates Single or Double fFlares on 3/16" / 4.75mm and 1/4" Tubing

I've used this a couple of times to repair brake lines on my 2002 Toyota Sienna. It's easy to flare copper nickel lines because they're fairly soft. But, the OEM lines are very hard and covered with a thick plastic. I shaved off a few inches of the plastic and tried to get a good flare. The tool clamps hard, but the tube is pushed away slightly and you can't get a good flare. I marked the tubing just past the tool and could see that it moved. One of the other reviews mentioned using sand paper in the tube slot. I tried 600 grit in the tool on a piece of brake line I had taken off. But, the tube just shifted again. So, I cut a small rectangle of sand paper cloth used for cleaning copper plumbing pipes. I wrapped the brake line with a very small piece of the cloth with the grit on the inside against the brake line. There was just enough sanding cloth to go around the line and not cause too much distortion of the flare tool. On my test piece, it worked and the brake line did not move in the lisle tool. I then used it on the actual line under the van. Again, the line did not shift and I was able to produce a good flare. None of the connections I've made when using this tool have leaked. One of them is over two years old. I've attached a couple of pictures showing the cloth and you can see a tiny piece wrapped around the test piece after flaring. Now, I keep several pieces of the cloth cut into very small pieces in the flare tool case for future projects. This Tool is heavy and solidly built. It is well worth the purchase price if you do your own mechanic work. I'm glad it's the first flare tool I bought. Based on other reviews and my own experience, it's a great tool for a great price.

I bought this tool with the intent to use it on commonly found brake line in auto parts stores . Typically the mild steel epoxy coated green lines we see . I used a non - coated 1/4 line and a coated 3/16 line for the test ( see video for results ) . The 1/4 line flared really well . The 3/16 line did fairly well and produced a useable flare . I dressed it some with the supplied reamer and a flat file . It would be as useable as some of the not so great flares I’ve done in the past that I used with success , regardless . Many of us have learned that flaring 3/16 line can be tricky and requires getting a feel with a flaring bar and anvil set . Although this tool is much easier to use , it will still require some practice as usual . I will say that after the first 3/16 line flare attempt it did really well , considering that a flaring bar and anvil set requires more practice to get aquatinted with . I believe that perhaps a lighter touch may be needed , maybe in the second step (F2 ) . I want to say that I am impressed with this tools performance and am sure that it will be my go to tool on my next emergency repair . Since it does 1/4 and 3/16 in one tool , that is reason to own this tool in itself . Simplicity is a second reason to own this tool . Others have said it does nickel / copper line better and steel line not so well . I want to say that I believe it did well on my first attempt with common store bought brake line of mild steel . I cannot say how it will perform on stainless steel line as I’ve not tried and don’t use stainless steel line . To anyone who seeks an easier tool for quick fixes in tight spots ( we’ve all been there ) , this tool will be the easiest , in my opinion . Once you’ve tried it and get good with it , you will see that it will be worth the purchase since most common brake line repair / replace is 3/16 and 1/4 . For that reason , and the price , I believe it will suffice a more expensive set that you probably won’t use most of those sizes anyway . Edit : 6/22/25 - having a high opinion of this tool , I reached out to Lisle . I asked if they possibly had metric ISO flare dies that will work / fit this tool for separate purchase . Unfortunately not . I do not know if metric / ISO bubble flares of similar design will fit / work but to accommodate this tool with such an upgrade would be great .

This is the brake line flaring tool I've been wanting all my life. It's simple, consistent, and durable. There's no clumsy fighting with getting it to hold together just right, everything fits precisely, operation is smooth, and results are always perfect. Just make sure the line is seated to the correct depth and clamped tightly, and pay attention to which side of the anvil you insert first (they are marked side 1 and 2). The fact that it can be held firmly and used in smaller confines makes it fantastic for on the vehicle repairs where a proper splice repair is much more practical than disassembling things in order to replace a whole section of line. It was excellent when I had to repair and alter a brake line on my Foxbody Mustang, and would have had to remove everything from the firewall in order to replace the original line. It was very convenient when repairing a rear brake line on an XJ Cherokee, being able to reach up next to the frame rail rather than pull and bend the lines. Definitely recommend this tool to anyone who needs to flare 3/16 and 1/4 lines, whether you are a mechanic or just a DIY person, this tool will work for you.

Easy to use and makes a good double flare, easier to use on a bench than under a vehicle but it can be done. Needed this for multiple projects and it's nice to have the perfect lengths when redoing brake lines. Beats the hell out of those legal compression fittings......never again.

Muy buena herramienta ya que puedes abocardar el tubo sin desmontar.

Works better than other models or designs. Recommend.

Excelente herramienta, antes usaba el típico avellanador con los adianto para hacer el doble avellanador, creía que salían aceptable pero con esta herramienta no hay fallo, cada avellanador que realizas saldrá perfecto. Tener en cuenta que solo sirve para tuberia 3/16 y 1/4.

This tool is very well built , grips the tubing properly without marring the tube. Be sure to follow the included instructions step by step and it will produce factory looking double flares. I used it on 1/4 inch Silver Zinc lines , which seem to be a harder alloy than some other tubing that I have. Be sure to tighten the tubing hold down bolts in stages and very tight, the use the supplied flare adaptor as instructed.