Flare Fittings

Servicewiz_2

When flaring soft copper should you ream the pipe first? It has been my experience that when you ream the tubing , it gives you a rougher outer edge to the flare. Any help is greatly appreciated!
Servicewiz

Empire_2

Yup

They have a nice reamer on the market that eliminates the rough surface you are talking about. Using the wedge on your cutter just don't give you the finish you want. I think plumbing supply house carry these.

Mike T.

Techman

Flare

Evening All!Also,try your friendly refrigeration supply house .Enjoy!

bob_46

Wiz

you might try a burnishing flaring tool. Parker-Hannifin(sp) makes a humdinger,Ridgid also.

Empire_2

Yea Ridgid...

That's the one I have. It's quick and evenly de-burs the pipe. I will never go back to any other tool.

Mike T.

Big Ed

File then Ream

After using a tubing cutter the end tends to taper in.You should file it down flat then ream.Dont take much filing,I use the file on my Leatherman since its always handy.....

Gene_3

one of my cutters

has a nice file on it, also if you go easy when cutting you'll find less of a ridge to ream or file, it only takes a few more seconds to slow down on the cut but can take a minute or more to clean it.

Pete Groenewold_2

I also have found that over-reaming soft copper will give you leaky flare joints. I have had good results using a pencil-type reamer (http://www.wheelerrex.com/images/p_images_largerview/tube_tools/920_Deburring_Tool.jpg) to lightly de-burr the cut end of the tube. Don't overdo it! A couple of revolutions should be plenty.

Ditto on the Ridgid burnishing flaring tool. I've tried many others over the years, and I'm sold on this one.