Tool for beading Fuel lines?

[donpearsall]

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

[Joe Timney]

Try this web site : http://www.earls.co.uk/earls/accessories/tools/beadingtools.html

[Ron Gibson]

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

[754]

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.

[floydjer]

Than there`s this

[754]

That will do it!...great tool..

[donpearsall]

Floyd, that is a nice tool. Is that something you made?

[floydjer]

No it isn`t, found the pic. somewhere. :cheers:Jerry

[javajoe79]

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.

[Rex Schimmer]

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

[Utahfab]

How about this?

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/ezbeader.php

[desotoman]

Here is another tool. Different sizes soon to be available.

Tom G.


http://www.tubebeadingtool.com/tool_options.htm

[Kato Engineering]

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.