Tube flaring bit - GIF

Tube flaring bit.

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Previously:

https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...852#post152509
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...688#post163172
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...198#post149888
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...697#post147846

I think I will be making this! Thanks.

I looked at a set of them last year, pricey. Seems easy enough to make from tool steel and then harden. Also saw a youtube video of a HVAC tech that drilled a hole in the side of a suction manifold, and used this tool to make a raised surface, in this case he was installing a thermostatic expansion valve reference pressure tube, on a large system. This produced a stronger hole to braze the tube into.

I wonder if this would work on EMT electrical conduit. I will be making one of these as well.

In the video it appears that the pipe is handheld while being flared. I wonder if that is true? Seems as if the tool would generate a fierce torque on the tube.

That's a swage not a flare.
Attachment 36430

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Originally Posted by mlochala

I wonder if this would work on EMT electrical conduit. I will be making one of these as well.

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I don't think so, as you need a soft drawn copper for this to work, i.e. it will not work in hard drawn copper. In steel, it will spin and make heat. The other issue is the EMT connectors provide ground bonding between pieces, if you were to swage them, you would have to braze the pieces, and the zinc oxide that is part of the galvanized plating is not good to breath in.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by metric_taper

I don't think so, as you need a soft drawn copper for this to work, i.e. it will not work in hard drawn copper. In steel, it will spin and make heat. The other issue is the EMT connectors provide ground bonding between pieces, if you were to swage them, you would have to braze the pieces, and the zinc oxide that is part of the galvanized plating is not good to breath in.

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Aside from original use of emt, simple socket joints would have no end of usefulness in emt.

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Originally Posted by suther51

Aside from original use of emt, simple socket joints would have no end of usefulness in emt.

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I did not articulate that very well, but that was my point. I can't think of a non electrical use where swaging the pieces together would be of value, but mlochala may have some application.

I have the old style swaging tool where you use your flaring block to hold the copper tube, then wack the swage tool with a hammer. The benefit of this tool is it appears to burnish the copper. Where I've seen them used is on youtube videos where the HVAC tech is replacing compressors or filter dryers, and fitting in the tubing stubs to the existing system without using couplings.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by metric_taper

I don't think so, as you need a soft drawn copper for this to work, i.e. it will not work in hard drawn copper. In steel, it will spin and make heat. The other issue is the EMT connectors provide ground bonding between pieces, if you were to swage them, you would have to braze the pieces, and the zinc oxide that is part of the galvanized plating is not good to breath in.

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You can soften hard drawn copper by heating it up red hot and cooling it in water. I do it quite often when I am running pipes in weird places.

If you are thinking of making this all you need for size is a female copper connector. That will give you the O.D. that will work best. A tight O.D. measurement of a piece of copper pie will end up biting you in the ass later.

It doesn't have to be anything exotic. A decent grade bolt is way more than you will ever need to hold up in soft copper.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mklotz

In the video it appears that the pipe is handheld while being flared. I wonder if that is true? Seems as if the tool would generate a fierce torque on the tube.

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Here's a guy making one, with a good dose of questionable handheld work:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUbOWGOUTKo

Anyone ever try tying flies "held in hand"? It's much more challenging without a vise; somewhat of a dying art among old fly fishermen. This reminds me of that. But instead of a dying art, just dangerous.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mwmkravchenko

You can soften hard drawn copper by heating it up red hot and cooling it in water. I do it quite often when I am running pipes in weird places.

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You can also soften hard drawn copper by heating it up red hot and just letting it air cool.

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Originally Posted by katy

You can also soften hard drawn copper by heating it up red hot and just letting it air cool.

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Yep. I have done that in a pinch when I have all the house water off during a renovation. You make a bit of a mess when you burn off all the varnish or whatever the coating on the copper is. But it is indeed soft. Lets you do some interesting bends when you are in weird to work in areas.

I looked at the video above. He is missing the round part near the end of the swaging tool to keep everything concentric. The swage has to be pretty near the diameter of a 5/8ths inch bolt.

I rarely use EMT for its intended purpose. However, I use it a LOT to make other lightweight things such as outdoor gear or miscellaneous tools. I was just thinking this would be really handy if it could be used to make swage ends for making a take down hunting blind or simple framework for other things.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mlochala

I rarely use EMT for its intended purpose. However, I use it a LOT to make other lightweight things such as outdoor gear or miscellaneous tools. I was just thinking this would be really handy if it could be used to make swage ends for making a take down hunting blind or simple framework for other things.

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You may be able to swage EMT if you heat it red hot first.

FWIW, IIRC some EMT has a bit of a seam on the inside.