Technical Foundation
What Is a Flaring & Swaging Tool?
A flaring tool forms a cone-shaped end on a tube so it can be captured by a flare nut and fitting, creating a metal-to-metal seal without solder or a separate gasket — 45-degree flares (SAE J512) are standard for refrigeration and automotive brake/fuel lines, while 37-degree flares (SAE J514/JIC) are standard for hydraulic tubing. A swaging tool instead expands the tube end itself to a slightly larger diameter, so a second, unflared tube can be inserted and soldered or brazed into a lap joint — common in refrigeration and plumbing where a flared connection isn't specified.
Single flares are formed in one step and are adequate for softer tubing like copper refrigeration line; double flares fold the tube end back on itself for a thicker, more crack-resistant flare face, and are required on SAE automotive brake and fuel lines where vibration and pressure cycling would fatigue a single flare. Tool clamp bar size must match the tube's outer diameter range, and flare cone angle must match the fitting standard — a 45-degree flare will not seal against a 37-degree JIC fitting.
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| Spec | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Flare Angle | 45° (SAE J512) vs. 37° (SAE J514/JIC) | Must match the mating fitting standard — angles are not interchangeable |
| Flare Type | Single flare vs. double flare | Double flares resist cracking under vibration/pressure cycling; required on many brake/fuel applications |
| Tube Size Range | Typically 3/16in to 3/4in / 4mm to 22mm | Clamp bar and die set must cover the specific tubing OD being worked |
| Drive Style | Manual (screw/lever), hydraulic, pneumatic | Hydraulic/pneumatic drive speeds production runs on larger or harder tubing |
| Tube Material Compatibility | Copper, aluminum, steel, stainless | Harder tube materials require higher clamping force and may need swaging over flaring |
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Applications
Where Flaring & Swaging Tools Get Used
Flaring and swaging tools are specified anywhere a leak-tight tube connection needs to be formed mechanically without welding or a compression fitting.
HVAC & Refrigeration Installation
Forming 45-degree flares on copper refrigerant lines for leak-tight flare fitting connections.
Automotive Brake & Fuel Line Repair
Double-flaring steel brake and fuel lines to meet OEM vibration and pressure-cycling requirements.
Hydraulic Systems Fabrication
37-degree JIC flares formed on hydraulic tubing for high-pressure fluid power connections.
Plumbing & Piping Installation
Swaging copper tube ends to create solder-free lap joints in water and gas line installation.
Aerospace & Fluid System Assembly
Precision flaring of tubing in fuel, hydraulic and pneumatic lines to aerospace fitting standards.
Fleet & Mobile Equipment Maintenance
Field repair of hydraulic and brake lines using portable flaring kits without replacing entire tube runs.
FAQ
Flaring & Swaging Tools Questions, Answered
What's the difference between a 45-degree and 37-degree flare?
45-degree flares (SAE J512) are the standard for refrigeration, automotive brake and fuel line fittings. 37-degree flares (SAE J514, also called JIC) are the standard for hydraulic tubing fittings. The two angles are not interchangeable — a 45-degree flare will leak against a 37-degree fitting seat.
When is a double flare required instead of a single flare?
Double flares are required on applications with high vibration or pressure cycling, most notably automotive brake and fuel lines, because folding the tube end back on itself creates a thicker, more crack-resistant sealing face. Refrigeration lines are commonly single-flared since they see less vibration.
What's the difference between flaring and swaging?
Flaring forms a cone shape on the tube end that a flare nut clamps against a fitting. Swaging expands the tube's own end diameter so a second, unflared tube section can be inserted and soldered or brazed in, creating a lap joint without any separate fitting.
Can the same tool do both flaring and swaging?
Some kits include interchangeable dies or adapters that let one clamp base perform both operations, but the forming heads themselves are different — verify a kit explicitly includes swaging dies/adapters rather than assuming a flaring tool covers both.
How do I match a flaring tool to my tubing size?
Check the tool's clamp bar and die set range against the tube's actual outer diameter, and confirm the tube material (copper, aluminum, steel) is within the tool's rated capacity — harder materials like steel require more clamping force and a tool rated for it.
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