cheap or home made flaring die for thong tubing

[Vulcanite]

USA knife has this:

But they want $45 for it. Is there anything else a guy could use to do this with?

Hmm, course that is a set of two b/c you have to do both at the same time in a press, like kydex rivets...

Anyone know of any alternatives I might could use, using my drill press as a press? Thx

 

[12345678910]

Cut the heads off of two countersink head screws, put them in the holes and in a vise


Make your own.
Steel in a hand drill, run against a grinding wheel, or belt till you get that taper
Finish with abrasive paper


Something like that, it doesn't have to be difficult.

 

[Rick Lowe]

Look at Lowe's, Home Depot, etc. and find the tube flare kit they sell. I think it runs around $15. Works the same way as the tool shown. I have one and use it with no problem.

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

I'm not sure using your drill press for a press would be good for the bearings. It might be okay for thin wall brass, but something more stout wouldn't be a good idea.

$45 is a little rich I think...


Something to be aware of using the tool from lowes is that it is probably for 45 deg flare, so you'd want a 90 deg countersink. Most countersinks in this contry are 82 deg, but you can get 90 deg for metric fasteners.

 

[james terrio]

Anyone know of any alternatives I might could use, using my drill press as a press? Thx

Drill presses are for drilling. You will eventually regret using one for anything else. I think I'd use a bench vise for that.

Something to be aware of using the tool from lowes is that it is probably for 45 deg flare, so you'd want a 90 deg countersink. Most countersinks in this country are 82 deg, but you can get 90 deg for metric fasteners.

Good point, thanks

 

[Vulcanite]

For now, I'll just get a couple Grade 8 flat head socket cap screws, lop off the shank and squeeze both ends of the tubing b/t the two fasteners in the bench vise jaws. Thanks for that.

Right now I am not worries about how pretty it looks.

 

[Vulcanite]

didn't know pressing stuff w/ a drill press is bad...

I was planning on using it for brass 3/16" kydex eyelets? I know I can get that press thing from Harbor freight for like 100 buck but I did't want to if I could help it...

Maybe I should just use chicago screws in stead of eyelets...

 

[aarongb]

I think what you want is an eyelet setter and anvil. You can find them for less than $10, usaknife, jantz, tandy, maybe even a local hardware store. Use a wooden mallet instead of a press.