Tube Flaring

BMK

BMK

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Jan 30, 2011
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I was attracted to flared tubing because it's simple and unlike pins - has shear and tension strength. In my (not always) humble opinion, it is superior to straight tubing. So I tried my hand at tube flaring this morning with the dies from USA Knife Maker http://www.usaknifemaker.com/tube-flaring-dies-for-fastening-handles-p-2969.html

The dies are easy to use if you experiment with their formula for tube length and countersink diameter. I wanted the flare to be below the finished surface. The third try (upper right in last pic) was a charm using the following formula:

1. cut thin walled stainless tube and square off ends to equal material thickness

2. countersink 1/4" tube hole to .4 diameter

3. flare tubing

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Yes, it's so simple a monkey (like me) can do it!

Have a great Independence Day!
 
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Sounds Greek to me - idk. Flaring dies are cone shaped. I am surprised more lanyard tubes are not flared. Chamfering still leaves two very definitive 45 degree edges and has less strength in tension than flaring. Also, the flaring is less likely to cut or fray a lanyard because there are no sharp edges.
Mooseyard said:
Are they a single layer flayer or did you roll them over like brake lines
Click to expand...
 
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The flares look nice. Thanks for sharing. What was holding dies when you squished them together? I'm assuming you did a slow squeeze rather than using a hammer. I've successfully flared several tubes this summer, but they don't look near a s nice as yours. I'm surprised with how much you counter sunk the hole, from .25" up to .4". I have to re-think what I'm doing a experiment some more.

- Paul Meske, Wisconsin
 
Thanks for sharing the information BMK. It is appreciated. I would like to try some tube flaring also and was wondering what type of equipment might be available. Looks like you have it down now. Thanks. Mike
 
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