ROLO-FLAIR TOOL AND SOME BOELUBE
I have stated many times that I am a strong believer in having the right tools for the job. This post continues that thread. The tools I am referencing here are the Parker Rolo-Flair tool and a good lubricant I use – Boelube. I was able to borrow the Rolo-Flair tool, which is great, but I picked up the Boelube from Cleaveland Tool at Oshkosh this summer.
The Rolo-Flair is important because aviation tubing flares are standard at 37 degrees while automotive is 45 degrees (think brake lines). If you choose this methodology, then make sure you have the proper angled tool. Next, I used Boelube to lubricate the metal being flared to prevent cracking or any added stresses on the material. This is also important. I actually use Boelube on a lot of cutting and drilling tools as well. It does help promote tool life and accuracy. I especially like using this on my band saw blades. Enough on Boelube – it’s up to you, but when flaring use something to protect the metal.
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
I made no assumptions on my skill set with tube flaring. Therefore, I cut a small section of aluminum tubing that matched the GAP 26 diameter and wall thickness exactly. From there, I added the lubrication and used the Rolo-Flair tool on the piece to see how it worked.
Overall, I was incredibly happy with choosing to practice. It turned out great and gave me the confidence to proceed with flaring the GAP 26 tubes.
TIME TO GET DOWN TO BUSINESS
Now, the results. Here are the final images of how the tube flaring came out.
It took me some time to get down to actually making this connection, but I am glad that I was patient and practiced first. I am incredibly happy with the connection and the results. Finally, I had some time left in my day and really didn’t want to leave the hangar just yet so I moved on to dimpling some wing skins.
