Brake Pipes - Making your own

[blues3]

Presumably I can make my own replacement copper brake pipes, is there a kit? If memory serves a brake flaring tool is needed.

[Gerald-TVR]

Look at page 218 http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1p6l2/CarBuilderS...

[tvrgit]

Gerald-TVR said:

Look at page 218 http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1p6l2/CarBuilderS...

Yep I bought a kit just like that years ago, it's saved me a fortune, not just in the cost of brake pipes, but also in time and hassle. I've used it on a range of cars including the TVR, Nissan 200sx, Nissan Almera, Metro, Ford Granada, and others I can't even remember.

Brake pipe siezed into caliper / cylinder? No more trying to extract it intact - cut the bd off and make a new one! No trailing off to the motor factors with the old bits to get a new one made up the same.

As long as you follow the instructions carefully the first few times, and are careful when making sharp bends in the pipe, it's a dawdle. Just make sure that the joint isn't leaking under pressure when you've made it (none of mine ever have but you should always check).

[phillpot]

refering to that link, I "aquired" the expensive one many years ago, a cracking bit of kit but the cheaper one looks handy and has the advantage can be used on the car.

Be very wary of some of the cheap stuff on ebay, they are not good (IMHO).


A personal choice but i prefer "Cunifer" (a copper and nickel alloy) rather than pure copper. more resistant to corrosion from road salt and looks more "original".
Not a fan of all that polished copper under the bonnet, leave that to Vintage cars and public toilets

Edited by phillpot on Monday 8th November 12:47

[Barkychoc]

Not sure what the links are above (Posting from my phone) but I have a pipe flarer that cost £100 or so.
It is brilliant and really easy and fast to use.
If you want an option I'd be happy to make new pipes up for you if you send me the old ones. I made my new ones out of copper which is what the old ones
were - they just looked darker due to age or whatever makes them go dark.

[tvrgit]

Phillpot - good shout on the "cunifer" pipes - agree they are much better.

[chiefyo]

Another vote for cunifer pipe it lasts better and is easier to work than copper. Also recommended would be a small brake pipe bender they are relatively cheap and allow you to achieve a more professional finish. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Release-Pipe-Bending-Too... Also if new to brake pipe making watch out for metric and imperial fittings they are sometimes close enough to allow for wrong threaded items to be used, and also be aware that there are single and double flares used depending on what the pipe mates to, copy the one that you take off and you can't go wrong.

[TonupS2]

The calipers are metric and the original 'T' pieces etc. are imperial. Chris (Barkychoc) recommended that I change the 'T's etc. to Metric. Good call they are not expensive.