Review on OTC 6502 Master Brake Flaring by Steve Yang

Bought this six months ago to replace the brake lines on my old truck without taking it to a mechanic. After several attempts at using this kit to flare 3/16" steel brake lines, I've come to the conclusion that this is an awfully cheap imitation of a professional tool. First, OTC obviously saved some money on the materials. Make those Clamps so short that they are difficult to hold in a vise using a small 1" piece of steel hanging from the end. Another inch or two and it will be much easier to use. Keep the hose from going through the vise slips you have to squeeze it hard enough to cause it to expand and deburr the hose. By comparison I noticed that the expansion lines that came loose from my truck didn't have any markings like that but well you just need the burrs sanding down to keep the flare nut from dangling, which isn't a big deal.The tip of the tool wobbles excessively because the only thing keeping it straight is the bolt.Tei l the badly threaded shaft. As you begin to form the flares, the tip wobble will cause the flares to form so far from the center that they will not seal well and leakage will occur. Fourth, after the flare is complete and the pipe is pulled out of the clamps, there is a huge burr on the outer flare because the clamp halves are not well aligned and do not form a perfect circle. Fifth, the pipe cutter is so blunt that it takes forever to cut steel pipe. The blade feels a bit like a butter knife. Harbor Freight's $10 pipe cutter works around the one this kit comes with. I'm not even sure why they include it, OTC would be better if I did the rest of the kit better. Make it work. It appears that the misalignment of the inner flare combined with the ridges and angles on the outer flare renders this tool fundamentally incapable of producing good flares. This tool is the case when "you get what you pay for". I would never trust my brakes or my life to the horrible work of this tool. Not recommended to anyone no matter how cheap it is.