Eccentric Flaring Tool Kit for HVAC jobs

Make a clean 45° flare when installing or repairing copper pipe on an air conditioning or refrigeration system. This eccentric flaring tool kit comes in a plastic case with a tube cutter and deburring tools, so you can prepare the pipe and form the flare with one kit.

What does “eccentric” mean?

Eccentric describes the off-centre flaring cone. As you turn the tool, the cone rolls around the inside edge of the tube and gradually forms the flare. This helps produce a smooth, even face for a 45° flare fitting. It does not mean the finished flare should be off-centre.

When would you use this flaring tool?

• Making the flare connections on copper pipe for a split air conditioning installation.
• Cutting a replacement length of refrigerant pipe to size and forming a new end.
• Remaking a damaged or uneven flare after cutting back to sound pipe.
• Preparing a copper tube connection during refrigeration repair or installation.
• Making a 45° flare for another suitable tube and fitting, including some heating or plumbing work.

A useful detail: slide the correct flare nut onto the tube before making the flare. Once the end has been formed, the nut cannot be fitted from that end. Match the tube’s outside diameter to the marked clamp size; close metric and imperial sizes should not be treated as interchangeable.

Imperial and metric tube sizes

• Imperial: 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8" and 3/4" outside diameter.
• Metric: 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, 16 mm and 19 mm outside diameter.

The kit covers both size systems, which is useful when working across different equipment and replacement pipe. Check the pipe marking and fitting specification before choosing a clamp hole.

What is included?

• AB800: 45° eccentric cone flaring tool.
• CT274: tube cutter for the stated 1/8" to 1-1/8" (4–28 mm) range.
• BT208: inner and outer tube reamer for the stated 3/16" to 1-1/2" range.
• Additional deburring tool and plastic storage case.

How to make a good flare

1. Cut the tube squarely. Remove burrs and keep metal filings out of the pipe.
2. Put the correct flare nut on the tube, then clamp the tube in the matching size hole.
3. Set the tube end approximately level with the top of the clamp bar. Align the tool’s red mark and secure the assembly.
4. Turn the cone to form the flare, then back it away before removing the tube.
5. Check that the flare is round and that its inner face is smooth, with no cracks or deep marks.

Use the pipe position, flare dimensions and tightening torque specified for the equipment you are working on. This tool makes a 45° single flare; check the fitting specification if your job calls for a different flare angle or a double flare.