Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine May 2022

HVACR NewsMagazine May 2022

Tech News

SPIN flaring tools

A rather innovative product is the SPIN flaring tool that attaches to a drill. You basically insert the bit into the copper and run your drill. The friction against the side of the copper will create heat,

which anneals the copper (making it more ductile or “soft”). With the copper softened, the spinning action can create a flare, though not at a perfect angle. However, SPIN claims that the annealed copper is so soft that the flare nut can set the angle right; we’ve tried this method many times and have gotten consistently good flares. When using the SPIN flaring tool, be sure to wear gloves. The annealing process makes copper hot to the touch, so you’ll want to protect your hands.

NAVAC has an excellent cordless flaring tool, the NEF6LM. Many of us at Kalos use it to make flares for ductless units, and it makes the job so much easier. You can also put a dab of mineral oil or assembly lubricant (like Refrigeration Technologies Nylog) on the cone of the cordless flaring tool to get a smooth, round, burnished flare. Once you’ve made your flare, check to see how the flare nut fits over it. You should be able to see the inside of the flare, and the nut shouldn’t get its threads caught on the flare’s edge. Before assembling the connection, touch the flare to the mating surface and see how it fits. If you rotate the flare slowly as it touches the surface, you shouldn’t feel any major bumps or irregularities. Once you’re sure that you’ll get a solid connection, you can add just a drop of non-hardening thread sealant to the threads and mating surface to get a nice, tight connection. Be careful not to over-lubricate the threads, as you may put yourself at risk of overtightening the flare nut when you tighten it down with a torque wrench. Putting a dab of oil between the nut and flare cone also helps Assembling the flared connection

Cordless flaring tools

Some people may call this last method “cheating,” but there are battery-powered flaring tools that allow you to insert the copper, press a button, and then wait a few seconds for the perfect

flare. These tools typically come with depth stoppers and control the torque, so you pretty much just have to press a button and watch the magic happen.