How to properly flare a copper air conditioner tube

Do-it-yourself rolling for copper pipes: tips from the experts

Often when installing air conditioners or installing plumbing, it is necessary to roll copper pipes. This is a deformation of the tubes that is carried out for a specific purpose. Any direction can be created.

This activity is carried out in production using a special tool called rollers. And if there is such a need, then you can carry out flaring at home yourself. But in this case, everything must be done carefully in order to bend the tube, but not to violate its integrity, otherwise deformation will occur or a crack will appear.

Rolling of copper pipes: a, b, c - rolling defects (chips, cracks, uneven edges).

Why is flaring necessary?

Today there is a very large selection of different types of copper pipes, as well as the elements that are necessary to connect them. Therefore, you can easily select the desired profile or fittings. But there are times when rolling a tube with your own hands is simply necessary. It cannot be replaced if: • Equipment of the required shape is not produced in production. • Fittings are commercially available, but are not currently available for purchase.

• The product must be precisely adjusted.

Rolling tools

Of course, to properly flare a pipe with your own hands, you need to have a special tool. But simple equipment can be made from materials. This is a template shaped like a cone; it is inserted into the tube and it is turned until the desired result is obtained.

Devices for flaring copper pipes

Such equipment has its disadvantages: • It is impossible to control the accuracy of the fit. • The walls of copper tubes may change their shape.

Therefore, rolling yourself is not a reliable way to carry out the processing. It can be used rarely, for example, in one specific case. Since it is still not entirely applicable for fastening in the water supply system, installing air conditioning or refrigeration units.

Scheme of correct pipe flaring

And to get the job done right, you need to find more reliable tools. At home, rolling in the form of a cone is suitable for use. It is equipped with clamps in order to put on copper tubes of any size.

But the result obtained is not entirely good.
A special set for rolling tubes includes equipment with a safety ratchet. And the most important tool included in this set is the flaring tool.

It is specifically designed to work with copper tubing.

Pipe flaring kit

The choice of tools for making more copper products is very wide.
It may include the following combinations: • Mechanical flaring machine.

copper tube flarer

• Electric flaring machine.

copper tube flaring tool

• Set for rolling copper tubes, which also has expanders, pipe cutters and wrenches for work.

Copper tube rolling kit

It is better to buy such a set when you are going to constantly perform such installation work, for example, for your own income. And if you only need to perform expansion once, then the simplest set for universal work, which contains a regular flaring machine, is also suitable.

Flaring stages

To obtain a reliable connection for a pipeline made of copper tubes, it is necessary to correctly roll the structure.
And if you decide to flare the pipes yourself, then you need to follow these steps to do everything correctly: 1.

First you need to clean the end of the pipe. 2. Then you put a specially selected coupling on the stripped part. 3. The pipe must be inserted into the flaring machine, then rotate it until a small edge of forty-five degrees is obtained. 4. Then carefully remove the completed product.

5. And use a coupling to secure two sections of the ends of the pipe.

Of course, not only such fittings can be connecting parts. With the help of a professional flaring machine, you can prepare pipes for soldering fastening. The methods are basically similar. They involve deliberate deformation of the pipe to a certain size.

Example of flaring copper pipes

If you are going to install an air conditioner, then in this case the most important task will be the rolling of copper tubes. Because the tightness of the freon circuit will largely depend on the work performed. Since there shouldn't be any leakage. Otherwise, there is no point in operating the air conditioner. Therefore, there should be no doubts.

Let us examine in more detail all the important points of this work. For example, you need to flare a pipe that has a diameter of 3/8 inch. First select the necessary tools for the job:

pipe cutter for copper pipes rimmer for copper pipes

•  definitely a flarer.

copper pipe flaring machine

Then take the pipe and cut it to the required size using a pipe cutter.

cut with a pipe cutter

If you look, after cutting you will see how the cross-section has changed under the influence of the pipe cutter. It became smaller by about 0.56 cm.

DIY pipe rolling

If you immediately flare without preparation, you will end up with a side, but it is not needed. This means that after trimming it is necessary to carry out processing: the chamfer is cut using a rimmer. After this action, flare the part again. The edge will disappear and the surface should become smooth.

remove the resulting side

The resulting skirt should become wider, but so that you can put on a ¼ nut. After these actions, it becomes clear that the pipe must be removed from the flaring machine with the edge that was processed .

treatment

And the last stage of work will be joining the received parts. The copper tube, which has been flared, must be attached to the fitting and the nut must be tightened. But everything must be determined in such a way that you can tighten the nut ninety percent by hand, and the remaining ten using a special wrench.

pipe flaring after trimming

If the nut is tight, unscrew everything again and try again. Otherwise, your structure will not be airtight. And then, during commissioning, the air conditioner, liquid or gas will leak. And in some cases it can completely break the thread. And all the work will go down the drain. Then you will have to start all over again, so it is better to check everything right away and connect the parts correctly.

The photo shows an example of how it can turn out and how it should be

Source: https://o-trubah.com/materialy/mednye-truby/valcovka-dlya-mednyx-trub/

Tools and devices for flaring copper tubes at home - Machine

When installing copper piping systems, it is often necessary to expand the cut end of the pipe - for installing climate control systems or soldering heating and water supply pipelines.

I greet our dear reader and offer an article about what flaring of copper tubes is, in what situations it is used and how to do it yourself.

What is it and why is flaring necessary?

Flaring is a radial uniform expansion of the walls of a copper pipe. When flaring, a conical expansion of only the end of the pipe or expansion of a sufficiently long section can be carried out, in which a sleeve is formed - a section of larger diameter.

The need for such deformation at home arises:

• When installing air conditioning systems.
• When repairing refrigerators, heat exchangers, cars, household appliances, heat pumps.
• When installing heating and water supply systems.

When installing using welding (soldering), the ends of copper pipes are flared in the form of a coupling, inserted into a pipe of the original diameter and welded. Flaring is used less frequently than soldering with fittings, as this method is slightly less reliable, but sometimes fittings may be in short supply or not available for repair work.

The need for flaring arises if the necessary fittings are not at hand, it is not possible to purchase a copper tube of the required diameter, or a very precise adjustment of the size of the tube along the internal section is required. In practice, flaring is used when installing climate control equipment, in cars, and during urgent repair work, when copper tubes available on the farm are used.

The essence of the process

When flaring a copper tube, gradual plastic deformation of the copper billet occurs. The resulting socket is riveted and acquires greater strength compared to the original material, but less ductility. With sufficiently slow and gradual stretching, the copper walls do not tear or wrinkle.

Ways to increase pipe diameter

Copper is very malleable, and if you only need to flare a few pieces, you can try stretching the ends using a suitable cone, pulling the copper blank over it by hand. This method requires force and does not guarantee a good quality socket.

The best results are obtained by mechanical devices for flaring - expanders and mechanical flaring machines. If you are installing copper pipe systems or climate control equipment, you can purchase an electric flaring machine.

Tools and accessories for rolling

For high-quality expansion of pipe ends, a special tool is used - mechanical or electrically driven. The use of cones or templates and manual expansion are used only for manual rolling of single pipes. If you have to install a heating system or plumbing, it makes sense to purchase a mechanical flaring machine.

Expander

An expander is a simple rolling machine with several template attachments for processing pipes of different sizes.

It stretches the ends of the tubes quite quickly, the force is applied using a lever, and flaring does not require much physical effort.

The quality of flared products is not ideal - most likely, the deformation will be non-uniform, thinner sections of the walls will stretch, and the bell will have different thicknesses. Cracks and tears may occur.

Cone flaring machine

• The cone tool is one of the simplest, providing an acceptable quality copper flare, but worse than other types of mechanical flaring tools.
• The pipe is fixed in a vice, the cone is pressed into the workpiece several times, each time to a greater depth, then removed - and so on until a bell of the required size is obtained.
• This device is used quite often because of its cheapness and simplicity.

Mechanical flaring machine

The best quality of rolling is ensured by a flaring machine in which the pipe is processed using several rollers made of alloyed tool steels. The tool is equipped with a set of rollers for several pipe diameters.

The rollers are repeatedly rolled with a certain pressure along the inner surface of the workpiece, gradually deforming it radially.

For each movement, the size of the workpiece changes slightly, the rolling process stretches both thick and thin sections, the surface quality is smooth, without roughness or cracks, the thickness of the walls of the socket is the same.

Electric flaring machine

A professional electric flaring tool is also available. These are the most expensive models with high performance.

The operating principle is as follows: the copper bell is rolled out in several passes using strong rollers. In Russia, flarers of Italian, German, and British brands are most often found.

The quality of products processed by power tools is excellent, but such a tool only pays off with constant use.

Stationary flaring machines are also used in industrial settings, but this equipment is definitely not suitable for use at home.

Tips for choosing a tool

Before purchasing devices, it is worth assessing the need for such a step. Branded professional tools are very expensive and only pay off if you are professionally involved in the installation of climate control or refrigeration equipment or copper heating systems.

To install heating and water supply systems in the house, it is worth purchasing a budget mechanical model. It is worth considering the option of renting or from friends. Mechanical models provide good quality processing of workpieces - the thickness of the walls of the socket is the same, without cracks or tears, with a smooth surface.

In any case, you should buy the tool in specialized stores or construction supermarkets, with a receipt and an issued passport, with a guarantee and a performance check by the seller.

Recommendations for performing flaring at home

With any processing method, it is necessary to strive to obtain a smooth mirror surface of the bell without grooves, dents, tears and distortions, and different wall thicknesses. The tightness of the connections subsequently depends on the quality of flaring.

It is advisable to carry out flaring using a special tool - this ensures at least acceptable quality of the products. Uneven stretching of the wall and cracks may in the future provoke the occurrence of ruptures, and, as a result, a violation of the tightness of copper pipelines. A leak of water or freon from the air conditioning system can cause a lot of trouble.

How to make a tool

If you need to flare just one copper tube, you can clamp it in a vice and carefully screw in a cone of the appropriate diameter. The cone mandrel will have to be turned or ordered from a turner. Sometimes a bearing ball welded to a rod is used.

If you need several tubes, and buying a tool is not part of your plans, you can make a simple device with your own hands. You will need two pieces of corner 32x32 or 49x40 mm. You can use sections of profile pipe. The corners are fastened together with bolts (M8) and nuts.

Several holes are drilled in the center of the structure for different diameters of the processed tubes. The holes are chamfered. Mandrels (cones, dies) are turned on a lathe (ordered from a turner) in accordance with the dimensions shown in the figure.

It is better to use structural carbon or alloy steel; regular St.3 is too soft.

How to flare a copper tube

The workpiece is clamped in the manufactured fixture. The end of the workpiece should protrude 5-6 mm above the level of the holder. Then a conical mandrel stamp is carefully and slowly screwed into the tube, the edge of the tube expands and forms a socket.

Then the punch is pulled out, the shape and dimensions of the socket are checked, and, if necessary, the expansion parameters are corrected using a cone.

Conclusion

I wish good luck to the dear reader in his endless work of arranging his own home. Let this article add another grain of useful knowledge and skills to the reader on the issue of installing copper engineering systems. Subscribe to the newsletter of articles on the site, share useful information with friends on social networks.

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Source: https://regionvtormet.ru/stanki-i-oborudovanie/instrumenty-i-prisposobleniya-dlya-razvaltsovki-mednyh-trubok-v-domashnih-usloviyah.html

Soldering copper pipes for air conditioners

To connect air conditioner pipes in apartments or offices, rolling is most often used. This method is simple, accessible and safe for equipment. But sometimes it is necessary to solder the air conditioner pipes.

If you have basic technical knowledge, you can replace or resolder the copper pipe in the air conditioner yourself. Pipes are not included with the device - they are purchased at hardware stores.

A copper pipe with silver impurities that can withstand temperature changes that occur during the operation of climate control systems and is not subject to corrosion is suitable. Pipe materials can withstand high pressure and do not deform.

The chemical composition allows the surface layer to be preserved for a long time, which allows the system to operate without the need for repairs.

Materials and equipment

The diameter of the pipe is selected based on the power of the device - the more powerful, the larger the diameter. The cost of a pipe is influenced by its technical characteristics, manufacturer’s brand, and metal characteristics. You should not save on pipes, since the service life and quality of operation of the split system depend on this.

Soldering air conditioner pipes begins with the selection of the necessary tools and materials:

1. Pipe cutter This tool will allow you to thoroughly prepare the end of the part that will be connected using solder.
2. Pipe bender To avoid creases and poor maneuverability, you need to use a special tool so that the diameter does not change, and at the same time the pipe can be bent at an angle.
3. Metal soldering iron, gas burner.
4. Solder for soldering copper air conditioner pipes.

The cleanliness of the surfaces has a greater impact on the strength and tightness of soldering. But the type of solder needs to be chosen correctly. Soldering is carried out with hard or soft solder.

The pipe bender allows you to avoid creases while maintaining the pipe diameter

Solders are divided into:

• copper-phosphorus;
• silver

To solder an aluminum air conditioner tube, two types of solder are used at once. For copper tubes, it is better to choose solder with silver ions rather than phosphorus. This is due to the fragility of the phosphorus substance if the alloy contains more than 10% nickel.

If the hard solder contains cadmium, you need to take care of your health, as the fumes poison the body.

For a high-quality connection of the tubes, a combustible mixture is selected. Check when turned on:

1. If the torch is of medium size and uniform blue color, this means that the gas-oxygen mixture is well balanced in composition. The metal will heat up evenly.
2. The pale blue color of the torch indicates that there is more oxygen in the mixture. This will oxidize the metal and leave a dark coating on it.

When flaring the outer tube, maintain the required gap into which the solder will flow. In the absence of this, the connection of the tubes will not be tight, and the freon will leak out under pressure in a matter of minutes.

How copper tubes are soldered - process and rules

Before connecting, the air conditioner tube must be cleaned with sandpaper or a wire brush. Residues of grease, earth, and paint impair the adhesion of solder and metal.

Soldering of air conditioner pipes is carried out with the flame of a gas burner. With an optimal gas mixture, the flame simultaneously cleans and heats the surfaces of the tubes, preparing them for connection.

To connect air conditioner tubes by soldering, you need to insert one tube into the other for a length equal to or greater than the diameter of the tubes. The gap ranges from 0.025 cm to 0.125 cm.

The tubes are heated evenly with a burner. In order for solder to penetrate into the gap, the internal and external temperatures must be the same. In this case, not only the place of the intended welding is captured, but also a little further - 7 centimeters in each direction.

The heated solder rod is dipped into flux, a thin layer of which protects it from oxide. The smaller the flux layer, the better the soldering quality.

After the air conditioner tubes have been sealed, the remaining flux is cleaned off.

Conditions to be observed during operation:

1. The burner must have a flame reduction function to control the heating process. An overheated tube becomes deformed and the end has to be sawed off.
2. Flaring is carried out on the pipe that lies towards the flowing freon, so that there is no friction and resistance at the soldering site. For example: if freon comes from the left, then expand the right side of the tube and vice versa.
3. Since some solders emit harmful gases when heated, provide ventilation or wear a respirator.

Low temperature soldering

The low-temperature mode of joining two metal parts involves heating the main parts below 427 degrees, that is, below the melting point of the base metal. With this method, the metal is less oxidized and local heating can be achieved. Energy and materials are saved. The result is a neat, precise joint.

Features of high temperature soldering

For the freon route, high-temperature soldering is not used

The melting point during high-temperature soldering is above 427 degrees, but lower than the melting point of the parts being joined. The technology is different from low temperature. When vacuum soldering, soft tin solder is used. High temperature technologies are used for connections that will subsequently operate at high temperatures.

To carry out the work independently, low temperature conditions are sufficient. High freon temperatures are not expected in the pipes, but the connection must be made hermetically to avoid refrigerant leakage during operation.

Welding air conditioner pipes

The method of argon welding of air conditioner tubes is used when aluminum tubes are worn out or deformed. Argon welding is used because heated aluminum becomes coated with an oxide film when exposed to oxygen. Argon prevents contact with oxygen and film formation.

The tube welding method is good for repairing car air conditioners.

Source: https://rem-serv.com/payka-mednyh-trub-dlya-konditsionerov/

How to flare a copper tube: methods, tools, tips

Flaring of copper tubes, also called rolling, is a technological operation, the essence of which is to deform their walls in the desired direction. The need to carry out such an operation arises in cases where it is necessary to make a hermetically sealed and reliable connection of copper tubes with various devices and instruments or to dock them together.

Rolling a copper tube with a hand tool

Tubes made of copper are quite common today, and in cases where their connection must be detachable, flaring is indispensable. For flaring tubes made of copper, both special equipment, mass-produced, and a set of simple tools can be used, which, if all technological recommendations are followed, also allows this process to be carried out efficiently.

Execution Features

Flaring of copper tubes may be necessary if:

• the cut end of the tube must be given the required configuration;
• the end of the product must be prepared for its connection using a coupling (in this case, using flaring, the geometric parameters of the tube are adjusted, such as the internal diameter, bending angle, etc.);
• it is necessary to prepare the ends of the copper tubes for their connection by soldering.

Pipes are cut to length using a special tool - a pipe cutter for copper or aluminum pipes

To qualitatively flare a copper tube using special tools and devices, you must perform the following steps.

• The end of the tube whose connection needs to be made is carefully cleaned.
• A special coupling is put on the stripped end.
• Using a special tool or device, the end of the tube is flared until its expansion angle is 45°.
• After the procedure is completed, the end of the product is removed from the device. You can then immediately begin making the connection.

If you have never performed such a technological operation before and are going to carry out flaring with your own hands for the first time, then you should cut off the tube with some extra length (2–2.5 cm), which will allow you, in case of failure, to flare it again, cutting off the defective section.

Reamer - devices for stripping the ends of copper tubes

If it is necessary to flare a copper tube in order to connect it by soldering, then the sequence of actions for carrying out such a procedure will look as follows.

• The surface of the end of the tube that needs to be flared is carefully cleaned (for this it is best to use a special brush).
• Using a special device, the end of the copper tube is expanded to such an extent that the end of another tube can be inserted into it and at the same time maintaining a gap of 0.124 mm between the connected elements. Naturally, for this you need to use a measuring tool.
• The flux necessary to ensure the formation of a reliable and tight connection is applied in an even layer to the inner surface of the pipe section that has already been flared.
• The end of the second connection element is inserted into the flared part to a depth equal to the diameter of the pipe.
• Using a gas torch, electric soldering iron or blowtorch, the future joint is heated until the solder begins to melt.
• Melted solder fills all the gaps between the edges of the copper pipes being connected, resulting in a reliable and tight connection.

After the connection of the two copper tubes is formed, they must be placed on a horizontal surface and allowed to cool completely. Only after the joint has completely cooled can the resulting structure be used.

Tools and accessories

In order to flare tubes made of copper with your own hands, use special devices. Such devices can be either manual or electric driven. They are used for installation of air conditioning, water supply and heating systems. Tools equipped with an electric drive often combine several functions: with their help, you can not only flare a copper tube, but also bend it at the required angle.

Any device used to flare tubes made of copper operates on the principle of plastic deformation, so it is very important that it handles this process as carefully as possible, without disturbing the homogeneity of the structure of the material, maintaining the uniform thickness of the walls of the products, as well as the smoothness of their internal surfaces.

Scheme of correct flaring and examples of an incorrectly performed operation

To perform high-quality flaring of copper tubes (even if you are doing it yourself for the first time), you can use one of the following devices. Sample

This is a cone-shaped blank made of a harder metal alloy than copper. The advantages of such a device are low price and ease of use. Meanwhile, its use may be accompanied by ruptures in the walls of the copper product, which results in low quality flaring.

With this simple device you can flare one tube, but you can’t talk about any quality of work

Mechanical flaring machine

The main working element of this device is a hard alloy roller, which, rolling along the edge of the copper tube, gives the latter the required configuration. The use of a mechanical flaring machine makes it possible to uniformly deform the treated section of the tube and form walls of the same thickness at its end with a high quality of their inner surface.

Hand tools are capable of providing high quality flaring and good work speed

Electric flaring machine

Such a device with a whole set of replaceable attachments, having all the advantages of a mechanical tool, allows you to flare copper tubes with higher productivity and less labor costs. Perhaps the only drawback of an electric flaring machine is its fairly high price.

The battery of this flaring machine lasts for approximately 100 operations.

Expander

This manual device, operating on the principle of a lever mechanism, allows you to flare the end of the tube in one movement. Despite its simplicity of design, such a device also has a number of significant disadvantages, the most significant of which is the inability to control the wall thickness of the workpiece. Thus, the use of an expander, which is most often chosen by those who do flaring with their own hands, does not guarantee a high-quality result.

Flaring copper pipes when installing an air conditioner

Now let's figure out what kind of procedure this is - flaring. After all, it contains nuances that can significantly affect the longevity of your cooling unit.

Freon circulation system

Like regular refrigerators, air conditioners run on freon. It circulates through copper pipes. If the connections to the ports are not completely sealed, the unit will begin to lose efficiency as a result of refrigerant leakage.

The tightness of the connections directly depends on the quality of the flaring performed.

Copper is a fairly ductile material. If the flaring is done correctly, the working cone fits tightly to the mating surface of the fitting and, when the union nut is tightened, it completely takes its shape. This ensures a reliable and tight connection.

Copper pipe flaring procedure

To obtain a high-quality result, it is necessary to use a special device - a flaring machine. It consists of a detachable base with calibrated holes and a pressure screw with a cone-shaped nozzle.

The following requirements apply to the cut of the rolled product:

• the cut of the copper pipe must be strictly perpendicular to its axis;
• the walls must be the same thickness around the entire perimeter;
• Before flaring, the edge must be cleared of burrs.

A copper pipe is inserted into a hole of the appropriate size so that its edge protrudes a certain distance. Then the base is tightened with screws, securely fixing it. The working cone is installed opposite the cut and inserted into the hole using the force of the clamping screw.

To avoid scoring, before flaring the working surface of the cone is lubricated with machine oil.

If the result is an even and smooth cone, the operation was performed correctly - the product can be used; if not, you will have to repeat everything again with another segment.

To prevent this from happening, it is better to entrust the matter to professionals. Contact our office in Moscow. Flaring of copper pipes will be performed so flawlessly that you will not have to think about replacing freon for many years.

Source: https://potok-holoda.ru/stati/razvaltsovka_mednykh_trub_pri_ustanovke_konditsionera/

How to flare or bead copper tubes with your own hands

When installing or repairing pipelines, heating or cooling devices, it may be necessary to connect copper pipes to each other or to other structural elements. To create a strong connection, you have to resort to flaring - expanding the edge of the pipe and giving it the shape of a socket, which allows you to connect structural elements without loss of throughput.

Flaring technology and stages

Copper tubes are connected to each other or to other elements of the pipe structure by welding or coupling.

Depending on the connection method (fitting or welded), the technology for preliminary preparation of the pipe edge differs.

• To complete the welded assembly, the end of the pipe is expanded - the hole is expanded until its internal diameter becomes 0.1-0.2 mm larger than the external diameter of the attached part. The gap between the elements to be connected will be filled with solder during the soldering process, which will ensure the strength and tightness of the assembly.
• To make a fitting connection between parts, the hole in the copper tube is not simply expanded to the required size, but a chamfer of the desired shape is prepared at the end, usually at an angle of 45⁰. This increases the contact area, thereby ensuring the reliability of the unit. The natural plasticity of copper also helps with this - when the joint is compressed with a fitting, the softened metal tightly grips the part attached to the pipe and fills all the gaps.

Regardless of the flaring task, the process steps are the same:

• The pipe is cut strictly perpendicularly, the edges and the outer surface near the cut are cleaned, and if the pipe was deformed during cutting, for example, flattened, the round shape of its cross-section is restored. Even partial failure to complete this step can lead to the fact that the connection will not be reliable and will easily depressurize.
• Fix the pipe in the matrix of the flaring tool or vice so as to leave approximately 5-6 mm of the pipe free. If the assembly will be made using the fitting method, first put a crimp nut on the pipe and only then fix the pipe in the holder. Putting a crimp nut on a flared pipe is problematic.
• A stamp of the required size is inserted into the end of the pipe and gradually screwed inward. In this case, the metal softens, stretches, and the edge of the pipe takes on a conical shape.
• Remove the expander from the pipe, release it from the holder and carefully inspect the resulting socket. If burrs are found along the edge, they are cleaned off.

It is important! If the bell has cracks, its edges are not parallel to each other or are skewed relative to the axis of the pipe, it is necessary to cut off the entire flared edge and repeat the beading process from the beginning.

Tools

You can increase the diameter of a soft and elastic copper pipe manually by simply pulling it onto a conical blank of a suitable size.

However, it is very difficult to obtain a bell with the correct geometry using this artisanal method. The walls may have uneven thickness, causing thinner ones to stretch too much and thick ones not to stretch at all. The force applied by a person is also uneven, so it is possible that the pipe will bend during operation and the blank will be skewed, as a result of which the socket will turn out to be asymmetrical and skewed.

To make the beading carefully and form a socket of the desired shape from the edge of the pipe, which can subsequently ensure a reliable connection of structural elements, various tools are used.

Recommendations for flaring

Independent beading of copper tubes is an easy task only if you have practical experience. At the same time, the tightness and reliability of the connections made depend on the quality of flaring.

Therefore, before installing a copper pipeline, installing or repairing heat-generating devices, it is better to practice on pipes of different diameters.

Note! When choosing a tool for flaring, you should evaluate its necessity and rationality of purchase.

A specialist professionally involved in the repair of pipelines or equipment will need a set of professional tools, which, in addition to a flaring tool, includes a pipe edger, a pipe bender and a pipe cutter. For rare repair work, an inexpensive flaring tool with a minimum set of attachments will suffice.

Recommendations to help you perform flaring correctly:

• Before starting work, carefully check the pipe: there should be no burrs or debris on it, the edge and walls should be smooth and free of bends, only pipes with a round cross-section are allowed for flaring.
• During flaring, it is important to ensure that the expanding tip does not skew relative to the pipe. Otherwise, the socket will be asymmetrical and will not be able to provide a reliable connection.
• When expanding a pipe manually, the taper blank should be screwed in rather than pressed into the hole. This will help distribute the force and avoid damaging the pipe.
• It is better to carry out beading of a pipe with an expander in two or three stages. First, widen the edge a little, and then turn the expander and stretch the pipe to the desired diameter.
• When installing a pipe into the die of a rolling machine, you should select the hole that exactly matches the diameter of the pipe.
• Before flaring, the outer surface of the tube is treated with an abrasive sponge to remove dust and debris and ensure reliable fixation in the holder. If this is not done, the tube will slip in the die, interfering with the flaring process.

Source: https://InfoTruby.ru/svoimi-rukami/razvaltsovka-mednyh-trub

How to flare a copper tube with your own hands

When connecting copper pipes to each other or when joining them with working parts, for example, air conditioners, special preparation of their ends is required - the so-called flaring. The durability of the future system directly depends on how well it is made, because the vast majority of problems with refrigerant (freon) leakage from air conditioners are associated with poor-quality joints.

Most often, flaring of a copper pipe is required when installing an air conditioner yourself

Our article will discuss how to properly flare a copper pipe.

How to properly prepare a pipe end

Before you start flaring directly, you need to prepare. Preparation begins at the pipe cutting stage, namely, ensuring that after cutting the end of the pipe meets the following conditions:

• had no bevels (must be made strictly at 90 degrees relative to the axis of the pipe);
• was smooth;
• did not have a collapse of the edges.

When cutting a copper pipe, the mistakes shown in the picture are not allowed.

To do this, cutting is carried out according to the instructions below:

1. A special pipe cutter for copper pipes is put on and secured to the section of the pipe where the cut mark was previously applied.
2. Slowly cut through the pipe in a counterclockwise rotational motion.
3. Check the end for any irregularities or bevels.
4. Using a file and/or sandpaper, remove possible irregularities and burrs from the end.

Flaring tool

You will also need a flaring machine to complete the task. This is a special die with template holes for different pipe diameters, to which a rolling with a cone is attached. This tool can be purchased at a specialty store. As a rule, it is sold complete with a pipe cutter and devices for processing pipe ends.

This is what a tool for flaring copper pipes looks like

How to perform flaring

So, after preparation, they proceed directly to flaring:

1. If necessary, put a return nut on the pipe in advance, so that later there will be no incident with the fastening of the pipe, since it will no longer be possible to put it on the flared end.
2. The prepared pipe is clamped in the die, having previously selected a hole of a suitable diameter in it. It is necessary to clamp so that the end of the pipe protrudes slightly above the surface of the die, and the pipe itself is securely fixed. The height of the protrusion depends on the diameter of the pipe and is selected according to the table below.

projection (mm)

Bead diameter (mm) (mm) (in) 6.35 1/4 1.01.3 8.38.7 9.52 3/8 0.81.0 12.012.4 12.70 1/2 0.50 .8 15.415.8 15.88 5/8 0.50.8 18.619.0 19.05 3/4 0.10.5 22.923.3

1. Next, move the rolling element to the desired hole and clamp it. Usually there are special marks on the die for proper fixation of the rolling element. When properly fixed, the top of the cone will coincide with the center of the pipe hole.
2. Rotate the screw of the rolling element. In this case, the cone gradually enters the pipe, expanding its end. Rotation is carried out until it stops.
3. Unscrew the screw back, release the pipe from the die, and check the result. The output should be an evenly flared symmetrical end without displacement to the side and without bevel. In addition, there should be no cracks, breaks or other damage. If something like this occurs, the failed area is cut off and the procedure is repeated.

When flaring a copper pipe, the mistakes shown in the picture are not allowed.

1. The flared area is processed again - burrs, possible chamfers and irregularities are removed. Here it is necessary to achieve a perfectly flat and smooth surface in order to further achieve complete tightness of the joint.

You can clearly see the rules for flaring from the video below.

If you did everything correctly, then the flared pipe can be considered completely ready for further installation.

Thus, we described the stages of preparing a pipe for flaring, told which one is better and how to use an expander for a copper pipe, and provided instructions for doing flaring yourself.

When installing copper piping systems, it is often necessary to expand the cut end of the pipe - for installing climate control systems or soldering heating and water supply pipelines.

I greet our dear reader and offer an article about what flaring of copper tubes is, in what situations it is used and how to do it yourself.

Source: https://nadouchest.ru/kak-razvalcevat-mednuju-trubku-svoimi-rukami/

Rolling of copper pipes

The split system consists of external and internal units manufactured at the factory.

To connect them, copper tubes are used, which must be connected to the valves of the external and internal units.

This is done using special union nuts and pipe flaring.

Connecting blocks

The route is laid in the wall, leaving a short length.

After this, unscrew the pressure nut from the air conditioner valve and put it on the tube.

Next comes rolling, or flanging of the tube.

Its end is flattened, taking the shape of a valve.

The molded tube is pressed against the valve and the nut is tightened by hand, precisely guiding it along the thread, until it makes a complete fit.

Finally, tighten the nut with a wrench.

Rolling instructions

1. Cut the tube to the required length
2. We put on the clamping nut
3. Use a rimmer to remove burrs remaining after cutting the pipe.
4. We clamp the tube in a special clamp leaving 1-2 mm
5. We put on the roller and turn its handle until it stops or the limiter is activated

lesson:

Rolling tool

The flanging set consists of two parts - a clamping device for the pipe and the flanging device itself.

Pipe Clamp Types:

• metric
• inch
• universal
• in the form of a set with holes for a fixed pipe diameter

Rolling types:

• with fixed cone
• with eccentric cone
• with ratchet limiter

Metric pipe is used in plumbing, hydraulics and some other industries, and for air conditioners, inch pipe and, accordingly, rolling are used.

Universal rolling

The clamp of such a rolling mechanism changes its diameter when the clamping handle is rotated.

Accordingly, it can be used for both metric and inch pipes of any diameter (limited only by the maximum possible diameter for a given type of clamp)

Rolling with fixed diameter clamp

Only suitable for certain pipe diameters.

The diameter of a metric pipe is measured in millimeters, and an imperial pipe in inches, so you need to use the appropriate clamps.

 Rolling with fixed cone

The cone of this rolling is aligned with the axis of rotation and thus flanging is ensured by uniform simultaneous pressing of the edges of the tube.

Rolling with eccentric

The cone of this rolling is offset relative to the center of rotation.

Beading, in this case, is achieved by gradually rolling out the edge of the tube.

The rolling quality is higher with an eccentric cone.

Reliability of the rolling connection

Rolling made with high-quality tools is quite reliable.

But when exposed to vibrations, the clamping nut may loosen, which will cause freon leakage.

The rate of freon leakage is several grams per year.

A more reliable connection is soldering.

Source: https://MasterXoloda.ru/5/valcovka-mednyh-trubok

Rolling for copper pipes – Pipes and plumbing

The article will discuss rolling for copper pipes, its purpose and technological process.

First, it’s worth figuring out what we’re talking about. Rolling is a common change in the shape of a material. On an industrial scale, the task is accomplished using special high-strength shafts. They are rolled several times over the workpiece until the desired profile is obtained.

How is rolling done?

Now a little about how to flare a tube at home. The principle of operation of a pipe bender - a tool without which it is almost impossible to install plumbing equipment - is a special case of rolling. The machine roller bends the desired shape, rolling the workpiece around the base.

Rolling is required in the following cases:

• The blank of the required shape cannot be made;
• Precise adjustment of the size or angle of the product is required.

The last option includes rolling copper pipes for subsequent installation of water supply.

Scope of application of copper pipe rolling

Now let's move on to describing cases when rolling may be required. We are not talking about industrial work in large factories, but about everyday use. Let's consider three common situations that a resident of an apartment or country house may encounter.

Manufacturing of water pipes

The article has already discussed the use of pipe benders in plumbing work. Now let's look at the nuances of making water pipes. It is assembled from many copper tubes. To construct a long-lasting plumbing system, you will also need split rings, fittings and nuts.

And here a logical question arises: does it make sense to solder copper pipes end to end or end to end? In general, such a task is feasible. But the connection cannot be called high-quality. Any temperature difference or mechanical impact will all lead to a violation of the tightness of the pipeline. A leak will occur, or in the worst case, the entire structure will malfunction.

A more reliable method is used for soldering copper water pipes. The copper tube is first rolled, and only one, to slightly expand its diameter. The second one is threaded into it so that a small gap is formed. The voids are filled with solder. Such a connection will withstand high loads without problems.

Recommendation: if you decide to do the soldering yourself, use flux. The solder needs to wet the surface of the product in the voids. Without flux, he will not cope with this task.

Installation of climate control equipment

If you are planning to install an air conditioner in an apartment, you will need to do it yourself by flaring the copper pipes that connect the indoor and outdoor units. Refrigerant will circulate through them.

Repair of freezing systems and heat pumps

Here the situation is similar to the previous one. Copper tubes are designed for circulation of coolant. If they require repair work, then soldering is indispensable. As mentioned earlier, it is impossible to perform it efficiently without rolling.

Implementation

If you need to flare a copper pipe with your own hands, you will need a special tool. This also applies to products made from other materials, such as brass or aluminum.

Copper is ductile. Therefore, a physically strong person can simply pull such a tube onto a conical blank. Sometimes this is done. But you should understand that this is not the best processing method. Such a connection will not last long; the product will quickly fail, sometimes without the possibility of repair. In addition, the thin tube is quite easy to jam. There is still a risk of it breaking at the point of force.

There is a more advanced way to increase the diameter of a pipe at home, one step below rolling. To implement it, a so-called expander is required. This is a machine with a replaceable head and a lever, the use of which allows you to stretch the tube to the required shape in one action.

Ease of use is the main advantage of the expander. But its use does not have the best effect on the quality of work. After all, after processing, the thin walls of the pipes will expand even more, while the thick ones will not undergo changes.

Flaring copper tubes: how to do it correctly, a set of tools and accessories for do-it-yourself work

When installing copper piping systems, it is often necessary to expand the cut end of the pipe - for installing climate control systems or soldering heating and water supply pipelines.

I greet our dear reader and offer an article about what flaring of copper tubes is, in what situations it is used and how to do it yourself.

Stage 11: Flaring of air conditioner pipes

When both air conditioner units are already installed, you need to take on one of the most important steps - you need air conditioner pipes connecting the external and internal units through which the refrigerant circulates. These routes are made of copper, are connected directly to the blocks, and the performance of the entire system depends on the quality of the connection.

The first thing to do is to identify the freon supply pipe to the external unit and the one that is responsible for the return flow of the material. This is easy to do - the line supplying the refrigerant to the outside has a larger diameter. It is also necessary to consider whether oil traps are needed and prepare return nuts. In this article we will tell you how to properly make and connect copper pipes for an air conditioner through which freon circulates.

Why is it more profitable to lay highways yourself? There are a lot of advantages:

• the system can be made to any length;
• tubes that are too long easily turn into tortuous highways;
• Any arrangement of air conditioning units is allowed;
• installation of modules is not limited in any way.

In addition, installation is not difficult, you just need to follow our recommendations.

Air conditioner pipes: installation process

Laying routes includes several stages:

• determining the need for and installing an oil trap;
• measuring the length of pipes and cutting them;
• bending and installation of tubes;
• using a reamer to remove burrs;
• installation of return nuts and flaring of tubes.

Let us consider each of these stages in more detail and give recommendations for their implementation.

Is an oil trap necessary?

First you need to decide in what cases the installation of such a route element is necessary. You need to carefully read the installation instructions included with your air conditioner model. It is most often recommended to install an oil trap if:

• the level of the internal and external blocks differs by 5 meters or more;
• the route is designed in such a way that there are multi-vertical sections;
• the total length of communications between the blocks is 30 meters or more.

An oil trap, also called an oil lifting loop, is needed to facilitate oil lifting when the A/C pipe is positioned vertically. The fact is that some of the lubricant from the compressor enters the line as part of the liquid refrigerant. Essentially, the oil passes through all the tubes, returning to the crankcase of the outdoor unit.

Accordingly, the more vertical sections and the higher they are, the more often the oil does not reach the top under the influence of gravity. This threatens the lack of lubrication of the compressor, which will inevitably lead to its jamming. The oil lifting loop allows oil to accumulate in one place, thereby narrowing the passage for the refrigerant and increasing the speed of the latter, and therefore the pressure, i.e.

in fact, freon, passing through the trap, accumulates oil particles, raising it to the top.

The oil lifting loop itself is made from pipes - you must bend them into an elbow shape. Such a device is installed on vertical sections of the route, the length of which exceeds five meters. The first trap is placed immediately before the vertical segment. If you still need to install traps, you can find the specific dimensions in the instructions..

Measuring and cutting pipes

The main thing here is to adhere to the principle of accuracy above all. The tightness of the route depends primarily on the cleanliness of the cut. An angle of 90 degrees is needed, which can be achieved with a special pipe cutter.

It is fixed at the place where the tube is cut and, with a rotational movement, cuts off part of the tube. Another important point is the cleanliness of the work - do not allow dust and copper particles to get inside the air conditioner pipe.

It is very difficult to blow through it, so work carefully and carefully watch the cut, because the edges are being made:

• as smooth as possible;
• without bevels;
• without blockages, both inside and outside.

Also, do not forget to clean the cut from defects: burrs and dust, chips and nicks.

You will need two pipes:

• narrow, for directing freon to the indoor unit;
• wide, along which the refrigerant moves to the external module.

The diameter depends on the power of the air conditioning units. In addition, this data can be found in the technical specifications.

Tube bending

This process is performed using a pipe bender, another special tool. You cannot bend the pipes by hand - they will certainly get damaged and the work will have to start again. During the bending process, it is possible to adjust the angles of inclination by trying the tubes directly to the installation sites. This allows you to make bending more accurate and check previous theoretical calculations.

Stripping tubes

When the cutting work is completed, you need to apply the final touch - clean the edges of the air conditioner pipe from any burrs formed during the cutting process. This is done by scanning and rotating it slowly. This moment is ideal for another action - inspecting the cut edge for cracks, kinks and other defects. When reaming, the pipe must be held at a downward angle so that chips from the reamer do not fall inside the pipe.

Air conditioner tube: flared ends

Now we need to proceed to the most important stage - flaring and joining. This will require return nuts and fittings.

All air conditioner pipes are equipped with fittings located at the connections, so this will not be a problem.

But to install the return nuts on each tube, you will need to carry out flaring, despite the fact that the nuts have their own diameter that matches the dimensions of the tubes, according to the factory markings. You need 1 universal tool consisting of:

• a vice in which the tube is clamped during work;
• rolling, which performs the main action.

Proceed carefully and consistently, and if the beading does not work out the first time, try again, first cutting off the section with the defect. The main thing is to maintain the integrity of the pipe.

Flaring is performed as follows:

• first of all you need to put the return nut on the tube;
• then clamp the pipe in a vise so that the cut extends slightly beyond its limits;
• before starting, it is recommended to slightly oil the cones;
• and eventually carry out the disassembly.

Dimensions of beaded copper tubes

There are standardized diameters that must be adhered to when flaring. They are presented in table form:

Initial tube diameter	Beading, diameter
inches	millimeters	millimeters
1/4	6,35	8,3 – 8,7
3/8	9,52	12 – 12,4
1/2	12,70	15,4 – 15,8
5/8	15,88	18,6 – 19
3/4	19,05	22,9 – 23,3

To determine the diameter of the pipe and flaring, an additional tool is used - a caliper. It is very important to maintain the ratio of sizes, because the tightness, and therefore the performance of the entire split system, depends on it.

End of stage

So you have:

• bent and flared tubes covered with thermal insulation;
• grooves or boxes for securing communications;
• drainage and electrical routes.

But if something goes wrong for you, you can always order the installation of a split air conditioner from specialists with extensive experience in this field.

Source: https://vencon.ua/articles/etap-11-razvaltsovka-trub-konditsionera