[Land-speed] Cutting and Fitting Braided Stainless Lines

[Dick J]

At the risk of somebody saying "Gee, EVERBODY has been doing that for a hundred years.", I think I've discovered a neat little trick for working with braided stainless line.  I noticed that after taping and cutting with a cut-off wheel or dremel, as soon as the tape is removed (or sometimes even before the tape is removed) the ends of the braided wire will start to funnel open like a little velocity stack, making it impossible to get the flared end into the fitting.  
   
  This added step will stop the flaring of the braid.  Once you mark your cut, if you smear the area around the cut for about a half inch in each direction with an ample coating of super glue, and let it dry for a minute or two before putting the tape on, you will find that once the tubing is cut and the tape removed, the end will hold it's correct diameter indefinitely. You may not even need to tape it, but I haven't tried that. 
   
  If everybody's already been doing this, then just smile and don't say anything so I can feel like I discovered something really cool.   :)  On the other hand, if this is a neat trick that you haven't tried before, I hope it will save you some sweat and pierced finger tips.
   
  DickJ
  In East Texas

       
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