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  •  » AC/Hydraulic crimping tool

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    1/28/2023 4:29 PM  #1

    RTM
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    From: Cape Coral FL
    Registered: 5/22/2019
    Posts: 1,057

    AC/Hydraulic crimping tool

    I’ll need to make my own AC lines and all the Hydraulic lines for the PS and hydroboost setup.  Can anyone recommend a decent crimper that will work and not break the bank.

     

    1/28/2023 5:18 PM  #2

    MS
    Forum Originator

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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 11,729

    Re: AC/Hydraulic crimping tool

    I bought a Snap-On setup. Not hydraulic. You actually have to crank a bolt to operate the ram. It was under $250 nearly twenty years ago. Easy to use.
    Best quality. Don’t scrimp on tools!

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    1/28/2023 5:27 PM  #3

    Rufus68
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: Knoxville, TN
    Registered: 4/26/2017
    Posts: 726

    Re: AC/Hydraulic crimping tool

    I see you are in Cape Coral.  A quick search on the Internets yielded:  Hydraulic Supply Company.  Many times places like this will make custom lines.  Give them a call.

    12900 Metro Pkwy, Fort Myers, FL 33966
    (239) 274-9229

    1968 T-code Coupe with a 302.  Nice car, no show stopper for sure, but I like it.
     

    1/28/2023 8:15 PM  #4

    Bullet Bob
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    From: Montrose, Colorado
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 4,780

    Re: AC/Hydraulic crimping tool

    I bought the hose and fittings from a local truck parts company.  Then cut all the hose and clocked and marked the fittings.  Then the truck outfit crimped it all together.  Perfect.
    When we did the Falcon Project my friend bought a tool like MS  was talking about but I'm sure it's not Snap-On.  Seems to work...no leaks.
     

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    1/28/2023 8:40 PM  #5

    1fststang
    I FYI 24-7

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    Registered: 6/02/2013
    Posts: 419

    Re: AC/Hydraulic crimping tool

    i have the mastercool hydraulic crimping tool. works great andpicked it up at a pawn shop for $100.

     

     

    1/28/2023 9:30 PM  #6

    Bullet Bob
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    From: Montrose, Colorado
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: AC/Hydraulic crimping tool

    1fststang wrote:

    i have the mastercool hydraulic crimping tool. works great andpicked it up at a pawn shop for $100.

     

    I was just looking at that one.  Can someone tell me the difference between AC and Hydraulic crimps?
     

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    1/29/2023 6:25 AM  #7

    RTM
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    From: Cape Coral FL
    Registered: 5/22/2019
    Posts: 1,057

    Re: AC/Hydraulic crimping tool

    I know I can get them made at a local shop and may go that route.  Like everything else, I try to weigh my options.  I look at the overall costs, time and if I think I may ever need that special tool again.

    I hadn't  thought of looking at the Pawn shops.  There are a couple in town.  I missed out on a nice dial bore gauge one time from a Pawn Shop.  I could not get out of work to get there fast enough.

       •Thread Starter
     

    1/29/2023 9:09 AM  #8

    MS
    Forum Originator

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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 11,729

    Re: AC/Hydraulic crimping tool

    Bullet Bob wrote:

    1fststang wrote:

    i have the mastercool hydraulic crimping tool. works great andpicked it up at a pawn shop for $100.

     

    I was just looking at that one.  Can someone tell me the difference between AC and Hydraulic crimps?
     

    Not necessarily ALL fittings, but AC crimps usually have different grooves on the fittings than hydraulic lines do.  The instructions with Vintage Air systems warn specifically to be sure and use the correct crimper tool.

    If taking yours to a shop to be crimped (probably the best option for most people) be sure to temporarily install the hose on the car, cut them to length and then wrap tape around the hose end, but not on top of the crimp sleeve, so you can mark the hose where it mates to the crimp sleeve, keeping it in the correct clocked position. These hoses cannot be twisted during installation!

    A pliers type pvc pipe cutoff tool or hose cutting tool is the best option for cutting hoses. Makes it simple and you get a square cut.  Razor blade is tedious. Hack saw leaves rubber pieces inside the hose. Hose cutter tools are inexpensive and you will wonder how you ever got by without them.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    1/29/2023 9:48 AM  #9

    BobE
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    From: White Plains, NY
    Registered: 4/04/2013
    Posts: 2,200

    Re: AC/Hydraulic crimping tool

    I have not done AC lines, but I did make my own SS braided lines for PS and Hydroboost using high pressure hose and fittings from Summit.  Followed the instructions provided by “Russell”, and found using a cutoff wheel on my dry grinder to cut the tubing (instead of a hacksaw) worked out well. 
    Although, I have friends that have gone to a truck auto parts store to have them make up the lines.

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

     

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