3.5mm Citroen pipe flaring tool

[xmexclusive]

Hi All

Another useful consumable that Pliaedes supply is replacement pipe nuts for 3.5mm pipe.
These are manufactured with larger than normal (10mm) nut flats making them much less prone to damage if you have to undo them.

John

[Jan-hendrik]

It went for a crazy price.

[hydroman]

Yes, thats more than Pliaedes chatge for a new one.

[kenhall]

I think that Martin of Pleiades deserves a free plug on the forum for his splendid efforts in keeping many Citroen owners mobile for over twenty years.
See the attached file regarding the Pleiades flaring tool.

Pleiades flare tool.doc

Ken

[Dieselman]

It went for a crazy price.

Agreed. I was watching this one from early on when it was about £10. Having spoken to Pleiades I knew I was out when it was £40 +p&p.

[Jan-hendrik]

I think that Martin of Pleiades deserves a free plug on the forum for his splendid efforts in keeping many Citroen owners mobile for over twenty years.
See the attached file regarding the Pleiades flaring tool.

Pleiades flare tool.doc

Ken

Is there a picture of this tool somewhere?

About ten years ago, no must have been more like 15 years ago, (got older faster than I thought )when I was restoring a DS I bought a beautiful set which came in a neat metal box from a supplier in the Netherlands. Have forgotten which supplier. It was inexpensive, about a hundred guilders, IIRC. When the DS went to a new owner I sold off a number of special tools, including the flaring tool set. Although I don't need to make up new pipes for the XM I regret I sold the set for only 6000 yen

[kenhall]

Jan-hendrik

Is there a picture of this tool somewhere?

Here is the Pleiades picture of the tool (with ackowledgments). For any machinist contemplating making their own tool I would point out that I believe the tool is hardened following fabrication.

92fc_1.jpg

Ken

[Dieselman]

TBH it's hard to see how that is really worth £50+. A die with a 3.4mm groove, a tapped thread, a bolt and a loose collar with an olive shaped recess.

[robert_e_smart]

Its not the tool that is worth money, its what the tool enables you to do that is worth money.

[bobhalliday]

TBH it's hard to see how that is really worth £50+. A die with a 3.4mm groove, a tapped thread, a bolt and a loose collar with an olive shaped recess.

It isn't simply 'an olive shaped recess' the tool makes about 1/8" of the tubing slightly larger than 3.5mm just in front of the olive, this is where the rubber seal sits I think.
I bought mine because I suffered a burst pipe on my last XM and it cost a fortune to have it replaced, about £250 and it was off the road a week nearly! I'll be quite happy at the outlay even if I never suffer a burst pipe again!
Bob