Using copper brake pipes require flanged ends on the pipe. To this end I managed to borrow a flanging tool from Tony. I have to say this is a really really good tool. It comes with all the different size tools for the different diameter pipes. It is a double operation tool, ie you have to flare it twice to get the final flare shape.
It also has a proper pipe cutting tool, as shown below. This is again a necessary tool to cut the pipe without crushing it!!
The copper pipe, or as I am using the copper nickel pipe as it has a slightly higher bursting pressure, comes coiled up. This is obviously easier to transport, but the first job is to usually to straighten out portions of it. So, after I had enough very roughly straightened out I needed to cut it. Basically to do this you clamp the cutting tool around th pipe and rotate it around the tube. Then you clamp it a little tighter and rotate again. You have to keep doing this until it cuts through.
So, the next thing to remember to do it to slide the fitting onto the tube. Yes it sounds obvious but I of course forgot to do this, flanged the end and was then left with a beautifully flanged pipe that was totally useless. After sliding the fitting onto the tube I then flanged the tube as was then left with this;
