Hey guys/gals,

I was wondering, what are you guys using to expand the ends of tubing when doing exhaust jobs that require adjustment?

At my old work, we had a hydraulic machine that worked great. But now that I'm on my own, I've been trying different things, and the last thing I bought doesn't work AT ALL. After seeing how it's designed, I'm realizing that it would take TREMENDOUS torque on the drive bolt to get it to expand tubing the way I want to use it.



I'm looking for something hydraulic, but I can't find ANYTHING online. Maybe I'm not using the right search terms?

I'd appreciate any help!

Thanks!

 

If you look at the 'fine print' usage for that tool, its intended to expand a crimped tube. Meaning it restores the original size when a u-clamp crushes one side of the pipe. Last time I went to autozone for this tool, both of theirs had stripped screws, indicating someone trying to expand an entire section of tubing.

 

here ya go.

http://trick-tools.vansantent....&asug=
http://www.southern-tool.com/s....html

danielm3 bought the one from souther-tools, more info/pics.
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1548889

 

Thanks guys!

As soon as I opened the box I knew these little ones weren't going to work for ****.

I guess I'll have to dish out once again. Shop-specific tools are so freakin' expensive.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HiProfile &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you look at the 'fine print' usage for that tool, its intended to expand a crimped tube.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yup, those just straighten crimped or dinged pipe. If you really force it with an impact wrench, you can get a tiny amount of stretching, but not enough to matter and it will be uneven.

 

I have the previous model of this http://www.huthbenders.com/Pro...7e3f4

 

I have this one:

http://vansantent.com/tube_ben...r.htm

worth every penny. welcome to the business... prepare to spend more money on equipment than you had ever imagined

Evan

 

If you heat the tube with the one the OP posted, they will expand the tubing up to about an 1/8".

 

Thanks guys, but heating is not an option. It's too time consuming, and I use mostly stainless.

Thanks though!

 

You should really look for a used exhaust shop bender. While you may not use the bender side for much if you ever go to sell it, you won't have any problems. If you try to sell an expander only tool, then you've limited the number of prospective buyers.

 

Your right but the room and the electrical power it takes is a big difference. There are always guys in here that would buy it. If you have the room and power then do it of not then the hand held is great and you can take it to the work instead of bringing the work to the big machine.

 

Why even bother doing slip joints? You could just weld butt to butt on all the piping, anywhere you need a break in the pipe use a flange.

 

i would also suggest maybe finding a used exhasust shop bender/ expander.

i have rarely used the bender side, but the expander side has other features like being able to make ball socket exhaust ends, i have even machined a die to make old fasion style 4-1 merge collectors for long tube headers. it can so a few other things a stand alone expander does. the biggest down side is its pretty big.

 

I use a Lisle 34400, I dont do too many jobs (maybe 2-4 a week) but it works quite well for its compact size, Its not hydrolic but with a good impact gun it works well

http://www.lislecorp.com/tool_...l=550

 

this works for expanding 16ga MS and SS??

 

I'm thinking of using one of those tail pipe expanders but changing the screw to a longer grade 8 one and using a porta-power hydraulic unit to do the expansion...

 

Yes, the Lisle tool actually works pretty decently for light-duty work. It's rough going on stainless, but it'll do it if you're patient.