What type of torch would I need to heat a 304 schedule 40 pipe enough to smash it into an oval so it would fit to the header flange?

 

I use a lighter to heat it up and just smash it with my fingers..

 

Any serious answers?

 

///// a vice

 

Okay, I know a vice.....but what to use to heat the pipe? What type of torch?

 

Acetylene torch and a vise.

 

I vote for a hydraulic press with no heat

Using heat can affect the material right at an area where it needs to be at its strongest.

But if you MUST use heat for whatever reason, an oxy/acet torch setup with a medium rosebud tip on it should do the trick.

 

Do you guys think the mapp gas you can buy at home depot would work?

 

Yes, MAPP will "work", but so will using no torch at all. Just beat or press it into the shape you need. You aren't forging a sword.

 

I just use a vice and no heat. Put al. on the jaws so you don't get marks on the pipe.

 

I'll give that a try tomorrow Thanks for all the help guys!

 

depends on what you're trying to "smash" it with. If you've got a hydro press you could hit it w/ a propane rosebud if at all. If you're trying to hammer it I'd probably use the oxyacetylene.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by beepy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You aren't forging a sword.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i dunno why... but this made me chuckle.

Anyway... an average size benchtop vice with a lil leverage could squish a pipe pretty good.

 

Heating it properly with a slow cooldown would be better, otherwise you could end up cold working the area and make it more brittle.

 

press

 

just used the vice on mine.

 

If I tell you,You can't tell anybody else OK?
I set the tube on the bench and smack it with a 3lb sledge.One hit does it. You know that you have to form it out to the flange .Right?I didn't think so.When you get all the tubes welded up and tacked in place.weld the tube to the flange where ever its touching the flange.Then you need to have something to hold the header with the ports pointing up.I have two pieces of square tubing welded to the side of my bench with a bolt welded to the end of it. Then I put the header on the bolts and put nuts on the bolts to hold the header from moving.Then I have a piece of 1" solid round bar that I hit with a hammer to knock the tube out to the flange all the way around.Then when all 4 are done I weld all the way around the port . Then I turn it over and do the same thing. If you do both sides one right after the other the flange will stay flat.If you don't .It will pull to one side like a bitch.
OK this is just between me and you right?LOL

OH yeah you can give the map gas back to the plumber. Use Oxy actel. if you need to heat it up.