Tubing Expander

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Timbo Whalen

Timbo Whalen

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2015
Messages
1,855
Hello....I've been in need, for some time, of a tubing expander/swager to expand the lead-in tube on our tuned pipes.
Stu had recommended one he likes some 4 yrs ago, but have forgotten which one it was....think he mentioned it was on eBay, and not expensive.

Would like to hear what you guys are using, and have actually used.

Will something like this do a good job?...

Thanks!

https://www.amazon.com/Expander-Exp...pcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A3UF7KJ98XILN5

Screenshot_20240711-000838.png
 
Timbo Whalen said:
Hello....I've been in need, for some time, of a tubing expander/swager to expand the lead-in tube on our tuned pipes.
Stu had recommended one he likes some 4 yrs ago, but have forgotten which one it was....think he mentioned it was on eBay, and not expensive.

Would like to hear what you guys are using, and have actually used.

Will something like this do a good job?...

Thanks!

https://www.amazon.com/Expander-Exp...pcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A3UF7KJ98XILN5

View attachment 328052
Click to expand...
I just used one exactly like that except it was marked for standard instead of metric. Heat the pipe with a torch and then start working the tool. You’ll want to turn the pipe as you are gently squeezing on the tool so that your swage is even. It takes a few min but works fine. I used mine on a CMB nitro pipe for a .45 rs evo.
 
Timbo Whalen said:
Hello....I've been in need, for some time, of a tubing expander/swager to expand the lead-in tube on our tuned pipes.
Stu had recommended one he likes some 4 yrs ago, but have forgotten which one it was....think he mentioned it was on eBay, and not expensive.

Would like to hear what you guys are using, and have actually used.

Will something like this do a good job?...

Thanks!

https://www.amazon.com/Expander-Exp...pcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A3UF7KJ98XILN5

View attachment 328052
Click to expand...
Tim,
I have and use the same style, one drawback is the steps are short so you can’t expand the length you may want but it gets you started. Another option that I use regularly is to use a drill bit but spin it in reverse, it acts like being swagged. I use a number of drill sizes and work my way up to the finish size. I’ve never heated a pipe or header to bend or enlarge. The material that most all are made from is extremely soft and heating adds an extra step that I found un-necessary .
 
John Beardslee said:
Tim,
I have and use the same style, one drawback is the steps are short so you can’t expand the length you may want but it gets you started. Another option that I use regularly is to use a drill bit but spin it in reverse, it acts like being swagged. I use a number of drill sizes and work my way up to the finish size. I’ve never heated a pipe or header to bend or enlarge. The material that most all are made from is extremely soft and heating adds an extra step that I found un-necessary .
Click to expand...
I agree the length of the swage is a limitation. It would be nice to have at least another 1/4 in with this particular tool.
 
I recently bought a little different expander. Mine you have to hammer the expander into the pipe. But, it also is too short in the desired length. My swiss cheese memory re calls someone on here years ago mentioned using a socket. May be worth a trip to ACO or auto parts and see what they have. Wonder if just a touch of grease may help as well???

Ken
 
K F Wheeler said:
I recently bought a little different expander. Mine you have to hammer the expander into the pipe. But, it also is too short in the desired length. My swiss cheese memory re calls someone on here years ago mentioned using a socket. May be worth a trip to ACO or auto parts and see what they have. Wonder if just a touch of grease may help as well???

Ken
Click to expand...
I have done the socket deal..
PITA!!
grease may have helped, didn't think about that.
 
I use the stepped tool in the air conditioning world, length of the steps are a limiting factor
Wonder if someone makes a small muffler pipe expander ?
Google search might turn up something
 
I add tape to the lower steps to get it as deep as I can then if needed use a stepped socket,only needed one larger pipes
 
On small pipes I have use a lady foot pry bar that I clamp in a vise with the taper point straight up grease the taper part heat the pipe I used welding gloves and twist it on the taper once I get it to fit header I find a deep well socket that’s the same diameter and finish the fit with it using a extension in the vise and put the socket on it.The wirsbo expander is a beast will streach the big thick pipes with no effort.I have split a 21 pipe but it was paper thin.I used it on the 101 pipe on this rigger was the same size as header.
 

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Timbo Whalen said:
Hello....I've been in need, for some time, of a tubing expander/swager to expand the lead-in tube on our tuned pipes.
Stu had recommended one he likes some 4 yrs ago, but have forgotten which one it was....think he mentioned it was on eBay, and not expensive.

Would like to hear what you guys are using, and have actually used.

Will something like this do a good job?...

Thanks!

https://www.amazon.com/Expander-Exp...pcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A3UF7KJ98XILN5

View attachment 328052
Click to expand...
Tim, I have one that I'm not using. Pay the shipping cost and it's yours.
Call me at 309.854.1096

Doug Long
 
I've used the tool Timbo posted cold to get the initial sizing I want then taken a deep well socket with o.d. the same size with locking extension (so you can pull it back out and also not lose it in the pipe) applied heat carefully to area just past initial expansion and tapped socket/extension to get the depth I needed which typically wasn't much.
 
Rich Jones said:
I just used one exactly like that except it was marked for standard instead of metric. Heat the pipe with a torch and then start working the tool. You’ll want to turn the pipe as you are gently squeezing on the tool so that your swage is even. It takes a few min but works fine. I used mine on a CMB nitro pipe for a .45 rs evo.
Click to expand...
Great!....thanks, Rich.
 
Roxyflash said:
This tool is a bit of over kill does work very little pressure needed have to be careful will split the pipe
Click to expand...
Yes, appears HD, for sure....think that annealing the pipe and working slowly is the key to avoid splitting pipe.
One good thing is, the grade of aluminum they use for spin forming allows for significant drawing quality allowing more malleable condition.
Thanks!
 
john v said:
I use the stepped tool in the air conditioning world, length of the steps are a limiting factor
Wonder if someone makes a small muffler pipe expander ?
Google search might turn up something
Click to expand...
Wouldn't be too difficult to turn a stepped tool from steel with diametric steps and length for our purposes....then harden it.

I love Al Hobbs' headers and pipes because their slip fit integration seems perfect.
 
Don Ferrette said:
I've used the tool Timbo posted cold to get the initial sizing I want then taken a deep well socket with o.d. the same size with locking extension (so you can pull it back out and also not lose it in the pipe) applied heat carefully to area just past initial expansion and tapped socket/extension to get the depth I needed which typically wasn't much.
Click to expand...
Great scheme, Don!....seems like that process was similar to what Stu explained to me a few years back.
Thanks, Bro!
 

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