Swaging tool to enlarge pipe and header diameter?

Kez · Feb 9, 2015

Has anyone tried using a swaging tool to enlarge the straight portion of the pipe? If so, how does it work? How much can you enlarge the aluminum pipe before it would crack? Can you swage it enough so that the pipe can telescope over the header?

Thanks,

kez

Ken Hildreth · Feb 10, 2015

I haven't heard that word from anyone but Mike Shuttleworth Sr.; I think he says swedge though. Mike Shuttleworth has done that for me before. I varies by the thickness of the pipe as to how far you can go. Like a cooper can be taken out more than a cmb pipe as cmb pipes are thinner. Hope that helps. Both Mike sr. and Jr are on this forum and are excellent metal workers.

Ken

Mike Cathey · Feb 10, 2015

I used one for years on my pipes but found it was easier to get some 6061 tubing that headers will slide into and have it welded to my pipes. Swaging does make the wall thinner and prone to cracking, especially in installs where the pipe is not shock mounted. There is a guy near Seattle that will weld them up for $10 a pipe if you provide the material.

moparbarn · Feb 10, 2015

Tom Foley on here can weld them, also. He builds stainless & aluminum railings & towers for boats as his living, very good at it too (-;

FloridaScaleBoater · Feb 10, 2015

moparbarn said:
Tom Foley on here can weld them, also. He builds stainless & aluminum railings & towers for boats as his living, very good at it too (-;

+1 for Tom

Kez · Feb 10, 2015

Thanks all for your replies. The swaging tool I am talking about looks like this:http://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-1-swaging-tool-66750.html

As you have already guessed, one of the reasons I want to try swaging is to be able to telescope the pipe over the header without having to weld a sleeve over the pipe.

I have a .21 pipe made by ABC hobbies from Japan in the late 80's. I have found a home for it in a Sport 20. However the pipe looks too small for a .21. The ID of the straight section is only 7/16". I am not sure if it will work at all on a 21. Hence the idea of swaging it.

Actually if swaging works, I can repair a couple of carbs I bought used where the neck is crushed.

Mike, can you post a couple of pictures of your pipe that has been swaged?

Ken, thanks for the information. I will try to PM Mr Shuttleworth.

Thanks,

kez