A tip for bending custom exhuast pipes I happen to stumble upon

Hawk312 · #1 12-20-2002, 09:20 AM

Typically, most of us, when bending our own exhuast out of aluminum tubing, use smaller diameter tubing inside the pipe we are bending to keep it from kinking. I was messing around with solder, trying to bend a set of headers for the project I am working on, and just out of curiousity, slid some into some of the tubing I have lying around. I tried bending the tubing then, and to my surprise, the tubing didn`t kink at all. Some of the bends I made were close to 90º. Plus it is much easier to bend since solder is sl flexible.
Just thought I`d share. This will make custom exhausts and rolll cages much easier for me.

Vegetta · #2 12-20-2002, 01:15 PM

Good tip. I'll try that for some street cars I'm working on. Esp the F150.

Tip of my own...

If you want to mould/shape/bend parts, you've GOT TO get a heat gun. They're like small hair-dryers about the size of a small cordless drill and put out 20x the heat. I use'em for moulding fenders to fit larger rims and/or drag tires, as well as bending custom 4-1 headers. Be carefull not to use the gun on the part too long, else they thing will melt.

MikeDeuce · #3 12-20-2002, 04:53 PM

Also try using sand in the tubing to avoid kinks.

Toksin · #4 12-20-2002, 05:48 PM

Sweet...this will make things much much much much mucho easier

primera man · #5 12-21-2002, 01:44 AM

Excellant tip !!...i've always used sand. Have to give this a try

Vegetta · #6 12-21-2002, 03:55 AM

These tips also work well when building scratch-build roll cages.

magicmanjk808 · #7 12-21-2002, 04:53 AM

thanks for the tip. i gotta give this a try.

thizishkenny · #8 12-21-2002, 09:52 AM

So what was it that your suppose to use now?

fullbloodchop01 · #9 12-21-2002, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Vegetta
Tip of my own...

If you want to mould/shape/bend parts, you've GOT TO get a heat gun. They're like small hair-dryers about the size of a small cordless drill and put out 20x the heat. I use'em for moulding fenders to fit larger rims and/or drag tires, as well as bending custom 4-1 headers. Be carefull not to use the gun on the part too long, else they thing will melt.

where can i get a heat gun? anbd how much do they cost?

hiver77 · #10 12-22-2002, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fullbloodchop01

where can i get a heat gun? anbd how much do they cost?

One use of heatgun that I know of is to shrink wire insulation (heat-shrink tubing), so I would try Radio-Shack or stores that sell electronic components (not home electronics but the nitty-gritty component stores).

Home Depot? Dont if you have Orchard Supply Hardware in Connecticut.

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