Tailpipe Expander???

[cattle]

Has anyone ever used or have any kind of experience what so ever with this tailpipe expander? Does it work?

http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/kd-exhaust-tailpipe-expander-1-716-2-pipe-p-13643.aspx

 

[gahrajmahal]

They have similar ones that that involve a threaded center rod you tighten with a wrench that work well. Hard to be precise when bopping with a hammer is involved.

 

[jrevans]

I have one. It works OK.

There are flats on the shaft to accomodate a wrench. I have have never needed to use a hammer except to place it in a flattened pipe end.

Jim

 

[KNS Autosport]

I have the Lisle one and it really works well

 

[35mastr]

I prefer this model. Can be done in small increments and works like a pipe cutter. http://images.google.com/imgres?img...E-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ADRA_en&sa=N&start=40&um=1

 

[Bender78]

I have the one from HF. It works fine.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=37354

 

[jonny o]

I "rent" a threaded one from advanced when I need it... works very well to get the clamp dimples out of pipe and pull an od-to id fit.

 

[mdoolittle]

I have used several and found this style works the best. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM187899614P?keyword=tailpipe+expander

 

[tfi racing]

I have the imitation(Princess Auto) Lisle one as well,works great with the impact gun,can't imagine doing pipe work without one.

 

[Joe69]

I have the one from HF. It works fine.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=37354

I have the same one. It works fine now that I have replaced the nut with a grade 8 nut, and replaced the o-rings with better quality ones. The original nut and o-rings were junk.

Joe

 

[Torque1st]

Just remember to grease up the working parts with a good HP grease.

 

[e-tek]

Just remember to grease up the working parts with a good HP grease.

Tailpipe expander? grease up the working parts?

I guess what a couple men do in the privacy of their own garage is of no concern to me....

 

[D.J.]

I remember using both the Lisle 32500 and the K&D exhaust styles in the 60's and 70's When my dad ran a service station and we did exhaust work. Both worked fine for us back then, and I assume they would still to this day.
________
Blonde Cams

 

[Torque1st]

May I introduce Ben Dover?

 

[Mattlt]

Anyone ever seen one that would be small enough to swage 1/2 - 3/4 EMT conduit? So you could put pieces together like tent poles?

I think this would be a really handy tool.

 

[RobSmith]

Anyone ever seen one that would be small enough to swage 1/2 - 3/4 EMT conduit? So you could put pieces together like tent poles?

I think this would be a really handy tool.

I'm pretty sure you can buy threaded socket adapters for these sized conduits...they are screwed for safety reasons in the electrical side of things.

 

[vtx531]

I have the one from HF. It works fine.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=37354

I bought that one also and it broke the first time I tried to use it.

 

[Strouty]

I know this is an old thread, but it was here, no sense in starting a new one. I bought the NAPA professional series tailpipe expander, it was about $40. It was made by KD but in Taiwan. I thought I would try it out. It broke a small piece of one of the fingers off with my 3/8" ratchet. Then I tried the impact and that destroyed what was left of it. It actually took the threads out of the adjustment nut. I think it broke all but two fingers. I slit the pipe before trying this tool! I did not use heat due to the o rings being rubber. I would like to say that these type of expanders should only be used to round the pipe back to existing size. I did purchase a Lisle tailpipe stretching set for $189.

http://www.tooltopia.com/lisle-17350.aspx

That should let me change the ID to fit the OD of the next section. I will report back on the new tool when it comes in.

Here is another thread that discusses the tool I am getting. As well as other "expanders".

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25912&highlight=tailpipe+expander

 

[Torque1st]

Things just are not made like they used to be.

Like others here I used the hell out of those tools back in the 60-70's and they worked well. No heat or pipe splitting required.

 

[BigAl62]

I have used several and found this style works the best. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM187899614P?keyword=tailpipe+expander

This is the one I have and it works good. I used to have a hydraulic/air powered one from a shop I worked at that closed, but I gave it to my buddy who uses it almost daily.

 

[1320stang]

I know this is an old thread, but it was here, no sense in starting a new one. I bought the NAPA professional series tailpipe expander, it was about $40. It was made by KD but in Taiwan. I thought I would try it out. It broke a small piece of one of the fingers off with my 3/8" ratchet. Then I tried the impact and that destroyed what was left of it. It actually took the threads out of the adjustment nut. I think it broke all but two fingers. I slit the pipe before trying this tool! I did not use heat due to the o rings being rubber. I would like to say that these type of expanders should only be used to round the pipe back to existing size. I did purchase a Lisle tailpipe stretching set for $189.

http://www.tooltopia.com/lisle-17350.aspx

That should let me change the ID to fit the OD of the next section. I will report back on the new tool when it comes in.

Here is another thread that discusses the tool I am getting. As well as other "expanders".

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25912&highlight=tailpipe+expander

I rented one of those from AutoZone, it was brand new. Broke two fingers, I removed them and placed them opposite of each other to finish. They looked like pot metal inside, very grainy. I think my problem was using it on used pipe. I was trying to slip a new muffler inside the existing pipe and I believe the heat cycles hardened the old pipe.

 

[bobemmerich]

I ghave a Blue Point version of the one pictured from Lisle. probably the same manufacturer. Bought it about 20 yrs. ago off the SO truck. Works great (although the o-rings are getting old). One of the very few SO tools i still have.

 

[Strouty]

Things just are not made like they used to be.

Like others here I used the hell out of those tools back in the 60-70's and they worked well. No heat or pipe splitting required.

I guess not, If it was just the nut that went, I could understand it being the weak link so you don't break anything else, but when the fingers broke first, I realized that it truly was junk. I borrowed one from a buddy, but it didn't fit, so I had to cut the pipe back further to an area where it would slip into. I did that and it worked. I still can't wait for my new "stretcher" set. I think I may end up getting some of the other style as well just for making the pipes round in a pinch.

 

[Kev442]

Broke one HF one for each pipe I needed expanded. Job is done with one extra trip to HF. Would not recommend one.

 

[Torque1st]

I think my problem was using it on used pipe. I was trying to slip a new muffler inside the existing pipe and I believe the heat cycles hardened the old pipe.

Could be, but the old tools never seemed to have a problem on used pipe except for cracking usually due to thin spots from rust.

We replaced the O-ring on the tool once with a bunch of rubber bands for a quick fix. I liked the old tools with 3 or 4 O-rings.

 

[70redbee]

I have several sizes of these and 2 different types. They are both made by Lisle. One is just to remove the dents from the clamps and true up the roundness. The other is actually an expander to increase the inside diameter for slip joints. You need to keep them greased and cleaned for proper use. Mine are all the type that has a bolt to tighten the expanders and have never given me any problem, work great. Just as a side note the O rings are only there to keep the jaws together and lined up, if they go bad any O ring or rubber band of the correct size will work. Just remenber one size does not fit all.

 

[ket-tek]

Anyone know if one that is actually strong enough to expand 304 stainless steel? I've tried the HF and the autozone rental and both broke before budging the pipe.