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Tail pipe expander question

Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 7:22 pm
by phildidit
Has anyone used a tail pipe expander from any autoparts stores? I have two pipes that are both 2 3/8" and I want to flare one to go in the other. The pipes are fence corner posts that are 16 guage.

Re: Tail pipe expander question

Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 7:46 pm
by tomcat
i would take it to a muffler shop if you have one close.

Re: Tail pipe expander question

Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 8:25 pm
by lazyuniondriver
Yes they work well. In fact, I wound up buying one because I found the chain cutter just as useful to have around as the pipe expanders. I was wasting too much time running up to auto parts to borrow theirs when I needed to fit pipe.

Ran around $75.00 if I remember. The set does have a lifetime warranty, the only catch is you have to ship the broken piece to TX. for exchange, which I did have to do with the large expander. I was probably asking too much of it when one expansion piece snapped.

Re: Tail pipe expander question

Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 1:04 am
by Scrivet
Take it to a muffler shop with a hydraulic expander. My experience with the manual version is they are good for making the pipe round, not so good at expanding. Hard to hang on to the pipe and you end up making the expansion funnel shaped.

Re: Tail pipe expander question

Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 8:55 am
by tnestell
I have mig welded and gas welded exhaust pipes.

Re: Tail pipe expander question

Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 10:01 am
by John *.?-!.* cub owner
I was going to make the same suggestion as Scrivet. Your fence post pipe is heavier gauge than most tail pipes, and the manual expander may not work well. The hydraulic rigs that the muffler shops have will handle much heavier pipe. I know you did not ask about this part, but in my area the muffler shops will do an exhaust job including labor cheaper than what I can buy the parts at a parts store.

Re: Tail pipe expander question

Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 10:06 am
by Barnyard
Why not get one end crimped so it will go into the other like chain link fence top rail?

Re: Tail pipe expander question

Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 9:36 pm
by birddog
We had some at work and they were absolutely worthless for expanding. Worked OK for making a bent end round again.

Re: Tail pipe expander question

Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 8:27 am
by Jeff Silvey
Take it to a muffler shop it will make it easier on yourself. Just my 2c.

Re: Tail pipe expander question

Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 7:25 pm
by phildidit
I found a local muffler shop , he said he could do it for a couple of bucks. we shall see if it works.