Hi all
Does anyone know of a source of standard parts that could be used to hold 2" pieces of tube by their inner bore? Maybe some sort of spring expanding mandrel?? It would form part of a fixture for welding.
Regards Rob Hammond
For 2" round tubing, which is typical auto exhaust pipe diameter, try to obtain a manual expanding/flaring device. The normal purpose is to bell the tubing end to slip over another section of the same pipe, then secure with a U-bolt. In this case, less force would be required - just enough to hold it firmly without expanding it. The device consists of two metal cones pointing toward each other - hole down the central axis contains a threaded section which draws the cones together. Between the two cones is a segmented sleeve which increases in diameter as the cones are pulled together. Check with the local muffler repair shop. They will probably have one which is hydraulically powered. If need be, order the whole unit or just take measurements and make one up.
Plumbers have a rubber plug device which inflates to seal pipe, but will not likely withstand welding temperatures.
Rob,
How a about (2) 45deg metal plugs. >
--How long are the tube pieces? If they're just short bits you intend to turn on a lathe you might try the expanding mandrel sets offered by, IIRC, Breakheart Tool. You can find them in catalogs like MSC, etc.
Look at he end of the device (I can't remember what it is called) that holds bicycle handlebars to the fork (handlebar stem?). It has an angle cut and a matching nut that wedges sideways when tightened. Maybe you could use something like this.
Thanks folks.
My description was a bit misleading. The workpieces are 2" long, 1/4" wall, 5/8" i.d. extruded 6082 aluminium.
In message , steamer writes
What kind of welding is going to be done?
I would hold work like this on an internally expanding 5C collet. If it's a one-off thing and you don't want to spend the money on a 5C fixture then simply turn a piece of steel to be a slip fit into the bore of the tube, and then slit the end of it down a ways. Drill and tap for an expander bolt.
How much force is going to be on the part during the welding, could you just drop it over the stub and then weld, with no clamping at all?
Jim
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