Tailpipe Expander...
Tailpipe Expander... Im in the market for a good tailpipe expander. I mainly work with 2.250" to 3.000" exhaust pipe, and would prefer one tool to be able to work with all of the sizes. Does anyone have any suggestions on a good tool for the job ? thanks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
I used the one from HF that goes from 2 to like 3.25 pipe. I used it on 2.5 the other day and it worked ok. Dont stick the whole thing in the pipe or you will be chunking it in the trash. Ask me how I know 
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What I would do is rent the one at autozone. When you rent it they charge you the price of the tool. If you use it and really like it, just keep the tool. If you use it and it sucks then just return it and get the credit back on the rental. I have used the rental one before in combination with a good impact gun and it worked pretty well.
TECH Resident
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 781
Likes: 0
From: Taxme, Ohio
I think I know how you know. I destroyed mine with a box end wrench using moderate hand force. Stretching a few inches at a time may have saved the tool and $20.
Don't waste your money on any of those, especially if you wanting to use it on stainless steel.
IMO, try and find a used/cheap hydraulic one.
I have a HF one. It does NOT expand pipe. All it's good for is sorta "getting back to round" the first inch or so of a semi-crushed pipe. If the pipe has any sort of thickness to it (aka "well made"), the HF unit will not work, not even with an impact gun attached to it.
If it's a really thin cheap piece of exhaust tubing, it might make it round again. Don't expect miracles from a $20 piece of made-from-pot-metal tubing expander.
I've had better luck taking the exhaust piece to Midas and slipping a guy ten bucks during his lunch hour.
If it's a really thin cheap piece of exhaust tubing, it might make it round again. Don't expect miracles from a $20 piece of made-from-pot-metal tubing expander.
I've had better luck taking the exhaust piece to Midas and slipping a guy ten bucks during his lunch hour. 