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Thread: How to expand copper tube?
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16th Oct 2020, 07:46 AM #1New Member
- Join Date
- Oct 2020
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- USA
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- 1
How to expand copper tube?
3/4-inch copper tube is commonly used in USA for carrying water in buildings and homes. Cheap and plentiful.
I have a non-plumbing application where I need to expand a few inches of one end of a length of tubing.
Nominal 3/4 inch size tubing is 0.785-inch I.D. and I need to expand this just a hair to 0.787.
The I.D. needs to be expanded evenly to accept a cylindrical 20mm slug (which measures 0.787). How to accomplish this? I don't want to drill this out as I want to maintain the full wall strength. The "slug" is precision and needs to be a slip-fit so can't just hammer it in.
Any suggestions welcome.
Thanks.
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16th Oct 2020, 08:25 AM #2Novice
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- Sep 2014
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- Elimbah Qld
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- 24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFOTxT1qkLk
you could make one like this
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16th Oct 2020, 08:29 AM #3Mechanical Butcher
- Join Date
- Oct 2004
- Location
- Southern Highlands NSW
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- 1,894
It might work to make a tool of slightly bigger diameter to push into your pipe, of polished smooth steel, lubricated.
The pipe end should be soft annealed.
Maybe for the length of yours, a cylinder of slightly more than finished OD will help keep the shape.
It could be split at one end to grip the tube.
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16th Oct 2020, 08:41 AM #4Senior Member
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- Nov 2019
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- Brisbane
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- 452
Expanding copper tube
Hello from BC.
Google roller tube expander. They are used to expand copper tubes in model steam boilers. There are a few articles on building them. I have bought some from India and they look to be of good quality. It will be hard to expand just enough and not lock the tube to your die.
Regards
BC
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16th Oct 2020, 07:22 PM #5
Hi Guys,
I've made tube expanders similar to those in the video, and used them on both copper and aluminium tubes. They are easy to make and using mild steel for a one or two off usage, throw away when done.Best Regards:
Baron J.
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