Tubing sizer?

[FighterCat57]

I need a tool to shrink the OD of a brass tubing. From 7mm to 1/4". I know they make them for bigger pipes. It's basically a sleeve that get's pressed on to the pipe to reduce it uniformly. Just the end cap of the tube, 1/2" or less.

Also an expander to expand 6mm to 1/4".

Neither is a big jump, but needs to be done.

Open to suggestions.

=)

[NativePaul]

When using my old and Fairly blunt tubing cutter I have noticed that it crushes the tube locally and I have to ream out the cut end to get it back up to the nominal size of the tube, to reduce it I would try replacing the cutting wheel on a tube cutter with a bearing then running it around the required area till its the size you need, annealing the tube first would make it easier.

How long a length do you need to expand? If its only short you could taper the end of a 1/4" drill blank and put it upright into a machine vice then put the tube in the chuck of a pillar drill, blowlamp the end of the tube till its cherry red then ram it down over the drill blank to form it to size, lifting it again before it cools and grabs the drill blank.

[m4a1usr]

Both the compression and expansion of those mentioned tubing sizes are not difficult. But to make it simpler and easier the question needing an answer is do you plan on annealing the ends or do you need them as hard as the rest of the length? Once annealed, you could modify a larger tubing cutter, sans the actual blade and roll it smaller. That give the diameter uniformity and making things larger is never a problem. Several ways to accomplish that from pressing in something to using an internal expander. It just depends on if you can anneal the ends.

John

[FighterCat57]

Just need to size the 1/4" or so end that goes into the strut for a snug fit.

I ended up with a 1/4" strut ID and have 6mm and 7mm od brass. Need to make them fit.

[LarrysDrifter]

If you have a 1/4" ID strut, why not get a 1/4" piece of brass and sand the end down to fit the strut?

[FighterCat57]

If you have a 1/4" ID strut, why not get a 1/4" piece of brass and sand the end down to fit the strut?

The strut works great with 1/4" brass. The issue is my stock is 6mm and 7mm.

[LarrysDrifter]

Not being a smartass by any means, but why not go to the LHS and get a length of "standard" (non metric) brass tubing? Its very inexpensive. Or, get it here at the OSE store.

[FighterCat57]

Not being a smartass by any means, but why not go to the LHS and get a length of "standard" (non metric) brass tubing? Its very inexpensive. Or, get it here at the OSE store.

I have more than a hundred of these struts setup with tubing and liner and cable... lol. I can get the brass easy, but then the liners and flex shafts don't fit.

So just figured I could size the ends of them and call it a day. I'll probably just have a reducer fitting machined. Or order a new batch of struts with the 7mm ID. =)

[FighterCat57]

Both the compression and expansion of those mentioned tubing sizes are not difficult. But to make it simpler and easier the question needing an answer is do you plan on annealing the ends or do you need them as hard as the rest of the length? Once annealed, you could modify a larger tubing cutter, sans the actual blade and roll it smaller. That give the diameter uniformity and making things larger is never a problem. Several ways to accomplish that from pressing in something to using an internal expander. It just depends on if you can anneal the ends.

John

I think that's the solution. Heat. I can probably use an old drill bit to accomplish the expansion and like you say a tubing "reducer". lol...

I just didn't know if there was a tool made for the job. I know they have them for larger tubing. =)

[Doug Smock]

http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com/crimpers-hvac-tools/22142.html

It doesn't hurt to have a flaring block to hold the tube while you swage it.

http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com/plumbing-tools/23549.html?keyword=flaring+tool

The block may or may not work for your application.
Good luck,
Doug