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| John-Som:
I would welcome the views and experience of members on the use of Cerrobond (USA) or Bendalloy (UK) for the forming of curved exhaust (muffler) systems. According to Strictly IC this alloy which melts below the boiling point of water supports thin wall tubing whilst been bent into curves. I was stopped in my tracks however when I discovered that the minimum order is for 500 gms at £40 plus £8 shipping costs. I do have a pipe bending tool which works fine on the copper tubing that we use on our steam engines but I am looking to shape 1/4" thin wall steel tubing which I feel will need internal support. Suggestions anyone ? John-Som |
| Jasonb:
Fill it with molten soft solder and melt it out afterwards, this is not ideal if you want to silver solder any of teh pipework after as the remaining traces of lead affect the joint. Jason |
| Bluechip:
John http://www.bendalloy.co.uk/page9.html Curiously enough that subject came up with some mates a few weeks ago. There is, apparently, some other stuff, resin based .. link above. Other than the link, I have no other info. No idea whatsoever what it's price/performance is. I have used odd sizes of Bowden cable, but it's hit and miss if it fits the bore of the tube. Used to have access to a m/cycle service dept. Often scrounged odd bits of speedometer/ brake etc. cable. Inners & outers. Sometimes lucky. Mostly not .. Dave BC |
| andyf:
I've heard all sorts of tales about bending piping like packing it with sand or even a finer powder like dry cement, or filling it with water and then freezing it. Dunno if any of them work. But are the bends of such a radius that one of these might help? http://www.holden.co.uk/displayProduct.asp?pcode=095.164 Andy |
| John-Som:
Jason The molten soft solder idea strikes me as a definite possibility well worth a try. I can imagine that it would be malleable in a similar way to the commercial, and very expensive, 'Bendalloy' option. Dave I like the notion of using speedo or bowden cable but I don't think they would allow the sort of tightish radii that this project calls for. Andy That pipe bender looks very promising in that there may be some freedom in varying the radius of curves. Perhaps combined with Jason's soft solder suggestion this could provide the answer I've been seeking. Thanks for all your help. John |
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