Homemade Intercooler pipe bead tool

[Jeff99GS]

I wanted to share this in the new custom fab section.

(Colt4g63) Was the original poster of this so the credit goes to him.

You will need 1 Pair of standard size Vise Grips
a 2.5 inch Muffler clamp saddle, a large washer and a small welder.

Weld the muffler clamp saddle to the bottom of the vise grip jaw. Then weld the Washer to the top jaw of the Vise Grip.

 

[Jeff99GS]

I made myself a set of these bead rollers, and they work GREAT! I made my friend a custom fit short route out of the JDM sport universal pipe kit that was on ebay. Then afterward I beaded all the ends that I cut to fit.

Your hands gets a little tired from squeezing the vise grips though. Good work out!

 

[GreenGSX]

I like this idea. You should try to make a set to fit in a nice big 5" bench vise and take the stress off your hands.

 

[DougR]

DAMN! I Am making mine Tonight! Had to trim a few IC pipes from the SSAC kit. And been trying to figure out how I was ging to bead them. WOW! Thanks!

 

[kevingst]

The timing of this thread is perfect. I'll be making mine tomorrow.

 

[Jeff99GS]

Also remember if you are using 3" IC pipe, get a 3" Muffler clamp.

This tool works best with aluminum pipe.

 

[ove_98 TSI]

i made this also..but it is very very hard to bead stainless i ended up breaking the vise grips after i put them into the vise

 

[Jeff99GS]

i made this also..but it is very very hard to bead stainless i ended up breaking the vise grips after i put them into the vise

If you're going to try to bead stainless you need to adjust the tension on the vise grips to take a smaller bite. Then tighten it as you go to make the bead deeper.

 

[1slow97]

That is some nice info,Thanks for sharing..

 

[Backinajiffy12]

Did you put a beed lock on the intercooler?

 

[Jeff99GS]

The intercooler already had a rolled edge.

 

[Defiant]

Beaded Ends on I/C Pipes

 

[ihatedsms]

So once its clamped you spin the vice grips around the pipe?

 

[matthewdesigns]

i made this also..but it is very very hard to bead stainless i ended up breaking the vise grips after i put them into the vise

Your best bet to try to form stainless is going to be to heat the tubing to a dull cherry red before you use this tool. Overall it's going to be a big PITA in stainless unless it is less than 1.5mm thick. If it's really thin, like less than 1 millimeter, then you might be able do it cold.

So once its clamped you spin the vice grips around the pipe?

Nope. Clamp, unclamp, move over a little. Repeat.

 

[4pistons]

Man, that worked nice!!! Good info!!

Rick - '91 GSX

 

[slowgsr]

I run 26psi on the street and have no bead rolls on any of my piping and have never blown a coupler. I plan to make one of these tools and bead roll everything for next year once it sees more boost

Great idea.

 

[Colt4G63 also]

Awesome! I'm glad you guys like it. I made one for a member on here, "DSMunknown" and shipped it to him. If anyone doesn't have the recources to make their own, hit me with a PM.

 

[DSMunknown]

^ You still owe me feedback!

As I said in my rating, Dayo is a great guy to deal with. He made mine.


http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee330/Dayosgarage/0108091635.jpg
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee330/Dayosgarage/0108091634.jpg

 

[Colt4G63 also]

I'm sorry Anthony, I forgot to leave you feedback, or I guess I didn't really think of it. Anthony is a great guy to deal with too. He sent payment with paypal right away, and left me good feedback. Thanks man.

 

[spooln4fun]

Wonder if there is a way to put the washer on a bolt, and weld the bolt to the grip leaving the washer free to "spin" then perhaps you could clamp once, then spin the pipe if you have the strength

 

[nlzn]

any1 have a size on the washer they used?

 

[Empyrials]

i like this one... and i so need to build it

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[kottyking]

That's an awesome tool.

 

[99gst_racer]

FYI: I turned an extra set of vice grips into this tool a few weeks ago. This style of tool is only good for soft metals and/or thin wall piping. If trying to use it on 16 gauge (or thicker) SS, it will OWN your hand and will not crimp much of a bead.

 

[Russman1986]

Nice!