Does ridgid make a PEX expander?
The ridgid 34152 is a Tube Expander Kit. This kit comes with 3/8-Inch, 1/2-Inch, 3/4-Inch and 1-Inch Heads and a case. This single-stage expander is designed to expand tubing for fast, accurate joints in soft copper, aluminum and soft steel tube without using fittings. The mechanism is free-floating and self-centering.
What is a tube expander?
Tube Expanders are rolling tube type expansion tools used for fixing and molding tubes to tube sheets in the manufacturing processes of heat exchangers such as boilers and condensers.
How do you calculate tube expansion percentage?
By subtracting “E” from the rolled diameter you determine the actual amount of expansion (tube wall reduction) on the inside diameter of your tube. This can be converted to a % of wall reduction by dividing the actual wall thickness (“B minus D”) . 130” into the amount of roll .
What is better crimp or cinch?
The stainless steel Cinch Clamps are stronger than the copper Crimp Rings. I know this from personal experience after working with frozen water lines. When the fitted connection freezes with water in the line it will cause the copper Crimp Ring to expand just enough to cause a leak when it thaws.
Why is tube expansion needed?
Tube Expanding is the art of reducing a tube wall by compressing the O.D. of the tube against a fixed container . . . To assure a proper tube joint, the tube wall must be reduced by a predetermined percentage. The following chart can be used for determining the correct tube wall reduction.
How do you expand boiler tubes?
Expanding The Tube To complete the tube rolling cycle and form a leak-proof joint, use a straight roll expander to re-roll each tube end. This will also smooth out any out-of-round holes in your tube sheet or any tube with uneven wall thickness.
Can you use a heat gun on PEX pipe?
Type A pex is the only one that can be unkinked by application of heat from a heat gun. But, it won’t improve the turn radius. Each size and type of pex has a minimum turn radius and you should be able to bend it to that without doing anything special.