It broke because he used it wrong. That type of expander has to be fully inserted into the pipe. If it's only partially inserted, like he did, the stress of expansion is concentrated on the center of the steel bars. They are not designed for that, and they will break. If it's inserted all the way in, the stress will be on the round internal pushers, and it will work fine.
I had exactly the same experience and broke all three sizes in the case in a short time. Got a LISLE pipe expander from the US (which I should have done in the first place) and have stretched dozens of pipes since then without any problems. Thanks for the video. Cheers.
I've owned and used several sizes of the Lisle expanders as well as many other Lisle tools for years and never had an issue with them. They're not very expensive either.
@Saxson Jackman, I agree on the Lisle Pipe Stretcher Kit is really good as it can be used with an impact wrench to quickly stretch pipes. Collet sets expand pipes from 1-5/8 in. to 4-1/4 in. Turn 1-1/8 in. bolt with a 1/2 in. or 3/4 in it is sold at Home Depot for $153.88
Looks like it was damaged because u were using it on compromised pipe to begin with. The pipe had a severe ridge in it from the previous u-bolt, so when U applied pressure from the tool to expand it was all concentrated on the u-bolt ridge damaging the tool. Guarantee if u had used it on pipe that was round and not damaged it would have applied even pressure and worked fine.
It only broke like that because of the dent around the pipe from a crush clamp if it had even pressure from a good/new pipe it wouldn't have bent/broke
I'm pretty sure you must put the whole tool into the pipe. Not just to the second o ring, next would be grease it up, to allow easier slip. And last, heat the pipe. Unfortunately the oring will melt so that becomes a replacement part. I'm surprised they don't have a steel wound ring spring so that it can take the heet. I'm also surprised that they don't use an acme thread as it has greater lateral streagth
That tool failed because it was not inserted all the way into the pipe. The Snap-on one will allow you to insert only a portion of it into the pipe the way you did.
CC&Z Shouldn’t have to insert it all the way just because it’s not Snap-On. You should be able to use the tool in the same manner regardless who makes it, but your right about the quality of the material Snap-On’s Exhaust Expander is made of. I used my former Chrysler Foreman’s quite a bit when I worked with him at the dealership & that was a Bluepoint Expander and I used it in the same manner. No issues.
used one today and used a wrench and wprked fine. Impact is taking it to far where you are ruining it. i believe big one goes up to 3 1/2 not 4" so you go until the exhaust slides in.
Key thing with it is to fully insert it, as you see most them snap in the middle if you leave it partially out the end of the pipe, and i find impact wrenches are to much torque at once for them.....
I bought the harbor frieght ones used the large one 4 times the same thing happened but it's only 19 dollars so to me I can replace it if they won't exchange it
2:13, One time use tool or a tool that last 10 years or longer. Cheap tools have their place but the cheap tool choice aint so cheap in that situation.
It is normal for it to break !! big hands !!! you have not put grease, and with the impact wrench with the expander in the middle, wrongly placed, what do you think will happen? well what happened animal
Weld that sucker in. Yeah those expanders aren’t the greatest. I have the lisle 17350 kit along with harbor freight 10ton hydraulic pump with knockouts. The ram bolt threads right into the lisle kit. What you have to do is put the expander in stretch the pipe a little and than rotate and expand a little more to get it to size and round.
You used it wrong, it needs to be fully inserted into the pipe to be expanded, second it is not rated for use with impacts, supposed to use hand tools only...
Theramsey3 not true. Snap-on makes this same kit. You not supposed to go passed the neck so being 3/4 of the way in is normal & it can be used with an impact. I’ve done it time and time again. The threads held up fine. It was the cheap metal flats that broke.
@@JustinDowDIYcentralhighway so you are saying that that cheap tool you broke was made by snap on? You are comparing apples to oranges. They taste different because they are made to a different price point. The chinesieum of the one you broke needed to be fully inserted into the pipe and have hand tools used. It is a metal quality and heat treating issue. I agree if you HAD used a snap on in this manner it would not have failed in this manner because it is rated for what you did to the Chinese tool that was not rated for what you did to it. If I am wrong about your cheap tool being impact rated or rated to only be inserted 3/4 of the way into the pipe please provide me with a link or documentation, I will gladly admit I was wrong and apologize appropriately.
If you find a good expander please let me know. Ive used Lisle, Evertough, OTC, and a cheap Amazon one. The amazon one was the best as they were all 1/4 time use but Amazon one was 1/8th the price lol I even tried heating pipe, cutting slits in pipe, and both heating and cutting. All broke before finishing first flare.
It’s because as far I saw how it is design, you’re using it wrong, the all tool should be inside when U try to expand the pipe, if half of the tool is inside , the part inside will expand less than the one outside because of the restriction, and then finally break ! I tried mysielf with the all tool inside and it never broke.
Me too. It's because no matter what I do, things don't fit right, it either leaks, or ends up coming apart regardless of how tight I make the clamps. Luckily I don't do it for a living and avoid it like a plague on my own car.
I dont think I would trust anything like that expander to work at all like that. I have used them to straighten out clamp ridges so pipes can slide back in. Rent it from AZ. It HELPS a lot to take a hammer and whack on the indents and tighten again and whack again to straighten out the ridges. Dont use an impact wrench. Use a hammer and socket wrench
No grease. Using an impact on something that shouldn't be impacted. Lastly, you're trying to straighten out a crease which will certainly cause it to fail, if you'd have not put the weakest point of the tool at that crease it'd have held up a lot better.
The whole of the large end of the tool is supposed to be inside the pipe. Mainly just need to make sure those 2 rings and as much of the pieces that expand are inside the pipe. I have one of those as well.. But I paid I bit more than $30 for it.. :) I bet the Mostbest brand Expander tool is made from Chinesium. And not the good Chinesium.
Those suck! They only attempt to make a tube round again, and if you put real power to them, they break as demonstrated. The Lisle exhaust expander #34400 actually works, it has a slower ramp rate & you need extender collets for different size pipes... But this tool will actually stretch the pipe, with a little practice you can make nice slip joints... You can buy a set that will work with tubes up to 4.25" They also make proper tools to make the tube round again for clamping #32509 & #32750. (What you did here) Less throw-away tools.
It broke because u didn't have it all the way in. With that being said ones designed like this are garbage no matter who makes it. My suggestion is look at the Astro Pneumatic 78835, there are other companies that have a design like the Astro one, not sayin Astro made the design but just using it as ref to the style to buy. Lisle and the main tool truck companies should have one with the same design.
just a thought, maybe cut a slit in on each side so it requires less force to open. heat would be an option as well. i'm thinking i'll take that gamble as i can always return it to hf, where i'll get one, if it's it's junk.
I feel that you pushed the Tool further than it would handle it's limits.. I don't think it would have broken down if you used it on a Import Vehical than a American made car. That's jus my opinion...
Heat the pipe with oxy or a heat gun. Lubricate with wd-40 or rubber grease, Not moly as it will eventually deteriorate the o rings. Doing 3 turns and rotate, rinse and repeat till you reach the size. Make sure over 50% of the tool is inside at all times. You didn't rotate the tool and over tightened it. Tool works fine.
MadeInUSA Reviews Actually J Young Already did a Review of the Exhaust Expander from Harbor Freight and it took a Crap 1 time use as well. Go see it for yourself
Maybe because you shouldn't be a mechanic and using the tool wrong it's supposed to be all the way in the pipe not something was sticking out that's why the tool bent on you
Not supposed to used with an impact gun and you are supposed to have it completely inserted...if u leave some it outside of the pipe it is going to break duh.......LEARN HOW TO USE THE TOOL RIGHT INSTEAD OF SAYING ITS JUNK!!!!!
Did you follow the instructions? You're not supposed to use it with impact guns! You can also not use wrenches. Hand tighten only! j/k. 🤣 What a piece of junk
It broke because he used it wrong. That type of expander has to be fully inserted into the pipe. If it's only partially inserted, like he did, the stress of expansion is concentrated on the center of the steel bars. They are not designed for that, and they will break. If it's inserted all the way in, the stress will be on the round internal pushers, and it will work fine.
Omg he was to violent using that tool.greace it up n use it manually with ease
Great advice
Agree 100% 🤙
If you pack the tool with grease, insert it all the way in and hand tighten with a breaker bar they work great.
Exactly works a treat grease it n use it manually with ease
Well some timrs U dont have that much space...
I had exactly the same experience and broke all three sizes in the case in a short time. Got a LISLE pipe expander from the US (which I should have done in the first place) and have stretched dozens of pipes since then without any problems. Thanks for the video. Cheers.
I bought the Lisle brand, it’s the same design as the Blue Point. Works great, no issues 💯
Lisle Tools are really official alot of ppl dont speak or talk much on them but when they are mentioned only good things are spoken on the Brand
Never had a Lisle tool I didn't like.
@@adventurous63 they are really official like that Great Quality
I've owned and used several sizes of the Lisle expanders as well as many other Lisle tools for years and never had an issue with them. They're not very expensive either.
I bought one of those are Sears about 25 years ago and still have it. Still work too.
@Saxson Jackman, I agree on the Lisle
Pipe Stretcher Kit is really good as it can be used with an impact wrench to quickly stretch pipes. Collet sets expand pipes from 1-5/8 in. to 4-1/4 in. Turn 1-1/8 in. bolt with a 1/2 in. or 3/4 in it is sold at Home Depot for $153.88
Bringing back the stache! Don’t think I don’t see you brother, right on!
J B 😂😂🍻
I have used astro pneumatic for years, identical to lisle but cheaper and it has not let me down yet.
there's been a couple times where i through some heat on the pipe that i'm expanding and it seemed help.
Looks like it was damaged because u were using it on compromised pipe to begin with. The pipe had a severe ridge in it from the previous u-bolt, so when U applied pressure from the tool to expand it was all concentrated on the u-bolt ridge damaging the tool. Guarantee if u had used it on pipe that was round and not damaged it would have applied even pressure and worked fine.
You are correct, the tool did not expand the entire pipe just the part where the U clamps was.
It only broke like that because of the dent around the pipe from a crush clamp if it had even pressure from a good/new pipe it wouldn't have bent/broke
The fine print said "Use on aluminum only." 😂
I'm pretty sure you must put the whole tool into the pipe. Not just to the second o ring, next would be grease it up, to allow easier slip. And last, heat the pipe. Unfortunately the oring will melt so that becomes a replacement part. I'm surprised they don't have a steel wound ring spring so that it can take the heet. I'm also surprised that they don't use an acme thread as it has greater lateral streagth
OTC...makes a great kit....and Astro makes the same kit rebranded....both are heavy duty...and make nice expansion joints.....
Whats the otc part number cant find if
@@TheChrismanis1791 .......Astro model #78835.....I have the astro expander it's the same as the otc....
Great video brotha keep the camera rollin bringing us tried and true info
That tool failed because it was not inserted all the way into the pipe. The Snap-on one will allow you to insert only a portion of it into the pipe the way you did.
CC&Z Shouldn’t have to insert it all the way just because it’s not Snap-On. You should be able to use the tool in the same manner regardless who makes it, but your right about the quality of the material Snap-On’s Exhaust Expander is made of. I used my former Chrysler Foreman’s quite a bit when I worked with him at the dealership & that was a Bluepoint Expander and I used it in the same manner. No issues.
used one today and used a wrench and wprked fine. Impact is taking it to far where you are ruining it. i believe big one goes up to 3 1/2 not 4" so you go until the exhaust slides in.
Lisle works great, but it fell apart and I'm having to replace the o-rings and TRY to get it back together properly
Mine broke as well. Different brand because the hex potion was different. Mine striped out the threads before it moved the pipe.
Key thing with it is to fully insert it, as you see most them snap in the middle if you leave it partially out the end of the pipe, and i find impact wrenches are to much torque at once for them.....
Question, of which I probably know the answer... Did you follow manufacturers instructions, or did you use your ESP on how it should work?
I'm sure insert all the way is correct use?
I bought the harbor frieght ones used the large one 4 times the same thing happened but it's only 19 dollars so to me I can replace it if they won't exchange it
Wonder if you read the instructions of the expander. Most of them are not good for impact drive.
2:13, One time use tool or a tool that last 10 years or longer. Cheap tools have their place but the cheap tool choice aint so cheap in that situation.
It is normal for it to break !! big hands !!! you have not put grease, and with the impact wrench with the expander in the middle, wrongly placed, what do you think will happen? well what happened animal
The lugie was amazing.
Weld that sucker in. Yeah those expanders aren’t the greatest. I have the lisle 17350 kit along with harbor freight 10ton hydraulic pump with knockouts. The ram bolt threads right into the lisle kit. What you have to do is put the expander in stretch the pipe a little and than rotate and expand a little more to get it to size and round.
My experience with it as well rotate about 45* and the pipe turns round with a mild second stretch.
Got the same tool from HF ,it broke ,but it was way easy to do the return or get a new one ya
!Very nice and elegant spitting! Da.
You used it wrong, it needs to be fully inserted into the pipe to be expanded, second it is not rated for use with impacts, supposed to use hand tools only...
Theramsey3 not true. Snap-on makes this same kit. You not supposed to go passed the neck so being 3/4 of the way in is normal & it can be used with an impact. I’ve done it time and time again. The threads held up fine. It was the cheap metal flats that broke.
@@JustinDowDIYcentralhighway so you are saying that that cheap tool you broke was made by snap on? You are comparing apples to oranges. They taste different because they are made to a different price point. The chinesieum of the one you broke needed to be fully inserted into the pipe and have hand tools used. It is a metal quality and heat treating issue. I agree if you HAD used a snap on in this manner it would not have failed in this manner because it is rated for what you did to the Chinese tool that was not rated for what you did to it.
If I am wrong about your cheap tool being impact rated or rated to only be inserted 3/4 of the way into the pipe please provide me with a link or documentation, I will gladly admit I was wrong and apologize appropriately.
Great video Justin keep up the good work I heard matco makes a decent one of them
Yep. I hadn't harbor freight exhaust pipe expander and it also broke first time
you don’t use impact guns. some might work with much grease on threads. Use it manually
I had a harbor freight one years ago. That stripped out on the first use. Didn’t get the job done.
Slim56 Yuppers. I saw J Young put one to the test. HFT Pittsburgh Fail
Got the job done
Casualties of war
Too much power on that Milwaukee cordless if you ask me!
That's what I think
Justin have you thought about doing any eastwood tool reviews? I dont hear much either way on their hand tools.
Haven't used Eastwood to be honest. So I don't have a good or bad opinion on them. I'll take a look over the weekend and see what they offer.
you have to make sure the entire expander is inserted or it will break.
It broke because you should put it in all the way
got one from harbor freight, broke the first time i used it, did nothing to the exhaust pipe at all.
If you find a good expander please let me know. Ive used Lisle, Evertough, OTC, and a cheap Amazon one. The amazon one was the best as they were all 1/4 time use but Amazon one was 1/8th the price lol I even tried heating pipe, cutting slits in pipe, and both heating and cutting. All broke before finishing first flare.
Maybe it’s not those tools, but the tool that’s using them…
Nice tool as long as you're using them on mild steel. As you found out: no go on stainless.
Good tip!
Thank you very much 4 this !
No Justin, you see, they're disposable. One time use, they work but only once.
It’s because as far I saw how it is design, you’re using it wrong, the all tool should be inside when U try to expand the pipe, if half of the tool is inside , the part inside will expand less than the one outside because of the restriction, and then finally break ! I tried mysielf with the all tool inside and it never broke.
I despise exhaust work. Not sure why, but I do
Me too. It's because no matter what I do, things don't fit right, it either leaks, or ends up coming apart regardless of how tight I make the clamps.
Luckily I don't do it for a living and avoid it like a plague on my own car.
I just give the pipe a dirty look and it expands.
Gmguy3car 🤣🤣🤣🍻
Great Video
I had hf expander do the same. A real pos.
I dont think I would trust anything like that expander to work at all like that. I have used them to straighten out clamp ridges so pipes can slide back in. Rent it from AZ. It HELPS a lot to take a hammer and whack on the indents and tighten again and whack again to straighten out the ridges. Dont use an impact wrench. Use a hammer and socket wrench
Great info👍🔧🍺
It does specifically say, in the instructions, not to use impact tools on the expander sooo lol
No grease. Using an impact on something that shouldn't be impacted. Lastly, you're trying to straighten out a crease which will certainly cause it to fail, if you'd have not put the weakest point of the tool at that crease it'd have held up a lot better.
I see this tool every time I go into HF. Anyone know the price? I’m curious after watching this.
2:47 LMFAO! Thanks for the heads up on this crappy tool Justin.
Nice video
That was 100% operator error
So it’s a “two” use tool. 😂 thanks for the heads up
The whole of the large end of the tool is supposed to be inside the pipe. Mainly just need to make sure those 2 rings and as much of the pieces that expand are inside the pipe. I have one of those as well.. But I paid I bit more than $30 for it.. :) I bet the Mostbest brand Expander tool is made from Chinesium. And not the good Chinesium.
Quality wins over pricing - MOST TIMES.
I stripped the cheap bastard I bought. I wish I could find a different portable solution like a hydraulic version.
www.amh.ca/english/benderproducts.html
Those suck! They only attempt to make a tube round again, and if you put real power to them, they break as demonstrated. The Lisle exhaust expander #34400 actually works, it has a slower ramp rate & you need extender collets for different size pipes... But this tool will actually stretch the pipe, with a little practice you can make nice slip joints... You can buy a set that will work with tubes up to 4.25"
They also make proper tools to make the tube round again for clamping #32509 & #32750. (What you did here)
Less throw-away tools.
Haha same thing happened to me. Didn’t even work once
It broke because u didn't have it all the way in. With that being said ones designed like this are garbage no matter who makes it. My suggestion is look at the Astro Pneumatic 78835, there are other companies that have a design like the Astro one, not sayin Astro made the design but just using it as ref to the style to buy. Lisle and the main tool truck companies should have one with the same design.
just a thought, maybe cut a slit in on each side so it requires less force to open. heat would be an option as well. i'm thinking i'll take that gamble as i can always return it to hf, where i'll get one, if it's it's junk.
I feel that you pushed the Tool further than it would handle it's limits.. I don't think it would have broken down if you used it on a Import Vehical than a American made car. That's jus my opinion...
Your supposed to use a ratchet so it doesn't over do it
Was it because it wasn't in all the way?
I was wondering the same thing.
billrowe4r Unsure. I put it in as far as I thought it needed to be. 🍻👍
AutoZone maybe would have one
you were too calm, I might have been swearing.
Well.. It was only $30 and I've had it for over 3 years. Maybe it's like milk and it goes stale from sitting. lol
@@JustinDowDIYcentralhighway as long it doesn't give you the runs
Heat the pipe with oxy or a heat gun. Lubricate with wd-40 or rubber grease, Not moly as it will eventually deteriorate the o rings. Doing 3 turns and rotate, rinse and repeat till you reach the size. Make sure over 50% of the tool is inside at all times. You didn't rotate the tool and over tightened it. Tool works fine.
U voided the warranty by beating it... 😂
John Wolf I don’t think it has a warranty. $30 for 3 pc set. Probably 30 day warranty. Too late now.🤣🤣
Amazon has probably like 500 choices with reviews lol, Next Video * Harbor Freight Exhaust expander Is the best! 😂
MadeInUSA Reviews Actually J Young Already did a Review of the Exhaust Expander from Harbor Freight and it took a Crap 1 time use as well. Go see it for yourself
Tive o msm problema
😂😂😂 you didn’t use it rite 😂😂😂 but what do I know
Try harbor Freight one lol
MR SOMTHIN BASIC J Young did a Video awhile back. The Harbor Freight Expander is also a one time use.
( 🤔 USER ERROR 🤦🏽♂️ ) that’s why I don’t take my car to mechanics anymore cause they never do the job right.
Maybe because you shouldn't be a mechanic and using the tool wrong it's supposed to be all the way in the pipe not something was sticking out that's why the tool bent on you
USER ERROR! NO GREASE AND NOT IN FAR ENOUGH!!!
OH SHE ALSO SAID THIS TOO!!!
It's your fault for not inserting it far enough.
Lol it made a good hammer
Harber freight
El Panda Mechanic Also garbage. One time use. J Young did a Video awhile back.
@@JustinDowDIYcentralhighway you think Northern tools sell one
Last...... USA Stock.... made in China ?
In the words of AvE, GAABAGE!
Not supposed to used with an impact gun and you are supposed to have it completely inserted...if u leave some it outside of the pipe it is going to break duh.......LEARN HOW TO USE THE TOOL RIGHT INSTEAD OF SAYING ITS JUNK!!!!!
Cheap 🍻😂😂😂😂😂 that’s all I got to say
It's really old
I don't think it's meant to be used with an impact gun.
👍
Did you follow the instructions? You're not supposed to use it with impact guns! You can also not use wrenches. Hand tighten only!
j/k. 🤣 What a piece of junk