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Hot Rods Hedman Header weld rings

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by boogeracng, Oct 25, 2020.

  1. boogeracng
    Joined: Feb 13, 2008
    Posts: 346

    boogeracng
    Member
    from Eureka,MO

    Several years ago, I used a product Hedman called "weld rings" or "spring rings" to fab the headers for my Willys. These things were (I think) stainless, they had a "springy" aspect to them that when compressed, they would fit INSIDE the tubing. They had a raised lip that kept the ends of the tubing at a weld perfect separation, (.020?) and a "lip" (maybe a 1/16") that extended into the tube.
    Well, I'm fabbing another set of headers, my leftovers are used up, and I can't locate them anywhere. I'm afraid Hedman discontinued them........anyone have any they would be willing to sell off, or another source for them other than Hedman? I'm working with 1 7/8" OD tubing. Any help appreciated.
     
    mitch 36 likes this.
  2. I've never heard of them but have built many a set. I generally buy all my product from S.P.D. Exhaust. I can only say I have never bought a better product as for over all quality. Also they are outstanding to deal with. Google them up and search all through there very extensive sight. They might be listed and I just don't know it.
     
  3. alanp561
    Joined: Oct 1, 2017
    Posts: 4,609

    alanp561
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Weld rings, Chill Rings, pretty much the same thing. Used them a lot on boiler tube welds. The edges of the rings are beveled with the center slightly wider than the ID of the tube. Outside edges are slightly smaller than the tube ID.
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  4. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 23,263

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    They seem to have disappeared from the market.

    I have taken to using these.
    https://www.trick-tools.com/Multi_Purpose_with_V_Pads_Small_Adjustable_PG635V_2039
    [​IMG]
     

  5. boogeracng
    Joined: Feb 13, 2008
    Posts: 346

    boogeracng
    Member
    from Eureka,MO

    AlanP561.....Yep, from your description, that sounds like them.......source?
     
  6. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 23,263

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    alanp561 likes this.
  7. 1946caddy
    Joined: Dec 18, 2013
    Posts: 2,059

    1946caddy
    Member
    from washington

    I don't have any extras for sale and mine are mild steel and not stainless.
    004.jpg 005.jpg
    hooker-header-alignment-sleeves.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2020
  8. [​IMG]
    Looks like a bunch of unnecessary nonsense to me.
     
  9. Casual 6
    Joined: May 25, 2008
    Posts: 290

    Casual 6
    Member
    from Great NW

    I used to use them too. But have looked for years for a replacement without success. HAMB had a thread as far back as 2006 looking for them: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/tube-alignment-rings.144297/

    The Imperial Weld Ring Co. would seem like a place to get them, but they don't have standard rings for exhaust sized tubing. They'll make specials, but cost lots more than the Hookers did.

    If anyone ever comes up with a real source, please post. They are very handy.
     
  10. alanp561
    Joined: Oct 1, 2017
    Posts: 4,609

    alanp561
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    lothiandon1940 and gimpyshotrods like this.
  11. Marty Strode
    Joined: Apr 28, 2011
    Posts: 8,796

    Marty Strode
    Member

    I'm with you Mike. I drill stainless hose clamps, to hold the sections together and tack weld at the holes. Also, to prevent weld run through, I have tried Solar Flux, with great results. IMG_4765.JPG IMG_4769.JPG IMG_5443.JPG
     
  12. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 20,404

    alchemy
    Member

    Marty what is weld run through? And what does the flux do?

    I'd either use some of the big clamps as shown above, make some hose clamps like Marty, or have an assistant hold them tight while I tack. No way I'd have the inside of my pipe filled with cludgey rings.
     
    bchctybob likes this.
  13. Marty Strode
    Joined: Apr 28, 2011
    Posts: 8,796

    Marty Strode
    Member

    You mix a small amount of the powder with alcohol, into a paste, and smear it inside the weld joints, before welding. It works well, to stop the weld from leaving a rough weld protruding on the inside of the pipe. It's more of a problem with stainless, than mild steel. Purging the pipe with argon, is another way to keep the joints smooth on the inside.
     
    Pist-n-Broke likes this.
  14. Exactly how I've done it for years and many sets. Yes you can hold a joint together on a bend, look at the front pipe underconstruction. Works very well and keeps the pipe true i.d. full length.
    A.M.X. Headers 006.jpg
    Here's all 8 pipes done and not yet welded to the Flanges and ready to get the inside welds cleaned up. That's called Extrude honing. Probably way past anything guys here would have done. Two reasons for it, clean flow and no hot spots.
    A.M.X. Headers 009.jpg
    Turbulence inside pipes costs ya Horse Power.
     
    Nostrebor likes this.
  15. Wow, you actually have them extrude honed. Thats cool
     
    Pist-n-Broke likes this.
  16. alanp561
    Joined: Oct 1, 2017
    Posts: 4,609

    alanp561
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    For those unfamiliar with purging a pipe or tube weld joint, you seal off the tubes a little way from the joints with paper, set your gap and I always used a needle like you would use for inflating a basketball or football. Because we were welding long boiler tubes, we used rice paper. It would dissolve when we ran water through the tubes to flush them. Flushing regular paper out of boiler tubes would result in a big soggy mess that may get stuck in the tubes.

    Put a Tee in your argon supply hose. One hose runs to your tig torch and the other runs to the needle. Stick the needle into the weld gap at the top, wait until the weld joint is flooded with argon and go to work.

    If you're not sure if the tube is flooded with argon, hold a lit match or lighter directly under the joint. If the flame goes out, you've got argon coming out of the joint and you're good to go
     
  17. alanp561
    Joined: Oct 1, 2017
    Posts: 4,609

    alanp561
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Beautiful workmanship.
     
    lothiandon1940 and Pist-n-Broke like this.
  18. alanp561
    Joined: Oct 1, 2017
    Posts: 4,609

    alanp561
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Chill ring. Allows you to adjust tube ends if not exactly square and sets gap. machined-weld-ring-1.jpg
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.

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