tube alignment rings?

i taped an episode of Muscle Car on Spike a couple weeks ago where the guy was building some headers from scratch.
he was using "alignment rings" (as he called'em) but i can't find them anywhere,i looked at Summit and Speedway and all the header websites,but i came up with nothing...

 

what do they do? Hold the tubes at even spacing for welding?

 

I've seen them written about somewhere years ago, they also have a raised area in the center, I guess if you're good with the torch you use the ring as the filler?

 

I still dont get it.

 

they look like this

(gosh, why didn't yorgatron google header alignment rings?)

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?N=400390+316412&autoview=sku

 

so they go inside a joint of two lengths of tube? Kind of like the spacers for body work?

 

they go inside the joint, with a raised lip in the center that both tubes butt up against.

 

Great idea. As usual Squirrel takes the cigar

 

got it. thanks

 

Often you can weld stainless steel and other piping systems by using a consumable insert, often called an EB insert. You weld the root pass by fusing the consumable insert, which melts and flows to form a root pass of good geometry.

http://www.thefabricator.com/AluminumWelding/AluminumWelding_Article.cfm?ID=1173

 

This sounds like Gadgett of the Week. Many, many sets of Hand built Headers under my Belt and didn't know I needed them. What will they think of next to bleed you of more $$$$ ?
The Wizzard

 

heh...it's a crutch for us guys who don't have your skill!

 

OK Squirrel,PM your address and i'll send you a cigar

 

L.O.L. Not really Skilled just had a Grate Teacher (Russ Meeks) on my First set. Plus I really enjoy building them. If I can do it, anyone can.
The Wizzard

 

hey, how'd you find my picture on the internet?