Thread: Basic level question: How to expand the inside of a brass tube?

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/tube-expanding-tool

The brass may also be work hardened from the tube making process so it's probably a good idea to anneal the ends before you use an expander.

G'day Nyah,
Using a tube expander like the type suggested will do the job but you need to be careful when doing anything that stretches a metal like brass.
Brass tube is usually work hardened as a result of how it’s made so you will need to anneal the section you want to expand first or it will split.
To do this simply heat the first inch of the end you want to expand till it starts to turn red then let it cool down. You can quench it in water if you are in a hurry.
Don’t be tempted to expand it while its hot, brass is a hot short metal and it will probably tear if you try.
If you don’t have access to a tube expander you can manually work the tube over a mandrel of the correct diameter.
Of course you will need to make a mandrel first so you will need access to a lathe or get someone to make you one, it’s only a five minute job.
Hope this helps and welcome to the forum.
Cheers,
Greg.

Edit......Ooops, Bob beat me to it

Originally Posted by kwijibo99

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If you don’t have access to a tube expander you can manually work the tube over a mandrel of the correct diameter.
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Bunnings also used to sell a cheap mandrel based expander but I cannot find it on their website.

plumber usually has tube expander...but will it be the size you want?

they usually start at 1/2 inch and go up in 1/4 inch increments

fridgies on the other hand usually start at 3/8inch and go up in 1/8