Has anyone used pie-cuts because they were too cheap for mandrel bends? I have considered doing this and have tools. I can lay down an ugly *** weld but it is solid and will hold, just was wondering how difficult it is to do. Theoretically just figure out the angles cut and weld rigth?

 

Pie cuts are common and cheap.
http://www.homemadeturbo.com/forum/i...?topic=79775.0
That should help.

 

I did pie cuts for dual 2.5 on my tbird a while back. it turned out ok, but mandrel would have been better.

 

thx for the link cjernigan. I was considering getting an ebay kit but i'm going to need some U-pipes and funky bends with the SAAB intercooler. I was planning on dunking the post-welded bends in some water with one end taped to test for leaks, would this be ok as long as i get most of the water out after testing?

 

use mineral spirits for testing. Pour some in the pipe, if there is a crack, it will pour out immediately.

 

si senor

 

i have done pie cuts, but i have a gasless mig and just a saw zaw. i will just buy bends next time. they work, but took forever and they look like **** with the flux core splatter everywhere

 

i'll have splatter everywhere too, but i have a dewalt chop saw for clean cuts and can use a grinder to cleanup the welds a bit

 

Also use a wire brush in a drill to clean up your welds, works amazingly well. I would practice your welding skills too before doing this. I went to the library and got a couple books on welding theory, and that went a long way. Makes learning more productive. +1 for wearing eye and face protection, leather gloves, etc.

 

well i can get about 10 ft. for $16 so i'll have plenty to practice on. As for protection it is still a little scary wondering if this is the moment when the battery in my auto-darkening helmet will die Does a workbench vice help in the process or should i just tack it and move on before fully welding?

 

definately tach everything up and test fit your pipes before fully welding them out. I do 4 tachs 90* apart. If you just start laying a beed it will contract and pull, misalighning your pipes. You can put one tach, then tweak it, then tach on opposite side, then make sure it looks good and put another tach or two, then move on. Get all you pipes testfitted and good to go, then go back and weld them out. I have a SS welding table I use for welding, but just whatever. I used to weld on a concrete slab.