carcrazy19 Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 I want to learn how to make my own headers for a project I'm thinking about. I've tried youtube but I'm not finding anything. Would anyone know where I could find some how to videos or tutorials. Any advise would be appreciated. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON-T2 Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Pick up a copy of the new issue of Scale Auto. There is a how to by Ron Ramsay on making headers out of solder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High octane Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Pick up a copy of the new issue of Scale Auto. There is a how to by Ron Ramsay on making headers out of solder.But Ron doesn't say what size solder to use in that article. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ognib Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 I bent mine out of soft aluminum armature wire. size was determined by scaling down from 1:1 dimensions. I set up a bending jig...laid out & drilled the port spacing as well as drawing the angles for the tubes. All bends were made around a piece of dowel rod for consistency of shape. header on the bend jig. and on the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comp1839 Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 scratch built headers are difficult at best. they are a night mare at their worst. the amount of satisfaction will be dependent on the effort put forth. more effort ........better results. do your home work BEFORE you start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carcrazy19 Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 Are there resin casts made? If so, what would the venders name be?Thanks for the advise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10thumbs Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Hi Anthony, What scale do you have in mind? Some of the pics just above show a large scale model, like 1:8 or something. If you want 1:25, then the easiest way is to use 2mm solder wire. Super easy to bend,and these pretty much are a scale 2" pipe used for big block motors. Just you'll have to dip the solder core wire in hot water for a few minutes to let the flux leak out, then with an appropriate bit (read small) drill the soft metal end to seal the flux holes. Otherwise, in a warm environment, the flux will eventually leak out and the ends start to get really gummed up. A real mess. I've had great success with 1:25 header pipes using this method. Look here, several years back, still good; Hope you find what you're looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyjim Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Michaels carries aluminum rod. It's in the floral department and comes on a coil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lysleder Posted March 12, 2017 Share Posted March 12, 2017 Sometimes it is quite possible to use kit headers and modify to fit. The ones I used on this build, I found in the '67 MPC Malco Gasser kit. I had to make the pipes a little longer in order for them to reach out over the frame, and you can see the joint where I added a short piece of 2mm plastic rod. The only real scratching going on were the collectors, - and the long end pipes bent out of aluminum tubing but those were easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len Woodruff Posted March 12, 2017 Share Posted March 12, 2017 Good thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DumpyDan Posted March 12, 2017 Share Posted March 12, 2017 Ya very good, thanks for all the info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carcrazy19 Posted March 12, 2017 Author Share Posted March 12, 2017 Thanks for the tips and its good to see that this thread can help others who want to build there own headers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carcrazy19 Posted March 12, 2017 Author Share Posted March 12, 2017 Hi Anthony, What scale do you have in mind? Some of the pics just above show a large scale model, like 1:8 or something. If you want 1:25, then the easiest way is to use 2mm solder wire. Super easy to bend,and these pretty much are a scale 2" pipe used for big block motors. Just you'll have to dip the solder core wire in hot water for a few minutes to let the flux leak out, then with an appropriate bit (read small) drill the soft metal end to seal the flux holes. Otherwise, in a warm environment, the flux will eventually leak out and the ends start to get really gummed up. A real mess. I've had great success with 1:25 header pipes using this method. Look here, several years back, still good; Hope you find what you're looking for. Michael, Thank you for the tips I really appreciate them. I wanted to build 1/25 scale headers. They will be for a pro street project. I was hoping to make them so that the collectors would be exiting out the bottom of the front fenders like a outlaw car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comp1839 Posted March 12, 2017 Share Posted March 12, 2017 the headers in my pic above, are that style anthony but, just in case here's another set i did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintagercr Posted March 12, 2017 Share Posted March 12, 2017 Beautiful looking headers guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Bartrop Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 Styrene rod works pretty well for making header. To bend it, just hold it close to an incandescent bulb and apply gentle pressure. You don't have to get it hot enough to melt, just soften a bit. Here's one I made for a 1/25 flathead with styrene rod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Myers Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 Michaels carries aluminum rod. It's in the floral department and comes on a coil. This will kink if bent more than a little bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impalow Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 If you check out page 2 of this thread you can see how i make mine.... ive done quite a few sets this way and they turn out pretty good. There is also a link to the styrene rod I use that bends and holds it shape without heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyjim Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 This will kink if bent more than a little bitWrong. It's solid rod - not tubing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brett Barrow Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 You might have to register to read it, but a great tutorial on the Trak board - http://trakinscale.proboards.com/thread/15426/scratch-building-headers-evergreen-rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggon Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 Check out Plastruct tube and elbows. I've seen a couple sets of headers made using them, and they work out pretty good. It's just like building a 1:1 set in scale. Warning, they've updated the website and its pretty user un-friendly.https://plastruct.com/?s=elbows&post_type=product Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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