scratch building header question

[carcrazy19]

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.  

[DON-T2]

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.

[High octane]

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.

[Ognib]

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.

[comp1839]

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.

 

[carcrazy19]

Are there resin casts made? If so, what would the venders name be?

Thanks for the advise.

[10thumbs]

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.

 

[crazyjim]

Michaels carries aluminum rod.  It's in the floral department and comes on a coil. 

[lysleder]

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. 

[Len Woodruff]

Good thread.

[DumpyDan]

Ya very good, thanks for all the info

[carcrazy19]

Thanks for the tips and its good to see that this thread can help others who want to build there own headers.

[carcrazy19]

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.

[comp1839]

the headers in my pic above, are that style anthony but, just in case here's another set i did.

[vintagercr]

Beautiful looking headers guys. 

[Richard Bartrop]

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.

[Greg Myers]

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

[Impalow]

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.

[crazyjim]

This will kink if bent more than a little bit

Wrong.  It's solid rod - not tubing.

[Brett Barrow]

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  

[Draggon]

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