Abstract: A hand tool for expanding hollow bodies contains a casing (2) having a laterally extending first hand lever (3). A second hand lever, (7) which consists of steel and is joined to the casing so as to pivot on a shaft (5), bears a pinion sector (6) surrounding the shaft (5). The two hand levers (3, 7) form a pliers In the casing (2) a bore is disposed for guiding a rack consisting of steel, one end of which cooperates within the bore with the pinion sector (6) such that an expansion wedge can be displaced outwardly by a closing movement of the two hand levers (3, 7). The casing has means by which an expansion head with radially moving expander jaws can be placed coaxially onto the outwardly tapered end of the spreading wedge. To reduce both the weight and the force required for operation, the casing (2) and its hand lever (3) consist of a light material from the plastic and light metal group. The casing (2) thus forms together with the rack a low-friction combination of light material and steel.