Tube Cutting Help Needed - Katy, TX

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JoeyPerot

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Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Messages
23
I'm looking for someone to cut me around 20-30 tubes for the Knurl GT (Penn State Ind) kit.

I don't have the equipment to cut them as accurately as needed for this kit.

Is there anyone local who might be interested in doing this for me? Happy to pay. I have the 3/8" x 10" tubes and will provide.

Let me know if you're willing/interested in helping out.

Thanks!
Joey


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magpens

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Feb 2, 2011
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15,913
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Canada
Those copper tube cutters crush thin walled brass tubes. At least that's been my experience.

I agree. . I don't use them. . I cut my tubes with a very small hacksaw, holding the tubes in pen jaws on the headstock chuck of my lathe (being careful to protect my lathe from accidental saw strokes). . I then use the lathe to true up the ends of the cut brass tube pieces to the correct length. . It takes a few minutes, but is worth it, in my opinion.
 
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KenB259

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Dec 24, 2017
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3,537
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Michigan
Thus is what I use. IMG_1025.jpg


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MRDucks2

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Jul 17, 2017
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Bristow, IN



66936 T-Handle Reamer Harbor Freight. Same thing I would use to clean up the burr from a hacksaw blade opens the slight compression of a brass tube, if you end up with one. If you are crushing the brass tube you are over tightening. Often about 3 turns and you can snap the tube without cutting through.


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Woodchipper

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Joined
Mar 15, 2017
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5,138
Location
Cleveland, TN
Used to cut a lot of copper tubing for kitchen ranges. The cutters taper the ends and you can't straighten them. Cut with a mini saw as illustrated. Slightly chamfer the ends to remove only the burrs.
 

Sly Dog

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Joined
Nov 16, 2018
Messages
417
Location
Boise, Idaho
I still use a small copper tube cutter but I insert a punch inside the tube to protect it against the "crush" others wrote about. A little reaming tool, if necessary, cleans it up. All very cheap tools.
 

TonyL

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Joined
Mar 9, 2014
Messages
8,904
Location
Georgia
There has to be a better/cleaner way than this, but this is what I do:

1. Use a Proxxon Miter saw, BUT cut it about a half inch longer than needed. I bought a carbide tooth blade, but I still don't like the edge it leaves. I then insert the tube, and let extra stick-out from both ends. Using my sanding jig (usually the center of the paper with 80 grit), I sand off the extra brass. Last step using 120 to 180 grit SP, I reduce the length of the barrel from both sides - so both sides will be smooth and square. I either use a tube from the same kit or measure it to the length indicates on the pen's instruction sheet using calipers.

2. Cut the tube (again slightly longer) using the pipe cutter that everyone has presented. However, I do insert a transfer punch inside of the tube (the largest one that will slide inside the brass tube). The end of the tube my be slightly, but uniformly bent toward the center. After I insert it into the barrel, I follow the steps above.


From beginning to end it takes me longer to find the pipe cutter or instruction sheet that it does to do all of the above :).


As I said, it aint pretty or perfect, but I can quickly make it so by the end of the process. If there was a precision "toy" out there to do this, I would probably buy it. :)
 
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MiteyF

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Joined
Jan 27, 2018
Messages
187
Location
Bay area
I just toss mine on the (cheap, small) bandsaw with a nicely squared sled. Takes all of 2 seconds, plus 15 seconds of sanding/filing to remove burrs.
 

Curly

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Joined
Nov 20, 2010
Messages
4,828
Location
Saskatoon SK., Canada.
I looked into getting a Harbor Freight saw like the above but shipping to Canada was triple the cost of the saw so frell that noise and I got a 5C collet with a stop for the metal lathe. Already had the 5C chuck so once I get it set up I can part and deburr a tube in about a minute.
 
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