The Official Tube Notching Thread

BAILEIGH INC · 09-15-09, 03:43 PM

If you have any questions, input, tips or tricks or horror stories about notching tube. The good, the bad and the ugly, here is the place for it.

Hole saw notchers......good or bad?
Best hole saw?
Abrasive notching vs. end mill style notching?
How many notches do you get from an abrasive belt?
Notching with a chop saw?
Best way, worst way to notch tube?
Software to help with tricky notch angles?
Notching schedule 40 pipe.....best way?
Home made notchers, lets see em!

BAILEIGH INC · 09-24-09, 03:19 PM

Here is a cool notching tool for you guys.

Tube Coping Calculator with custom pdf page size

fivetreoh · 09-25-09, 07:54 AM

Hopefully we can get some responses in here. I'm thinking about doing some tube work eventually and would like to see how people are notching/coping.

BAILEIGH INC · 09-25-09, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fivetreoh

Hopefully we can get some responses in here. I'm thinking about doing some tube work eventually and would like to see how people are notching/coping.

I agree......

There should be enough fabricators on here who would be willing share some tricks of the trade.

Mace · 09-30-09, 12:01 PM

I suck at notching tube..

BAILEIGH INC · 09-30-09, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mace

I suck at notching tube..

Try this Mace!

Tube Coping Calculator with custom pdf page size

May the force be with you

Mace · 09-30-09, 01:58 PM

Yeah, those help a lot, but it does not matter if you don't put the notch in the right place

BAILEIGH INC · 09-30-09, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mace

Yeah, those help a lot, but it does not matter if you don't put the notch in the right place

here is the answer to your notching prayers

http://www.bii1.com/images/software/BendSoftware2.bmp

Bend tech Pro

nat · 10-05-09, 09:54 AM

I typically lay stuff out in CAD. I have 3 CAD programs to choose from.

Since I got the Bridgeport, I am thnking about making a jig so I can use endmills to notch.

How do people like the holesaw notchers?

TLC76 · 10-11-09, 08:46 AM

I just have a crappy harbor freight notcher, as long as you use a decent bimetal holesaw it's ok. Use a good low speed high torque drill also. Hardest part is keeping the notch centered with the imprecise clamp etc...

BAILEIGH INC · 10-12-09, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLC76

I just have a ****py harbor freight notcher, as long as you use a decent bimetal holesaw it's ok. Use a good low speed high torque drill also. Hardest part is keeping the notch centered with the imprecise clamp etc...

I agree....

U-strap tube clamps are not very accurate.

Arya Ebrahimi · 10-13-09, 06:11 PM

I've been using a Harbor Freight tube notcher and although it's not the best it gets the job done for the small number of tube projects I do. I'd love a JD2 Notchmaster and can surely appreciate its capabilities and accuracy. It's just hard to justify for my projects.

I will say that I'm sold on holesaw notchers and the only thing I would rather use is a belt notcher given the option.

Chop Shop · 10-25-09, 12:11 PM

I hate my holesaw notcher. (it is a JD2) It is slow, it eats expensive holesaws and half the time I still have to "fine tune" it with the grinder.

I have a williams LoBuck Tools handrail notcher. I put the tube in it and pull the handle. Done.

I also use the chop saw alot. After years of notchin tube I can fit the tube, make a line where the notch needs to be and use my judgement to figure the depth of cut.

By the time I boot up bendtech and unroll the drill cord and get a tube notched the "new hitech way", I can have it welded on and done quickly the "old fashoined" way.

Williams Lowbuck Tools Tubing and Pipe Notcher

BAILEIGH INC · 10-26-09, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chop Shop

I hate my holesaw notcher. (it is a JD2) It is slow, it eats expensive holesaws and half the time I still have to "fine tune" it with the grinder.

I have a williams LoBuck Tools handrail notcher. I put the tube in it and pull the handle. Done.

I also use the chop saw alot. After years of notchin tube I can fit the tube, make a line where the notch needs to be and use my judgement to figure the depth of cut.

By the time I boot up bendtech and unroll the drill cord and get a tube notched the "new hitech way", I can have it welded on and done quickly the "old fashoined" way.

Williams Lowbuck Tools Tubing and Pipe Notcher

Can you miter with the lowbuck notcher?

Chop Shop · 10-26-09, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAILEIGH INC

Can you miter with the lowbuck notcher?

I just cut the angle of junction in the tubes end, then nip the tip with the notcher and cut a sliver off the inside edge with the chopsaw.
Then I run a 4 inch flapper over it quickly to remove sharp edges that will burn back.

total time, about 2-3 minutes. hole saw cunsumables = $0

BAILEIGH INC · 10-27-09, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chop Shop

I just cut the angle of junction in the tubes end, then nip the tip with the notcher and cut a sliver off the inside edge with the chopsaw.
Then I run a 4 inch flapper over it quickly to remove sharp edges that will burn back.

total time, about 2-3 minutes. hole saw cunsumables = $0

Cool....

How do you measure the angle? What would you di if you needed a 37 degree notch?

Chop Shop · 10-27-09, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAILEIGH INC

Cool....

How do you measure the angle? What would you di if you needed a 37 degree notch?

I dont measure, I hand fit things. My hand can do it quicker and nicer than a big plan.

Cmon man its tube not surgery. you pickin at my process or truly interested?

How would you notch a 37 degree tube that lands between two 90degree tubes?

Chop Shop · 10-27-09, 12:02 PM

heres a few "hand fits"

bottom pick is a 90 degree "lobuck" notch.

top two would probally get stuck inside/bottom out a holesaw.

BAILEIGH INC · 10-27-09, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chop Shop

I dont measure, I hand fit things. My hand can do it quicker and nicer than a big plan.

Cmon man its tube not surgery. you pickin at my process or truly interested?

How would you notch a 37 degree tube that lands between two 90degree tubes?

No picking at all.......

I am truly interested in your answer. We sell manual pipe notchers as well, but have found they are only useful for 90 degree notches (handrail, fencing, cattle gates...etc)

Its great to hear someone can make a mitered notch with one. Thanks for the pics!

Chop Shop · 10-28-09, 11:40 PM

I use the torch to notch alot of ends that are very steep angles and hard to cut with a blade or saw or notcher. I hardly ever make the same parts twice.

I probally use the chop saw the most though. Ill post a few chop saw notches later.

Gimmie Green · 10-28-09, 11:51 PM

I just finished a full cage on my 40. I hand fit everything and used a plasma for all of my notches. After a bit of fine tuning with a grinder fit like a champ.