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.
ARCHIVE The Official Tube Notching Thread
- Thread starter BAILEIGH INC
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2006
- Threads
- 162
- Messages
- 4,044
- Location
- Hillsboro, OR
- Website
- www.cascadecruisers.com
I literally threw my HF notcher across the garage it was so bad soI'm about to pull the trigger on the JD2 notch master... are these worth the extra money?
I use my plasma from time to time but I've got a shaky hand so I alway seem to screw it up and have to clean the cuts up with my grinder.
I use my plasma from time to time but I've got a shaky hand so I alway seem to screw it up and have to clean the cuts up with my grinder.
- Thread starter
- #23
Yes, Notchmasters are nice.
- Thread starter
- #24
The perfect notch
![IMG_1308%5B1%5D[1].webp](https://forum.ih8mud.com/attachments/img_1308-5b1-5d-1-webp.387641/ "IMG_1308%5B1%5D[1].webp")
I am currently getting frustrated with my HF notcher. I just got a plasma cutter, so i will pray that my hands will get steadier.
I am interested what other people are like to use to notch as well.
I am interested what other people are like to use to notch as well.
- Thread starter
- #26
I have used the chopsaw before and didn't care for it. I have angle grinder notched before and thats way too much work.
Has anyone made a template to notch 90 degrees with a plasma cutter? say if you wanted to notch 1.5 inch tubing, you put a larger diameter tube that is already notched over it so you can use it as a guide while cutting. need some help getting a cleaner cut.
has anyone made a stand for there HF or similar notcher?
Has anyone made a template to notch 90 degrees with a plasma cutter? say if you wanted to notch 1.5 inch tubing, you put a larger diameter tube that is already notched over it so you can use it as a guide while cutting. need some help getting a cleaner cut.
has anyone made a stand for there HF or similar notcher?
I use my HF notcher in my vise with my 90 degree Milwaukee. I had to shim the clamp out with washers to get a centered cut, but now it works well enough for my occasional use.
When I built my rollcage a budy that builds sprint cars used a hole saw on an mill just slowed the speed down and lots of cutting fluid/oil. Made for some nice ends. I have also been to this show and they have everthing manufacturing. WESTEC 2010 Exposition there are mills big enough to fit a car in. Cnc pipe binders and hand held notcher on display and demos on almost every machine.
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2003
- Threads
- 117
- Messages
- 11,199
- Location
- Lancaster, Ohio, USA
- Website
- www.tlcperformance.com
For 90's I use the chop saw, make two miters, then knock the sharp point off w/ a hand grinder.
For trickier angles, or differing tube sizes, I use the tube coping calculator that Baileigh has posted above. Once the profile is Sharpied in place, I decide if it's gonna be easier to use the 2-chop-miters technique or freehand it w/ plaz.
I've used the JD2 and it is nice, but takes time to set up and make the cut. For the little bit I do, the crude techniques have always passed scrutineering. Good weld technique is as important as fit for strength, and more important for getting past those scrutineers who have a chip on their shoulder. Dontcha hate it when a cage that passed inspection last event is suddenly pronounced unfit a month later by some volunteer steward?
No, I'm not bitter....
Wait, What are we talking about
For trickier angles, or differing tube sizes, I use the tube coping calculator that Baileigh has posted above. Once the profile is Sharpied in place, I decide if it's gonna be easier to use the 2-chop-miters technique or freehand it w/ plaz.
I've used the JD2 and it is nice, but takes time to set up and make the cut. For the little bit I do, the crude techniques have always passed scrutineering. Good weld technique is as important as fit for strength, and more important for getting past those scrutineers who have a chip on their shoulder. Dontcha hate it when a cage that passed inspection last event is suddenly pronounced unfit a month later by some volunteer steward?
No, I'm not bitter....Wait, What are we talking about
That picture excited me much more than it should.
I am an avid angle grinder notcher. It takes awhile to get right but I have gotten good at it.
- Thread starter
- #33
Thanks for posting up the Pirate link Shane! I used it a few days ago and it made my life a boatload easier. I'll be using the coping calculator tomorrow to fit up a funky angle I have on my sliders. I'll post pics when I finally get it.
The coping calculator works like a charm. I did find that using the "custom"program worked better. It prints the cope to the size of the tube you're using.
Tube Coping Calculator with custom pdf page size
Tube Coping Calculator with custom pdf page size
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2006
- Threads
- 162
- Messages
- 4,044
- Location
- Hillsboro, OR
- Website
- www.cascadecruisers.com
Just tried my new JD2 notchmaster.... what a difference. I basically just knocked off the high spots of the notch with a grinder. Took about 2 secs per notch to do so. Worth every penny:
The JD2 notchers as posted above are bad ass. Just hose the hole saws down with lube while cutting and they last quite a while.
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2006
- Threads
- 162
- Messages
- 4,044
- Location
- Hillsboro, OR
- Website
- www.cascadecruisers.com
I cant believe I tried using the HF notchers for so long! They were such junk!
- Thread starter
- #39
The perfect notch! Check it out!
YouTube - Baileigh / MB Custom Using RDB-250 Tube Bender, TN-800 And TN-300 Tube Notcher And CS-315 Cold Saw
YouTube - Baileigh / MB Custom Using RDB-250 Tube Bender, TN-800 And TN-300 Tube Notcher And CS-315 Cold Saw
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2006
- Threads
- 162
- Messages
- 4,044
- Location
- Hillsboro, OR
- Website
- www.cascadecruisers.com
so sweet... wish I could afford that caliber of tools.
Similar threads
