Tubing Notchers...

doctor_cad · 06-18-2004, 09:42 AM

What are you guys using to notch your tubing?

Drill Motor/Hole Saw Jig?

Metal Lathe?

preach · 06-18-2004, 04:30 PM

Cheapo HF notcher. works fine for my needs. runs on the drill press.

Spawn_X · 06-18-2004, 04:35 PM

BigWoodyWag · 06-19-2004, 02:24 AM

I got this one:
http://www.pro-tools.com/hsn500.htm

but should have spent the extra chedder and got this one
http://www.pro-tools.com/hsn501i.htm

I find myself limited on angles with mine, and think that the extra adjustability would ease some fab jobs and require less grinder work.

socalchef · 06-19-2004, 03:29 AM

i had the harbor freight notcher, the bolts stripped out. i jammed bigger bolts in but i ended up getting an hsn 500 pro tools version for $90 on ebay. i like it a lot better.

broncofreak2000 · 06-19-2004, 06:51 AM

Ive got the JD2 model from VanSant Enterprises nice high quality cnc machined notcher. I bought a HF model and it was cheap made and didn't notch the tubing on center, you get what you pay for.

THURENfab. · 06-19-2004, 02:01 PM

Made my own.... does any angle .....

doctor_cad · 06-19-2004, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THURENfab.

Made my own.... does any angle .....

now THAT is kick ass. How does the tube clamp work??

BadDog · 06-19-2004, 11:11 PM

Chop saw
Grinder
Plasma
HF notcher

In that order. HF is used only for near 90s and "highly visible" joints. 2 little 45s on the chop saw and a touch up with the grinder is faster for most, but not as good "fit-up".

RustyNailJustin · 06-19-2004, 11:13 PM

Grinder... might be slow but you can make perfect fit once you get good at it. I use a hole saw to get the basic shape then grind to the best fit fish mouth.

jeeplord · 06-20-2004, 04:36 PM

Miller Spectrum Thunder 230V

Does any angle you can imagine

doctor_cad · 06-21-2004, 09:57 PM

Thanks for the replies.

We use patterns developed in Autocad and printed out to be wrapped around the pipe at the shipyard I work at. The line is transferred from the pattern, then cut with a torch. Thats on heavy pipe though...

I guess theres no reason why you cant do the same and use a torch on tubing. Pbly spend more time cleaning it up than just cutting the whole fishmouth with a hard disk on the mini grinder though. Jeez, I wish I could justify a plasma!

JeepinDoug · 06-22-2004, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctor_cad

Thanks for the replies.

We use patterns developed in Autocad and printed out to be wrapped around the pipe at the shipyard I work at. The line is transferred from the pattern, then cut with a torch. Thats on heavy pipe though...

I guess theres no reason why you cant do the same and use a torch on tubing. Pbly spend more time cleaning it up than just cutting the whole fishmouth with a hard disk on the mini grinder though. Jeez, I wish I could justify a plasma!

Like this?

doctor_cad · 06-22-2004, 11:01 PM

Same idea, yep. I just draw up the members as solids so they run past the intersection point, and use a boolean subtraction.

1st Step:

doctor_cad · 06-22-2004, 11:03 PM

2nd Step:

doctor_cad · 06-22-2004, 11:05 PM

3rd Step: Subdivide perimeter into equal parts, and extend lines to cutting profile.

doctor_cad · 06-22-2004, 11:07 PM

Final Step: Take projected lines off tube and lay them out on a flat surface. This forms the pattern... Notice this tube was intersected at a 15* angle. Concept works for any angle.

THURENfab. · 06-23-2004, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctor_cad

now THAT is kick ass. How does the tube clamp work??

I think you can see it from this pic.... I kinda just threw this together to see how it worked before the final design .... It works great and holds the tube really tight.... I just did some notches that were in the middle of a bend and they were soooooo easy compared to my ol' HF POS......

Cannon Motorsports · 06-27-2004, 10:57 PM

We use the JD2 notcher, and I love it. I woulda bought the pro tools, but I can get the JD2 for 100$. Those are the best notchers, the joint jigger, and the hf one suck. Don't settle for anything less.

DRM · 06-28-2004, 09:52 AM

I have the HF notcher - and personally, it sucks. Gonna have to look into modifying it to fix as many of the problems as I possibly can, because as it stands right now - I hate using it.

toymoto · 06-28-2004, 10:17 AM

I use the HF notcher and Greenlee Holesaws. It's a love/hate relationship. It's easier to make saddles than with the chopsaw and grinder but I have sprained and almost broken my wrist several times with it. The guide for the shaft has wallowed out causing the holesaw to catch and fling my skinny ass around.

On my next project it will be mounted to the drill press.

doctor_cad · 06-28-2004, 04:05 PM

I thought there would be priblems catching with the hole saws. They are grabby on flat plate, cant imagine on tubing... I guess the hot setup is to get a plasma and use some sort of comp. generated template. OR, fab up a sweet ass setup like THURENfab.

Cannon Motorsports · 06-28-2004, 04:09 PM

The trick to making a nice cut and making your holesaw last forever, is the slow the drill down, and move a a nice constant pace. Use cutting oil and keep the metal cool. This way, the holesaw never catches on the metal.

JeepinDoug · 06-28-2004, 06:10 PM

Here's the ultimate notcher for perfect coping but way too pricey for me. It shouldn't be too bad to build one though.

Mittler's site

doctor_cad · 06-30-2004, 08:06 PM

Could do the same thing as that Mittler thing with a lathe and a creative tool rest/tube clamp

06-18-2004, 09:42 AM	#1
doctor_cad Wheeler Join Date: Apr 2004 Member # 29609 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 184	Tubing Notchers... What are you guys using to notch your tubing? Drill Motor/Hole Saw Jig? Metal Lathe? Attached Images

06-18-2004, 04:30 PM	#2
preach Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8713 Location: Live Free or Die Posts: 1,050	Cheapo HF notcher. works fine for my needs. runs on the drill press. Attached Images __________________ Great Northern Ridge Runner

06-19-2004, 02:24 AM	#4
BigWoodyWag non-crawler Join Date: Jan 2004 Member # 26468 Location: Land O' Sugar, Tejas Posts: 2,393	I got this one: http://www.pro-tools.com/hsn500.htm but should have spent the extra chedder and got this one http://www.pro-tools.com/hsn501i.htm I find myself limited on angles with mine, and think that the extra adjustability would ease some fab jobs and require less grinder work. __________________ Triple Nickel Racing

06-19-2004, 03:29 AM	#5
socalchef Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Member # 19652 Location: so cal Posts: 1,256	i had the harbor freight notcher, the bolts stripped out. i jammed bigger bolts in but i ended up getting an hsn 500 pro tools version for $90 on ebay. i like it a lot better. __________________ Shaffers Diablo Sport chassis on a 4.0L YJ frame Read the buildup at http://www.abendig.com

06-19-2004, 06:51 AM	#6
broncofreak2000 Granite Guru Join Date: Jan 2004 Member # 26394 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 602	Ive got the JD2 model from VanSant Enterprises nice high quality cnc machined notcher. I bought a HF model and it was cheap made and didn't notch the tubing on center, you get what you pay for. __________________ 78 Bronco, 4" lift, 2" body lift,42" TSLs, KORE Beadlocks, 4.88 gears, 14 bolt with detroit, HP60 front welded, Psycho Fab doors, High Angle rear driveshaft, Warn HS9500

06-19-2004, 02:01 PM	#7
THURENfab. blah... Join Date: May 2004 Member # 30339 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 313	Made my own.... does any angle ..... Attached Images

06-19-2004, 11:11 PM	#9
BadDog Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Member # 8211 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,255	Chop saw Grinder Plasma HF notcher In that order. HF is used only for near 90s and "highly visible" joints. 2 little 45s on the chop saw and a touch up with the grinder is faster for most, but not as good "fit-up". __________________ Russ 85 K30 truggy, 350 TBI, TH350, 203/205, D60/C14, 4.56 Locked, 42" TSLs, 4" lift, 112" wheel base, front leafs, rear double triangulated 4 link with coils.

06-19-2004, 11:13 PM	#10
RustyNailJustin TLCA#5305 Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8568 Location: Montrose CO,Delta CO,Fruita CO,K Falls OR Posts: 5,470	Grinder... might be slow but you can make perfect fit once you get good at it. I use a hole saw to get the basic shape then grind to the best fit fish mouth. __________________ 2009 KOH Team 435 Finished 35th. THANKS Moab MS High Angle Crossroads Fitness Maxxis Tires

06-20-2004, 04:36 PM	#11
jeeplord Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Member # 28273 Location: East of the Rockies Posts: 516	Miller Spectrum Thunder 230V Does any angle you can imagine __________________ [QUOTE=kodiak1232003]"RUN, WHITE PEOPLE!! RUN!..SAVE YOUR FAWKING SELVES!!!" or some sh#t, in broken engrish...."[/QUOTE]

06-21-2004, 09:57 PM	#12
doctor_cad Wheeler Join Date: Apr 2004 Member # 29609 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 184	Thanks for the replies. We use patterns developed in Autocad and printed out to be wrapped around the pipe at the shipyard I work at. The line is transferred from the pattern, then cut with a torch. Thats on heavy pipe though... I guess theres no reason why you cant do the same and use a torch on tubing. Pbly spend more time cleaning it up than just cutting the whole fishmouth with a hard disk on the mini grinder though. Jeez, I wish I could justify a plasma!

06-22-2004, 11:01 PM	#14
doctor_cad Wheeler Join Date: Apr 2004 Member # 29609 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 184	Same idea, yep. I just draw up the members as solids so they run past the intersection point, and use a boolean subtraction. 1st Step: Attached Images

06-22-2004, 11:03 PM	#15
doctor_cad Wheeler Join Date: Apr 2004 Member # 29609 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 184	2nd Step: Attached Images

06-22-2004, 11:05 PM	#16
doctor_cad Wheeler Join Date: Apr 2004 Member # 29609 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 184	3rd Step: Subdivide perimeter into equal parts, and extend lines to cutting profile. Attached Images

06-22-2004, 11:07 PM	#17
doctor_cad Wheeler Join Date: Apr 2004 Member # 29609 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 184	Final Step: Take projected lines off tube and lay them out on a flat surface. This forms the pattern... Notice this tube was intersected at a 15* angle. Concept works for any angle. Attached Images

06-27-2004, 10:57 PM	#19
Cannon Motorsports Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Member # 32492 Posts: 21	We use the JD2 notcher, and I love it. I woulda bought the pro tools, but I can get the JD2 for 100$. Those are the best notchers, the joint jigger, and the hf one suck. Don't settle for anything less.

06-28-2004, 09:52 AM	#20
DRM The Quiet One Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 8 Location: Spring Hill, TN Posts: 30,380 Blog Entries: 1	I have the HF notcher - and personally, it sucks. Gonna have to look into modifying it to fix as many of the problems as I possibly can, because as it stands right now - I hate using it. __________________ >David > 4x4Spot.com >It only hurts the first* time you agree with me...* >"A little nonsense now and then is cherished by the wisest men." >*FOR SALE: 87 4Runner / 60's / 3link rear / 39" PitBulls - $7500*

06-28-2004, 10:17 AM	#21
toymoto Token Wheeeeeeler Join Date: Nov 2003 Member # 24296 Location: Huntsville, Texas Posts: 571	I use the HF notcher and Greenlee Holesaws. It's a love/hate relationship. It's easier to make saddles than with the chopsaw and grinder but I have sprained and almost broken my wrist several times with it. The guide for the shaft has wallowed out causing the holesaw to catch and fling my skinny ass around. On my next project it will be mounted to the drill press.

06-28-2004, 04:05 PM	#22
doctor_cad Wheeler Join Date: Apr 2004 Member # 29609 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 184	I thought there would be priblems catching with the hole saws. They are grabby on flat plate, cant imagine on tubing... I guess the hot setup is to get a plasma and use some sort of comp. generated template. OR, fab up a sweet ass setup like THURENfab.

06-28-2004, 04:09 PM	#23
Cannon Motorsports Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Member # 32492 Posts: 21	The trick to making a nice cut and making your holesaw last forever, is the slow the drill down, and move a a nice constant pace. Use cutting oil and keep the metal cool. This way, the holesaw never catches on the metal.

06-28-2004, 06:10 PM	#24
JeepinDoug Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Member # 13028 Location: So.S.F., CA Posts: 3,135	Here's the ultimate notcher for perfect coping but way too pricey for me. It shouldn't be too bad to build one though. Mittler's site

06-30-2004, 08:06 PM	#25
doctor_cad Wheeler Join Date: Apr 2004 Member # 29609 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 184	Could do the same thing as that Mittler thing with a lathe and a creative tool rest/tube clamp Last edited by doctor_cad; 06-30-2004 at 08:11 PM.

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