pipe cutting software

[moT]

Does anyone know of any software available for laying out pipe cutting shapes?
I have a simple program that prints paper wraps for joining pipes at various angles. What I'm looking for now is a program that will print wraps for making rosette cuts to the ends of pipes that will allow them to be formed into hemispheres then welded.
Any body out there seen any thing like that?

[Guest]

I think what you are referring to is an orange peel cap.....folks don't usually make them anymore, since you can buy them. It's a lost art. It's where you cut the end of a pipe like crown points and form them to be a bullnose cap. Is this what you're asking...maybe I misunderstood.

[moT]

formed pipe caps

Rocky D,
Yes, that is exactly what I'm looking for. I have a whole load of surplus 5" pipe and I want to make bumpers for my trucks with them.
My plan is to cut them to length, form the ends, and then cut them lengthwise, getting both the front and back bumpers out of one length of pipe.
I have a simple computer program for joining pipes that I just love. You enter pipe diameter, wall thickness, and included angle, and if then prints a paper wrap on your printer. You wrap it around the pipe, cut to the mark, and get a perfect fit every time. What I'm hoping to find is something similar that will give me wraps to form the round caps.
Any mathematicians out there?

[Bill H.]

MoT, would you mind sharing the name or source of your software for pipe end fitting? Seems like a handy thing to have, certainly faster then lots of chaulk marking and grinding. -Bill

[Guest]

The hard part in making an orange peel cap is not the cutting, it's the forming to get it looking rounded...they can get awful bumpy.

I have an old acetylene welding book circa 1940 at the shop...it's pretty fragile now, I don't know if I can scan it, but I'll see.

[moT]

pipe cutting program

Bill H,
I downloaded that program to a floppy several years and at least one computer ago, I no longer have the link to the site where I found it. It was on a bicycle frame building page, but that's all I remember. I'll check the file size, maybe I could attach it to a post here?
Rocky D,
I've seen it done, and it looked pretty straight forward, but it was being done by an oldtimer who'd done it many times before. I'd like to give it a try, though I'm sure it'll be a struggle!

[bitternut]

Here is the link for laying out pipe joints. I posted this one a while back and I think it is the one you are looking for. It is called "winmiter".

ftp://ftp.ihpva.org/pub/software/winmiter/

[CPB]

moT,
What I do is draw out the template on Autocad using the book called 'Pipe Template Layout" by Thomas W. Frankland. Once I get through that part which is 95% of the work all I have to do is size the drawing to whichever pipe size that I want to cut. That way I can make a template as big as my printer allows. Thats a really good book to have for reference.
CPB

[moT]

autocad cap - Thanks!

CPB,
That is just what I was looking for, thanks a bunch!
I thought that there might be a way to do it using autocad, but I was too dumb or lazy (or maybe both!) to figure it out!

[Guest]

In the real world, tho, where the ( let me describe this if the pipe were standing vertical) bottom of the cut comes to a point, it is better for forming to make it a radius, where it says "base line". you need some room there for the bend. You could drill a 1/4" hole there and cut up to it. You want your joint to have a little gap for penetration. You'll probably have to practice on a couple first.

[Guest]

moT, I found a little more info on the orange peel caps...A tool to make the "arms" form evenly.

[moT]

Orange peel cap template

Rocky D,
Thanks, that template, like Metamucil, should help to insure regularity!
Spent some time on the AutoCad today and produced a wrap for my pipe using CPB's attachment, kinda fun!
Wish the steel could be as easy to cut as the printer paper is!

[Sberry]

If it was that easy they would hire old women and children to do it.