anybody use grinder for notching small tube

[bigolguy]

i find that a angle die grinder is great for notching small diameter tube!.....anybody use this ideal?

anyhows!....astro,chicage,ir,?

[davids78bronco]

I used too... until I got a tubing notcher

[bluesman2a]

Nope, grinders are just for dress-up.

either this or plasma...

Fit-up with grinders is haphazard at best.

[Splatterboy]

Nice notcher Bluesman2a - you mount that on a drill press? I've been thinking about getting one, but didn't know if mounting it on the press would work.

[newbie]

They are made to be mounted on a drill press. The one I got at HF though I just hook a cordless drill to it and put it on the floor and push down. It works well!

[bluesman2a]

Originally posted by Splatterboy
you mount that on a drill press? I've been thinking about getting one, but didn't know if mounting it on the press would work.

Funny you should ask that. I've been running it mounted to my bender with a hand drill. This week I finally took the time to mount it on my press (it has a large slotted table, and the notcher needs to sit on the VERY EDGE to be able to take advantage of all 50* of angle cut available). I can't believe I was dumb enough to wait this long to do this!!! Makes a HUGE difference. Just being able to apply even, constant pressure has speeded up my notching by like 50%, and being able to clamp stuff to a STABLE, level base is a big bonus.

Now you'll still need to take it off for the odd big-stuff, but I like my press mount a WHOLE lot better!!!

[bigolguy]

fancy pipe notchers for press

i just figured better to do it the good ol natural way with a blowpipe.too much time to get that all hooked up on my press when i don't need one unless i am working for nascar or some other racing company making roll cages 4 a living or making a 10 mile fence or doing factory production work.that's too good for my old-fashioned butt

anywasy how much for one

[bluesman2a]

I don't do any of those things, but I DO make cages that will, if ultimately tested, protect me and those important to me. For that, I have no issue with spending a little more on a quality tool, a standard cage can have in upwards of 10-20 joints that require precise fit-up. Each of those points is an opportunity for failure, and I like to keep my odds as high as possible.

If you're not building LOTS of cages, Harbor Freight sells a cheaper notcher for about $50, but it'll only be good for a single cage before you have to pitch it.

Let me also say that if you can notch a tube with a 10* angle, on it, factor in a 20* rotation and do an 8* angle on the same bias all by hand with an angle grinder, AND get the kind of fit I can do in about 15 minutes, I'll come shake your hand.

[bluesman2a]

Here's an example of the work I had to do just tonight, on a PORTION of a single cage, also shows my setup in the press:


For more pics of the whole project see here:

http://www.printroom.com/ViewAlbum.asp?userid=bluesman2a&album_id=159600

[BSOK]

bluesman2a

Nice work on the jeep.

I've been thinking or purchasing a notcher, saw the HF one and questioned it's quality. Don't plan on doing any roll cages but I am thinking of making a headache rack for my pick-up. Who makes the one you are using?

thanks and have a great day.

[Bobster]

RE: anybody use grinder for notching

I use a Joint Jigger mounted in my bench vise and drive it with my 1/2 Milwaukee drill. That's the manufacturer's recomendation and I find it works fine that way. You need a drill press that will drop the table about 14" from the chuck to use the drill press option.

I chose the Joint Jigger because I can get a full complement of parts should I need 'em.

http://www.jointjigger.com/index.html

[Guest]

Re: anybody use grinder for notching small tube

Originally posted by bigolguy
i find that a angle die grinder is great for notching small diameter tube!.....anybody use this ideal?

anyhows!....astro,chicage,ir,?

I never had a tubing notcher.....always use a O/A torch or grinder. with a grinder it is quick and takes awhile to do it good, but with practice, you can master the technique. Most of my stuff I do in the field, no vise a lot of times, so it comes in handy.

I have to admit, tho a notched tube makes a nice fitup to weld.

[bluesman2a]

Re: Re: anybody use grinder for notching small tube

Originally posted by Rocky D
always use a O/A torch or grinder. with a grinder it is quick and takes awhile to do it good, but with practice, you can master the technique. Most of my stuff I do in the field, no vise a lot of times, so it comes in handy.

I have to admit, tho a notched tube makes a nice fitup to weld.

Ah, here is where we separate the men from the boys... I have no doubt in my mind that somebody who does this day-in and day-out could get some good fit-up in a reasonable amount of time without a notcher. The problem is most hobbiests (myself included) just don't get the kind of exposure you're talking about to properly fit joints for critical/structural applications.

Plus I stink at working with crown-molding, anything that helps me deal with compound angles easier in tube makes me a happy camper!!!