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-   -   Cutting thin wall aluminum tubing (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=150336)

Greg Arehart 06-10-2017 07:12 PM

Tubing cutter and deburring tool. Or if you really want perfect, chuck it into a lathe....

wfinnell 06-10-2017 09:00 PM

I did it and it worked great!
 
I used a 80 tooth ultra fine carbide blade on my 10 inch miter saw and it makes a very very straight and precise cuts. My cuts only needed to be cleaned up with some fine sand paper to complete the process. I have to confess, it was a little scary, but it worked great.

RYOUNG 06-11-2017 05:36 AM

I wrap a sheet of paper around the tube and tape it at the proper length in order to have a reference to mark the cut line. Then you can cut it slightly long then file/sand to get exact length.

Robert

Robert Anglin 06-11-2017 06:19 AM

Ditto
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by RYOUNG (Post 1179612)
I wrap a sheet of paper around the tube and tape it at the proper length in order to have a reference to mark the cut line. Then you can cut it slightly long then file/sand to get exact length.

Robert

Me too, A 36 tooth hacksaw and a good fine file is all you need. As has been pointed out, just cut it 1/16" over and trim it back to square. You will want to deburr the I.D. and O.D. anyway. Yours, R.E.A. III #80888

Jesse 06-11-2017 06:41 AM

I use a bandsaw and spin it as I cut. That usually makes a nice square end.

Sam Buchanan 06-11-2017 07:18 AM

I had occasion to make hundreds of cuts in tubing in the course of building my last two planes. I use a floor-mounted metal cutting bandsaw to make the initial cut which is a little long then bring the tubing to final dimension with a bench-mounted disk sander. A fence is clamped to the disk sander table that is precisely 90* from the disk and the tubing is brought down to final size very quickly and easily.

N804RV 06-11-2017 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Buchanan (Post 1179628)
I had occasion to make hundreds of cuts in tubing in the course of building my last two planes. I use a floor-mounted metal cutting bandsaw to make the initial cut which is a little long then bring the tubing to final dimension with a bench-mounted disk sander. A fence is clamped to the disk sander table that is precisely 90* from the disk and the tubing is brought down to final size very quickly and easily.

One of these days I will have a disk sander.

I found an inexpensive large tubing cutter that will handle 1.125" aluminum tubing. Gonna give it a try. And, I also have the chop saw with the TCG 80 tooth blade that I'll try as well. I'll just have to see which one I like better.

Thanks for all the response!

Plummit 06-11-2017 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N804RV (Post 1179639)
One of these days I will have a disk sander.

I found an inexpensive large tubing cutter that will handle 1.125" aluminum tubing. Gonna give it a try.
Thanks for all the response!

I highly recommend the Reed TC14 tubing cutter. We use the TC14 exclusively for anything under 1.25". It has a built-in deburring tool and is the smoothest tubing cutter I have ever used.

https://www.amazon.com/TC14-Telescop.../dp/B001F9RJ4K

Wow, I just saw that Amazon (Toolup) wants $10.73 shipping. Check with a local plumbing supply house or the internet. Better deals can be had. I don't recommend you buy used as a sharp cutter wheel makes all the difference.

~Marc


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