Cutting tubes to length - tools?

jocko said:

What tools do you all find work best for cutting tubes to length? I've got the basic home shop, so no expensive mill lathes or such. I've tried pipe cutters (they tend to indent the ends) and my table saw with a metal blade (kinda hacked up the tube). What (low cost) solutions do you all find work best? Thanks.

Click to expand...

Hacksaw

Jocko, whatever you use, high teeth per inch blades. Thinner material = higher tpi for a clean cut.

Hacksaw blades... i.e.
general try a 24 tooth (.9mm and above)
thin frame tubes try 32 tooth (.8mm, .7mm and lower)

I can see a hacksaw if you're not worried about "squareness" of cut (90 degree angle). But what about those cuts where you'd like it to be as square as possible? Like headtube, top of seat tube. Or do most just make a rough cut and face to square?

-->Cut carefully with a hacksaw a bit too long.
-->File the end with a big bastard file
-->Check with as inexpensive a machinist's square as you can find: http://tinyurl.com/yan8a5p

Then if you really want it correct, you will face (make square) with a cutter before installing your headset. Of course, that tool is not cheap. If you want the "no money" version, finish with a fine-cut file while checking very often with your square.

Isn't this in the FAQ folder?!

Arrak Thumrs said:

-->Cut carefully with a hacksaw a bit too long.
-->File the end with a big bastard file
-->Check with as inexpensive a machinist's square as you can find: http://tinyurl.com/yan8a5p

Click to expand...

Recommend the smallest square you can find. This makes the job much, much easier. I use lots of squares, and the 2" is almost always the one that I grab.. cheaper, fits in your pocket, easy to use. Why go Ebay, Under $4 retail? http://www.wttool.com/product-exec/product_id/17685 Use Johnsons paste wax to protect from rust.

To ease the job, make tubing holders from blocks of 2x4 lumber.

If you are really trying to save money, you could use the back side of the tube notcher printouts... (i.e. cut a straight line on the back side of the printout, line it up, tape in place, mark the line with a sharpie pen.)

ref: http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=578437

http://www.dogfeatherdesign.com/ttn_Java5/

--zip

jocko said:

I can see a hacksaw if you're not worried about "squareness" of cut (90 degree angle). But what about those cuts where you'd like it to be as square as possible? Like headtube, top of seat tube. Or do most just make a rough cut and face to square?

Click to expand...

I'm not pro by any stretch of the imagination, but file it square. If I can file perfect miters to fit compound angles, filing the top of a tube square isn't an issue.

Now you will still need to face your headtube anyway, so it just needs to be close.

My friend uses his copper pipe cutter to cut steel pipes. It's hell on the cutter, but it sure cuts a straight pipe.