Tube Notcher and Tube Bender

[cassiusclay]

Has anybody had the experience of using a tube notcher that uses a 1/2" tube notcher in which the coast doesn't coast you an arm or leg. I am in need also of a tube bender than is good and made for the hobbiest thank you for any information you can help

Clay Reed

[cassiusclay]

opps 1/2" Drill motor.

[Uncle Buck]

Has anybody had the experience of using a tube notcher that uses a 1/2" tube notcher in which the coast doesn't coast you an arm or leg. I am in need also of a tube bender than is good and made for the hobbiest thank you for any information you can help

Clay Reed

I hate to suggest it, but you might check Harbor Freight!:shocking:

[RockMonkey]

I've had good success with a Harbor Freight notcher. I've used it a ton and it's a little loose, but still makes a decent notch.

As far as benders go look at JD Squared and Protools.

I have the JD Squared model 3. Makes great bends and it's affordable. Bent up a ton of tube with it.

http://www.jd2.com/

The protools model 105 is basically the same thing, except it comes painted. People tend to buy whichever one is cheaper at the moment, or whichever one is on backorder for less time.

http://www.pro-tools.com/index.html

JD Squared and Protools also have nice notchers, but they are pretty expensive.

[jeepgod]

yes i have the pro tools 105hd.. i am very pleased with this bender.. and will be converting it to hydro here sometime..
as for the notcher.. i have the cheapy HF one and it's pretty loose.. i have done about 100 notches or so... if you plan on just doing a project or two... it will get the job done.. but if you plan on doing a few projects a year.. i would get a better one.. with roller bearings.. that is what i will be getting here shortly..

[A_Pmech]

Hello,

I don't think you can get much better than the "Ol' Joint Jigger" tubing notcher. It will notch tube up to 2" in diameter and accept up to 2" holesaws. This is plenty big enough for aircraft work and most steel tube fabrication work. The Joint Jigger is made here in America, is very ridgid for its size, uses plain bearings, and can be mounted to a work bench for use with a 1/2" drill. Alternatively, you can mount it in a drill press as I do:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/horteniv/jointjigger1.jpg

Using bi-metal hole saws you can comfortably use a surface speed of around 200FPM in mild, 150FPM or so in 4130, 600FPM in Aluminum if you setup will allow. Sulfur tapping oil is will increase the tool life and leave a better finish.

Here's their website: http://www.jointjigger.com/

I'm not associated with them in any way, just a satisfied user. :beer:

Edit: I noticed the current price on Joint Jigger's website for the RTN100 is $168.95. Wicks aircraft is selling the RTN100 for $150 in their current catalog. :)

[RockMonkey]

I'm a little confused about the joint jigger. This ordering page http://www.jointjigger.com/html/pricing.html makes it look like it comes with bushings, and you have to upgrade to optional bearings. If you want a notcher with bushings get the Harbor Freight one. It works great, except it has bushings that wear out and cause play in the arbor. The Protools is a slightly better deal for a high quality notcher with bearings. http://www.pro-tools.com/hsn500.htm
It looks like it's significantly heavier duty tool, as well. The Protools notcher is made from 1/2" plate versus 3/16" plate on the Joint Jigger.

The JD Squared TN-100 is a similar design. It uses needle bearings instead of bushings. I haven't used this one myself, but I have never heard anything bad about any JD Squared tools. At $197.50 it's slightly less expensive than the Protools or Joint Jigger. The web site doesn't list what materials it's made from.
http://www.jd2.com/

For comparison, here is the Harbor Freight notcher. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42324
For 1/4 the price of any of the other options you can see why many people use them. If you don't want to spend a ton or are not going to use it a lot this is a viable option. I've used one a lot. The bushings have gotten sloppy, but it is still useable. I've gotten my $50 bucks worth, but I think I only paid $29.99...

[cassiusclay]

Thank you all for your time and information it was very helpful
Thank You
Clay Reed

[rock_climber]

My Pro-Tools notcher
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Rock_Climber/DSCN1658.jpg

My Pro-Tools/Whiskey Creek bender

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Rock_Climber/DSCN0933.jpg

[Vicegrip]

i had no luck with a HF notcher and pitched it. Perhaps i got an unusually bad one. i did a lot of fish mouth by hand and ended up with one from JD squared. I did not see it in the link bud did see some newer ones so I would think it has been replaced with improved ones. The one I have is the real deal and cuts all kinds of angles from 90 to 180 to dead on the end of the pipe. It can also be clamped to an existing part of a cage for sleeve holes or to re cope during a "remodel"

The best bang for the buck in benders is the simple JD squared type. You can sometimes find them for sale used with die sets. I got mine used for less than the cost of two die sets and it came with the 2 that I use most and about 200 feet of DOM tubing. Don't bother with the HF hydraulic jack in a frame type for auto cage work. They bend tubing and pipe but dent it in the process. You can make pipe backers to protect the tube from the rollers but the bends are ugly and the tube gets flattened a bit in the bend. I don't work with tubing much thicker than 1.75 X .120 wall. If you plan to go thicker you might need to shell out more $ for a more robust bender.

[mulepackin]

On a related note, I've been looking for a rod bender that will bend 3/4 rod, to about a 2 1/2 or so radius. Something inexpensive, simple or plans for shop built. Any suggestions.

[Roospike]

On a related note, I've been looking for a rod bender that will bend 3/4 rod, to about a 2 1/2 or so radius. Something inexpensive, simple or plans for shop built. Any suggestions.

3/4" solid rod / bar stock to a 2 1/2" circle radius ?

Sounds like the need for a circle jig and an O/A torch.

[mulepackin]

3/4" solid rod / bar stock to a 2 1/2" circle radius ?

Sounds like the need for a circle jig and an O/A torch.

Thats pretty much how it's currently being done. The only bender I've found commercially that will do it is a Hausfeld ($$$$). The product I build with these on, I have to sell for relatively inexpensively, so I'm trying to keep costs down. I do have some uniformity of bend issues with heat, I also am getting demand for stainless steel, and I don't want the discoloration heat produces.

[jeepgod]

if you can mount the notcher in a drill press.. then the HF one would work great and the bushings would last longer.. myself.. i will be stepping up to the pro tools notcher.. better bearings and is 1/2" plates... even tho i just got a drill press.. i dont want to mount it to the press, since i do not want to always unbolt to drill a hole..

[TNToy]

I use a JD-squared notcher when I have to. Which is rarely.

Learn how to notch tubing with your chop saw (or angle grinder) and you'll rarely break out the holesaw-style notcher. Click the link in my signature. :)

[optikal]

i have some 1 1/2" OD 3/16th thick DOM tubing i'm needing to notch. i have a notcher set up in my drill press and the regular old bi metal hole saws are taking a dump before it even really starts to get into it. any other kind of hole saws out there that would work better for this application?

[Vicegrip]

Are you using a low speed and cutting oil? I have done 30 or more cuts in 1.5 dia tubing on a standard Husky or Milwaukee brand hole-saw. To fast and or no coolant and the saw teeth tips overheat and dull off.

[optikal]

went back to the shop tonight and got it all dialed in cutting like a champion. think i was tryin to cut too fast. slowed it down and got it all squared away.

[RockMonkey]

went back to the shop tonight and got it all dialed in cutting like a champion. think i was tryin to cut too fast. slowed it down and got it all squared away.

Get some cutting oil too. Really helps them last. My hole-saws always last for tons of notches in DOM tube. Here's a hint: If you're seeing sparks, those are your hole-saw's teeth coming off. Slow down and use cutting oil. It only takes a few drops of oil and your saws and drill bits will last a lot longer. Buy a bottle and it will last you a long time.