Tubing Notchers?

[LowNFToy]

Any of you here use the tubing notchers that let you use a hand drill? If so what are your opinions?

If using a hand drill isnt the best way to go.. would they be fine to use with a press?

Found a few on ebay for less than $50, but I've heard the clamp part comes loose/bends and the bushing wears out or something. Anyone know? Thanks

 

[Fast Orange]

I don't have any personal experience with one,but my friends that do roll cage work like both the Williams "lo-Buck" tube notcher and the "Ol' Joint Jigger" units available from various speed shops/fab suppliers.Both guys run thiers on drill presses,and I've never heard of them having problems with them.
On one of the other forums I frequent(Shop Floor Talk?) there was mention of using a chop saw to fit the tubes.I believe you had to "fine tune" the fit with a die grinder to get optimal fit,though.

George

 

[LowNFToy]

Would one like this work or no?

http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.aspx?itemnumber=G8686

Ive been getting mixed opinions.. figured this would be the best place to ask!

 

[REFLEXX]

pay for junk, get junk. I've got plenty of Harbor Freight tools. but the tubing notcher was garbage.

The one above looks good. How much? If you can find one that's american made, then it will hold up. the drill press is a must. take a look at www.Pirate4x4.com. this debate's been raging for a long time.

"Sand Sports" magazine just tested a high dollar (endmill) notcher, a hole saw type (above) and the chop saw + grinder method. the difference? Surprisingly, not much at all!


I just built a hydro tubing bender (SWEET!!!) and will use the chop saw method of notching.


my 2.5c

REFLEXX

 

[astroracer]

I picked up a HF notcher off eBay for 30 bucks shipped. It does the job, I notched all of these tubes in less then half an hour with a 1/2" drill.

The fit-up was acceptable...

If you are going to be notching a LOT of tubing I would say go for the better unit but, if this is a hobby thing like myself, I can buy 3 or 4 HF pieces for the price of one of the better units and still be happy. My HF notcher worked fine and I am happy with it...
Mark

 

[muddy]

As he said, if only doing occasionally go for the less expensive units as he has done. I use to do the chop saw and angle grind method years ago and although it takes longer can be done effectively.
Currently I have a more high end unit from Mittler Bros. Machine and Tool from Foristell,MO. I have one of their air/hydraulic tubing benders, so I bought their air/hydraulic tubing notcher since I already have the pump. Quick disconnect fittings make it a snap and the blade is lifetime warrantied....makes notching FUN! Keith

 

[LowNFToy]

The one I posted above is around $50-60

 

[Brian]

For tube notching I wonder why you couldn't just use a drill press with a tilting bed and a vise to hold the tube.
will a regular drill press vise not hold the tube securely enough? Would it put too much side load on the drill press shaft? Is it about accuracy and convenience?
It seems to me like it would work.

 

[astroracer]

I did it that way for a long time... The drill press works but the set-up time is double what it is when using a notcher... Chatter is a big problem also. Especially when notching at an angle. You really need to slow down the feed rate on the saw until it gets a good "bite" on the cut and even then it will shake the vise jaws loose halfway though a cut... I would have been most of the afternoon notching that pile of tubing I put up in my first post. I was done in 1/2 an hour with a cheap notcher and I am never going back...
Mark

 

[Uncle Buck]

The " Ol Joint Jiggler as previously mentioned, been around for some time and it is supposed to have a good reputation.

 

[Uncle Buck]

The " Ol Joint Jiggler as previously mentioned, been around for some time and it is supposed to have a good reputation.

 

[Brian]

The drill press works but the set-up time is double what it is when using a notcher... Chatter is a big problem also. Especially when notching at an angle. You really need to slow down the feed rate on the saw until it gets a good "bite" on the cut and even then it will shake the vise jaws loose halfway though a cut... I would have been most of the afternoon notching that pile of tubing I put up in my first post. I was done in 1/2 an hour with a cheap notcher and I am never going back...

Sounds like if you are going to just be doing a few tubes the drill press would be OK but any larger quantity and the notcher would be worth while.
Thanks.

 

[FM117]

I've had a Joint Jigger brand for about 5 years, cut lots of tube with it and
it works pretty well. If you do smaller tubing, say 5/8ths and under you need to
be real careful not to break the teeth of the holesaw.
I usually clamp mine in a vise and run the thing with a Snap-on air drill.
Since I got the Bridgeport I use it for smaller tubes, it's much easier
on the little stuff.
Some day I might rig up some arbors that would let me drive endmills
with the joint jigger, think that would work well fot the little stuff.
Dave