Round tubing

[handirifle]

Since I welded up my trailer with round tubing, I spoke with someone (online or in person, not sure) and they told me about how to easily "notch" tubing with a cutoff saw, by setting it at "?" degree and cutting both side, and it's a near perfect fit. This is for a 90 deg angle only. Anyone know this trick and what the setting should be? I realize this is not a perfect deal but it has to be better than my last endeavor. I do not want to buy a tubing notcher, too slow.

 

[CalG]

try 45 degrees on some scrap and see how it goes.

 

[DT86]

How about this?

How to Notch Tubing Perfectly for Cheap! - YouTube

 

[CNC Dan]

There was a good wright up about this somewhere out there. I think it was pirate 4X4. And there are some online template programs that let you print a template you wrap around the tube.

You may try adding "fishmouth" to your search terms.

 

[Shield Arc]

I've never done it with a chop saw myself. A guy posted this.

 

[stuckmotor]

I tried the fishmouth technique before I saw the video at the link DT86 put up. I had trouble getting both sides of the fishmouth even. I think I could do a better job after watching the video.

 

[IslandTractor]

Harbor Freight sells a tool/implement that makes fish mouth cuts and works with either a drill press or power drill and a set of bimetal hole saws. Does a decent job but you should make some test cuts first as the HF tool needs a bit of shimming to make perfectly accurate cuts. I've used it on 1.25" tubing and it was good enough for a chicken coop!!

 

[stuckmotor]

Island Tractor.
I've thought hard about getting one of those notchers and read the reviews. For the price, it might be better than making a jig to cut even fish mouths on my bandsaw.
You live in Rhode Island and built a chicken coop. Please tell me you have Rhode Island Reds.

 

[crazyal]

Unless you think you'll never want to notch another tube get the Harbor Freight notcher. I think they do up to a 2" pipe. I've used mine for building roll cages and other pipe projects. I just clamp the notcher in a vise and use a 1/2" drill. It can do angles past 45 degrees. I've tried pretty much every other way, from using a cutoff saw to a 4 1/2" grinder and they always left me trying to fill a gap. The first weld I did after using a notcher was a "why the f&*# did I wait so long" moment.

 

[IslandTractor]

Island Tractor. I've thought hard about getting one of those notchers and read the reviews. For the price, it might be better than making a jig to cut even fish mouths on my bandsaw. You live in Rhode Island and built a chicken coop. Please tell me you have Rhode Island Reds.

Of course!! Actually I just built a frame so a neighbor with the chickens could add a run on to her chicken coop. The notcher did a nice job. I get eggs in return.

 

[stuckmotor]

Those Rhode Island Reds are some nice chickens. :licking:

 

[joefromga]

 

[handirifle]

I do not have the patience to do it like the video. I copied the chart from above and might give that a whirl. The more I think about it, the more I think it was the steel supplier I got the tubing from. They built an entire race car roll bar system using that method, and their weld up looked fantastic, to me anyway.

I will check out the HF model though.

 

[Oldpath05]

Notching and squaring are the two big reasons why I'd rather make things with square tubing. I'd only use round tubing for maybe pickup accessory's or if I need round to go inside of something round to go around, or if it's given to me. So why so many people like using it, is round tubing stronger, cheaper, or dose everyone like the extra challenge of making a good fit.............

 

[stuckmotor]

I've thought of using round tubing for a ladder rack thinking that it might offer less wind resistance.

 

[dbtechnicalserv]

I've never done it with a chop saw myself. A guy posted this.

Great information to save for future reference.

 

[dbtechnicalserv]

Notching and squaring are the two big reasons why I'd rather make things with square tubing. I'd only use round tubing for maybe pickup accessory's or if I need round to go inside of something round to go around, or if it's given to me. So why so many people like using it, is round tubing stronger, cheaper, or dose everyone like the extra challenge of making a good fit.............

Check out the specification on similar tubing sizes. Basically, round is stronger when subjected to lateral loads and twisting.

 

[IslandTractor]

Notching and squaring are the two big reasons why I'd rather make things with square tubing. I'd only use round tubing for maybe pickup accessory's or if I need round to go inside of something round to go around, or if it's given to me. So why so many people like using it, is round tubing stronger, cheaper, or dose everyone like the extra challenge of making a good fit.............

I'm neither a structural engineer nor did I even sleep in a certain motel last night but IIRC, round tube is pound for pound stronger.

 

[handirifle]

I got into this round tubing thing, only because I built an ATV trailer from it, the metal was fairly low compared to rectangular or square. It IS a PITA to work with though.

 

[Jim Timber]

It IS a PITA to work with though.

That's debatable. You just don't have the experience yet. Square is easier in some respects, and round has other advantages.

Just get a mill and be done with it. You'll thank me later.