Brass Chassis Tube Cutting

[War Machine]

Seeing as the chassis disc spacing tubes are all out of stock at the moment, it looks like I'll be buying the 3/16 brass tube from the shop and cutting it myself. My question is, what's the best method for cutting this kind of tubing? I was thinking dremmel with cutting wheel.

Any other suggestions ?

http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Brass-316-OD-tube-P771.aspx?ItemId=5195914

[Cire Yeldarb]

I usually just use my dremel. Though I am sure there are probably better ways out there as well

[TrypWyr]

I use a band saw and belt sander to clean up / square off the ends. Just a note when using power tools like this: if you are manipulating a very small section, like under an inch or two, use a scrap piece of threaded rod (~4" or more) to help stabilize it. You can even put a nut on there to act as a "stop".

[Greenie]

Mini pipe cutter

13190

Probably about $5 from K&S Metals :mrgreen:

[NanoRex]

Mini pipe cutter

13190

Probably about $5 from K&S Metals :mrgreen:

That looks interesting. How does it work?

[darth_chasm]

Just like a normal pipe cutter. You place the tube in tighten down slightly and turn the tube or cutter. When it becomes easier to turn, you tighten down again and so on. It does leave some indentation and flaring so I use a dremel to clean up the ends afterward.

I can say that this does take a bit of doing on the brass tubes from TCSS. They're relatively quite thick.

PS. I love this little tool.

[Greenie]

It does leave some indentation and flaring so I use a dremel to clean up the ends afterward..............
.............PS. I love this little tool.

Me too! You can also clean up with a few twists of a countersink bit (like a de-burring tool).
When I found that little tool, I also got me some bending springs.

13191

[darth_chasm]

Yep, the springs are great. I have those as well.

I also have this for solid rod. Great for making different shapes. This is what I use for my d/v/u-rings. :) Can't remember the brand, but it's not from K&S.

13192

[Greenie]

Dude! I'm gonna make me one of those with something from the scrap/parts bin :idea:

[darth_chasm]

Dude! I'm gonna make me one of those with something from the scrap/parts bin :idea:

It's a great little tool. With a little practice, you can get perfect circles, nice S curves, and even torsion springs if you use some music wire.