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is the cheapie tubing notcher from Harbor Freight worth it???

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by DanStew, Dec 25, 2004.

  1. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    I am thinknig bout getting the tubing notcher from harbor freight so i can fishmouth the tubes for th eroll cage. Is it worth the $30 it is, or should i just use the saw to "V" out th etube and grind to round it off.
     
    DanStew, Dec 25, 2004
    #1
  2. blevisay

    blevisay Oh Noooooooooooooooo! Staff Member

    $30 is cheap for a tool....IMO
     
    blevisay, Dec 25, 2004
    #2
  3. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    yeah, you get what you pay for, pretty much it is jsut the backet to hold everything together, i have to add the hand drill and the hole saw blade.
     
    DanStew, Dec 25, 2004
    #3
  4. JohnyJeep

    JohnyJeep BLOWING A XING NEAR U@2AM

    I used this program to make paper templates for notching the tubing.

    http://www.tonyfoale.com/software.htm

    Scroll to the very bottom of the page, and thats the one I used.


    You just have to go online to find conversion from metric to standard. Once I traced the pattern, I just used a bandsaw and a bench grinder to do the job.
     
    JohnyJeep, Dec 26, 2004
    #4
  5. Jeepenstein

    Jeepenstein Me like Jeep.. 2024 Sponsor

    I'll put it this way.. it works.. sort of.. I'd spend the money on a better one next time.. the prob is the clamp is not quite square with the arbor so my fishmouths are not centered on the pipe.. not sure if they are all that way but that's how mine was.. luckily I got mine real cheap, 10$ used at the flea market I modified it to work but it still kinda sucks. Gonna make my own I think..


    BUBBA
     
    Jeepenstein, Dec 26, 2004
    #5
  6. Project71-5

    Project71-5 BACON

    Used the chopsaw and angle grinder with cutoff wheel for mine. I also used the program online to print out templates to use on the tube.

    Metric to standard conversion is 1" = 25.4 mm
     
    Project71-5, Dec 26, 2004
    #6
  7. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    I did use the grinder and sawzall to cut out the notches, had some problems judging the notches, but eventually got everything to fit. It is tacked down now, but i may redo a few pieces because i was jsut not too happy
     
    DanStew, Dec 26, 2004
    #7
  8. ljspop

    ljspop Lurking Bronco Dude


    Uh.... UWOP?
     
    ljspop, Dec 27, 2004
    #8
  9. Hansh

    Hansh Going Mobile

    I have used quality metal hole saws and held the tubing in a vise. This works to get you pretty close and then grind the notch to make your final fit.
     
    Hansh, Dec 29, 2004
    #9