Tube notching / fishmouths

[ant1277]

What's the best way to find angle of tube for notching ?

[JSFAB]

It's been talked about here before, many times. Dig around in this link you'll probably find the answer you are looking for.

[JonnyTIG]

I don't know if this will help, but there is a free program called 'tube miter' online, look it up, download it.... it will print templates for miter joints on all sizes of tube up to around 3.5". It will calculate all angles, and print temps for connecting different sized tubes together of different wall thickness.

[tom37]

Here is a link for pipe joints, enter the numbers and thickness and just hit submit. It opens a printable page with the template on it. I have never used it myself, just came across it and thought it was worth saving.

http://www.harderwoods.com/pipetemplate.php

Good Luck

[1havnfun]

Tubemiter program

here is copy of the FREE tube miter program(runs in windows)

I had "Zip it" to upload it.

Everthing MM but it works pretty good

[6pakdakota]

those programs are worthless unless you are notching with a saw or a grinder. if you already know the intersection angle, you know the notch angle too. i just fit up a cage yesterday and eyeballed every notch in the car. every tube fit perfect on the first cut.

[SundownIII]

6pak,

Hope you didn't sprain your shoulder too badly, PATTING YOURSELF ON THE BACK.

That really helped the OP I'm sure.

[6pakdakota]

i'm not trying to pat myself on the back. I'm just tryig to say that if i can do it, anyone can.

[Sammy]

Here is a link to a program!

http://www.cobratorch.net/ttn_dxf

[overkill 19]

I use these http://www.vansantent.com/pipeMaster.htm with ,

I made a set of "jigs" one end has the tubing size I'm fabing about 8" long with the pipe master on it, then I have a second pieace of tubing " I have various lenth's" smaller so it will slide in side the first piece then U can put it in the gap, slide it apart, get your fit with the "pipe master" take it out trasfer it on to you work pieace then do the other end. it works for me. Not perfect and takes a little time but I find its easier than the programs, for the amount of tubing U will waste trying different bends,notches IMO its faster to try it, and it does not fit save it for another project and build another pieace than it is to mess around with a computer.

[Horns]

One thing I've found hard to find out and am still looking for info on is finding what point to go off of from a bend in tubing, since there is no edge, where do you measure from?

[On fire most of the time]

You can use the edge of a bending die as your mark.

If you bend your own tubing, mark where the die edge is at the start, and you'll have a reference point. I hope that helps you with your question.

[con_fuse9]

One thing I've found hard to find out and am still looking for info on is finding what point to go off of from a bend in tubing, since there is no edge, where do you measure from?

Ron Covell has an excellent video on working with tubing - goes into how to accurately use a tube bender. One thing he doesn't mention though if you change material, or even supplier, the spring back on tubing might change. Do a practice bend with each lot and keep notes.

I believe you can actually rent Covell's videos on some web sites.

[Horns]

$40 Holy crap!

[PTsideshow]

Here is a photo demo of chop saw pipe notching, don't get no easier that this
Pirate 4x4 chop saw notching photo demo