Looking for advice on cutting thin plastic tubes
Moderators: HopefulSSer, admin
Looking for advice on cutting thin plastic tubes
If you even purchased the 2' lengths of t-track from Rockler you will know the tubing I'm trying to cut.
I've tried with a thin hand saw and with the miter saw both have been less then wonderful.
In the end I want a couple of "viewtainer" sort of containers that are 10" long. I can do a couple more test cuts before I have to get the money cut.
Ed
I've tried with a thin hand saw and with the miter saw both have been less then wonderful.
In the end I want a couple of "viewtainer" sort of containers that are 10" long. I can do a couple more test cuts before I have to get the money cut.
Ed
{Knight of the Shopsmith} [Hero's don't wear capes, they wear dog tags]
Re: Looking for advice on cutting thin plastic tubes
I don't have any good advice for you. Last time I tried using the bandsaw and then a table router but got similar results as you. But the router was probably better, just not great.
-
- Gold Member
- Posts: 95
- Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2017 6:21 pm
Re: Looking for advice on cutting thin plastic tubes
Would a bandsaw with a fine blade make a nicer cut?
520 now upgraded to Mark 7, 520 "shorty", 500 converted to a dedicated drill press.
2 - bandsaws, jig saw, belt sander, strip sander, 4" Jointer, planer, air compressor.
ClearVue dust collection system.
Location: Central Iowa
2 - bandsaws, jig saw, belt sander, strip sander, 4" Jointer, planer, air compressor.
ClearVue dust collection system.
Location: Central Iowa
Re: Looking for advice on cutting thin plastic tubes
I would insert a wood dowel the diameter of the tube and then cut it. It would need to be a tight fit.
- BuckeyeDennis
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 3683
- Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2012 10:03 pm
- Location: Central Ohio
Re: Looking for advice on cutting thin plastic tubes
I’m leaning toward the dowel plug idea myself, but with a twist.
First cut the tube(s) to rough length with a saw. Chuck up an oversized dowel (or block) in lathe mode, and turn a slightly-tapered tenon to fit inside the tube. Mount the tube “between centers” and dress the rough cut with a parting tool, right on top of the tenon. The tenon is semi-sacrificial, but it should be good for several cuts.
If you turn a groove in the tenon at the part-off line, you could even sand/polish the cut end of the tube.
First cut the tube(s) to rough length with a saw. Chuck up an oversized dowel (or block) in lathe mode, and turn a slightly-tapered tenon to fit inside the tube. Mount the tube “between centers” and dress the rough cut with a parting tool, right on top of the tenon. The tenon is semi-sacrificial, but it should be good for several cuts.
If you turn a groove in the tenon at the part-off line, you could even sand/polish the cut end of the tube.
Re: Looking for advice on cutting thin plastic tubes
Hot knife.
Ed from Rhode Island
510 PowerPro Double Tilt:Greenie PowerPro Drill Press:500 Sanding Shorty w/Belt&Strip Sanders
Super Sawsmith 2000:Scroll Saw w/Stand:Joint-Matic:Power Station:Power Stand:Bandsaw:Joiner:Jigsaw
1961 Goldie:1960 Sawsmith RAS:10ER
510 PowerPro Double Tilt:Greenie PowerPro Drill Press:500 Sanding Shorty w/Belt&Strip Sanders
Super Sawsmith 2000:Scroll Saw w/Stand:Joint-Matic:Power Station:Power Stand:Bandsaw:Joiner:Jigsaw
1961 Goldie:1960 Sawsmith RAS:10ER
Re: Looking for advice on cutting thin plastic tubes
Insert a dowel into the plastic tube so as to maintain its dimension, and then use a nice, sharp tubing cutter to "slice" the plastic instead of trying to cut it.
Just my 2 cents.
Edit: I think your lathe approach would probably work too, but would be more work.
Just my 2 cents.
Edit: I think your lathe approach would probably work too, but would be more work.
Re: Looking for advice on cutting thin plastic tubes
I would try the dowel inside then mounted in chuck and while turning I would use a utility knife to do the cutting. If I would use the bandsaw I would use dowel inside with tape around the plastic to then make the cut, if necessary then sanding disc to smooth edge.
Re: Looking for advice on cutting thin plastic tubes
I wonder if a wooden dowel inserted in the plastic as has been suggested along with a pipe cutter would give you a clean cut.
- Attachments
-
- 79EE6DA5-F82B-477E-BEBF-3E3D9A0CE227.jpeg (223.23 KiB) Viewed 4256 times
- chapmanruss
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 3448
- Joined: Tue Aug 26, 2014 8:16 pm
- Location: near Portland, Oregon
Re: Looking for advice on cutting thin plastic tubes
I have been thinking about this since I read the post yesterday. My suggestion would be to use an X-Acto saw blade. They have very fine teeth for doing delicate work.
Russ
Mark V completely upgraded to Mark 7
Mark V 520
All SPT's & 2 Power Stations
Model 10ER S/N R64000 first one I restored on bench w/ metal ends & retractable casters.
Has Speed Changer, 4E Jointer, Jig Saw with lamp, a complete set of original accessories & much more.
Model 10E's S/N's 1076 & 1077 oldest ones I have restored. Mark 2 S/N 85959 restored. Others to be restored.
Mark V completely upgraded to Mark 7
Mark V 520
All SPT's & 2 Power Stations
Model 10ER S/N R64000 first one I restored on bench w/ metal ends & retractable casters.
Has Speed Changer, 4E Jointer, Jig Saw with lamp, a complete set of original accessories & much more.
Model 10E's S/N's 1076 & 1077 oldest ones I have restored. Mark 2 S/N 85959 restored. Others to be restored.