29 Nov
2012
29 Nov
'12
12:04 p.m.
OK. Thanks for that. I've got the Tygon tubing in
hand and will try
that first. Having a little trouble coming up with a good way to cut
it squarely though as it likes to deform while cutting. This is causing
the first attempts to come out non-uniform in height. I think I need
to put a 7/16" dowel inside it and then cut it on the dowel (or through
the dowel in a small mitre box)-- unless others have a good technique
for getting a nice square cut?
What I do is this :
Cut an over-long piece roughly, making sure I haev enough to cut the
ragged ends off and still have the bit I want.
Put the tubing on suitable rod as a mandrel Any material will do, wood,
steel, etc.
Put it i nthe 3 jaw chucj of the lathe. Hold a knife against the side of
the toolpost and move the altter to get the blade where I want if over
the tubing.
Tunr the lathe _by hand_. Don't even think of using the motor unless you
wanta knife blade stuck in you. Prest the blade agaisn the tubing to cut it.
Move the toolpost to ge the lrnght of tubing I wnt. cut again
Slide the bits off the mandrel and keep the one I want.
Since you don't need the accuracy of the lathe, you might be able to rig
soemthign up usin a hand drill, a block of fwood to guide the knife
against, etc.
-tony