Do I need a tube notcher?

[ChevyCaGal]

Ok guys/gals...do I need a tube notcher (sp?) if I am welding tubing? I'm talking for a go-cart for now. But if I don't screw this up too bad and can attempt things for my Blazer then later on. I have the bender, am going to buy a welder soon and now am wondering if I need this? If so, what brand is good and cheap! Thanks!

Stephanie

"Suck Fumes Ford Boy"
"I love my country, I fear my government"
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[chevyfumes]

You don't NEED one, you could just use a grinder. You can never have enough tools though. I can smell the metal burnin' now...

<font color=blue> I'd rather have a bottle in front of me, than a frontal lobotomy!

 

[RedDwarf]

No, you don't need a notcher. Try this:
Using a chop saw, or sawzall(you DO have a sawzall, right? I can't imagine making anything w/o a sawzall) cut the tubing at 45 degrees on each side of center to make a "fishmouth". The mouth will fit perfectly over the other piece of tubing.

Only disadvantage this has is when you are trying to tie together two pieces of different diameter tubing. You will have to get creative there.

Lift It, Lock It, LIVE IT!!!

 

[JoeAngelicchio]

What kind of bender did you get and do you like it?

<font color=green>Joe Angelicchio
86 Jimmy 4+3, 35-&gt;39.5 tires,4spd</font color=green>

 

[FastEddy]

a tubing notcher will make things much easier and quicker. have built a few rollcages for my stock car and would'nt do it without a notcher. the cage turns out much better because you are not filling all the gaps by mig welding them shut, the notchers are fairly economical, just pick up a copy of circle track magazine, or open wheel magazine and you will find lots of ads for all kinds of notchers, benders, etc, everything you need to build a cage. the better notchers have two sets of needle bearings, an angle guage, etc and I would lean towards those. you can ever build your own it you are talented enough. it's mainly just an arbor with a little vice/clamp on it and a hole saw for metal. most are powered by your drill.....hope this helps...just my 2 cents...ED

 

[Pure Insanity]

no you dont NEED a notcher,but ill sayonce you do use one youll wonder how in the world you survived w/out it.i helped my old boss install a cage in a car he drag raced,by grinding in the fishmouths.then i helped another friend build a full tube chassis for his drag car,he had a notcher.nothing like it!!!jegs shows one for $150.00.i think my buddy paid much less than that.ill check w/ him later today,and find out what i can.

PURE INSANITY
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[blazen91]

Go to Harbor Fright and get one there. They are cheap(and inexspensive) but you will get an idea on if you want one or not. The one I have is the kind that uses a hole saw to do the notching. It is slow, but gives a great weld serface.

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[ChevyCaGal]

It was at an yardsale....I dunno the brand, it's all dinged up and can't tell anymore. It was $25 bucks...seems to work ok. Bent a 2" tube with some effort. It has to be at least 20 years old. Sheesh it has to weigh at least 75 pounds. Whatever works right? Besides the price was right......

"Suck Fumes Ford Boy"
"I love my country, I fear my government"
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[smp]

HELL YA $25 for a tubing bender i'd be all over that.
I would invest in a notcher it will be a much cleaner joint and in the end you will be happier

do it right the first time.


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