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What to use to cut brass tubes?

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  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Saturday, May 23, 2015 8:49 AM

How do the inner tubes get scored, if you only score the outer tube?

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Friday, May 22, 2015 8:37 AM

Don Stauffer

For telescoping tubes, if you combine the tubes first, the scoring method will not work. I do them separately, but the IDs all match common drill bits.  I merely ream cut end with the proper drill.

Respectfully, not true. The trick ids to take a little longer, go slower, and move the cut as close to the end of the inner tube before snapping it.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    August 2008
Posted by tankerbuilder on Friday, May 22, 2015 8:37 AM

Hello !

Hey Mits .You just pointed out something that anyone whose used any tubing cutter knows . Do Not try to cut through on the first pass . Watch a plumber cutting tubing .They do it just like you said !

  • Member since
    August 2008
Posted by tankerbuilder on Friday, May 22, 2015 8:33 AM

Ditto ! Best little tool I ever bought ! Works great on brass , aluminium and steel as well as copper , cast acrylic( Very Gentle here ) and regular styrene plastic ( like Evergreen tubing ) P.S. You can get a handy all metal one at Harbor Freight too .Doesn't cut quite as small though .

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Thursday, April 30, 2015 8:44 AM

For telescoping tubes, if you combine the tubes first, the scoring method will not work. I do them separately, but the IDs all match common drill bits.  I merely ream cut end with the proper drill.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    February 2007
Posted by mitsdude on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 11:26 PM

Hobby Lobby has the K&S tube cutter. About $4.50 with coupon.

Its not very robust but it gets the job done. Except for the blade its all plastic. If you cut lots of brass you might want something more heavy duty.

This cuts up to 5/8" in diameter. Also cuts aluminum and copper.

One hint on using this don't try to cut through the whole tube in one turn. Make several turns, each time twist the knob to advance the blade a little bit deeper.

 

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 6:41 PM

I have another brand, same idea. Never use a saw and miter box again.

A tip- if you plan to telescope tubes inside of each other, do it first, then cut the larger one over the smaller one. Any time a tube cutter is used it reduces the inside diameter, which makes later tight fits a pain.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Longmont, Colorado
Posted by Cadet Chuck on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 6:29 PM

K & S tube cutter-  "Aye, that's the ticket, Laddie!"

Gimme a pigfoot, and a bottle of beer...

  • Member since
    December 2011
Posted by Chrisk-k on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 11:38 AM

Although I have a bunch of files and a Dremel, I'm very interested in the K & S cutter.  Does it also cut brass rods?  If so, it's a no brainer to order one.  

Iwata HP-CS | Iwata HP-CR | Iwata HP-M2 | H&S Evolution | Iwata Smart Jet + Sparmax Tank

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 8:57 AM

I have a K & S cutter, but I only use it for the larger diameters, quarter inch and up.  For the small stuff I use the "score with Xacto" method.  One caveat with that though.  You need to hold the knife blade exactly perpendicular to axis of tube.  Otherwise you will scribe a helix and it will not break when you try.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    August 2013
Posted by Jay Jay on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 7:49 AM

I use an abrasive disk in my Dremel moto tool.  It cuts tubing like butter.

 

 

 

 

 

 I'm finally retired. Now time I got, money I don't.

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: MN
Posted by Nathan T on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 7:35 AM

.5 mm. That is easily cut with an exacto by rolling it on your cutting mat while lightly pressing down. Don't try and cut through it. Just score a line. Then take a small plyers and snap it off right on the line. You will get a clean cut each time. Allbion alloys has excellent YouTube vids on this.

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2014
Posted by BLACKSMITHN on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 7:09 AM

I second the tube cutter. I found a small one at the local hw store and have used it for metal, styrene and PVC.

  • Member since
    April 2012
Posted by Dodger57 on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 2:11 AM

I used a little K&S tube cutter - link below to it on Amazon - your local hardware store may have something similar. The K&S cutter is perfect for the sizes of styrene and brass I use in modeling. :)

www.amazon.com/.../B000BQPYYK

  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: Poland
Posted by Pawel on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 2:07 AM

Hello!

I used a little triangular file to cut a slight groove around the tube and than break it off and file the edges even. Works even better to grip the tube to be cut in my motor tool instead of a drill bit, turn the motor on, not too much revs, and then just put the file to the rotating tube - something like a lathe - to make sure the groove is nice, straight and even. Hope it helps - good luck and have a nice day

Paweł

All comments and critique welcomed. Thanks for your honest opinions!

www.vietnam.net.pl

  • Member since
    December 2011
What to use to cut brass tubes?
Posted by Chrisk-k on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 10:36 PM

I need to cut a 0.5 mm brass tube.  Should I use a knife, a razor saw, a nipper, or something else? 

Iwata HP-CS | Iwata HP-CR | Iwata HP-M2 | H&S Evolution | Iwata Smart Jet + Sparmax Tank

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