Tube Notching With a Lathe

[exwestracer]

I'd mentioned this in the Baleigh Notcher thread, but figured it was different enough to start a separate thread. I'd used one of these years ago, but I didn't know where to get the tube vise, so I had a student build one for his shop project. The only critical dimension is having the "V" centerline even with the spindle centerline. We also added an indexing plate to align the vise with the tool post T slot. That way the compound rest can be set to the exact angle desired for the notch. An end mill is chucked up in the lathe and spun as you would in a milling machine. This one will hold any size round tube from 1-2".



The student did a great job, this thing kicks ass!

[Quickboat]

You could have used a hole saw for that matter and plunged into it....just my two cents..

[Chris02rex]

Thats an awesome idea. Seems quite expensive to get all the different sized cutters but still a cool idea.

[Quickboat]

Nessesity is the mother of invention....

[exwestracer]

Quickboat, you're right about the hole saw idea, but I'd want a pretty hefty arbor to hold it. The Milwaukee, etc. core drilling bits would work even better. We had the cutters for the milling machine already...

This is MUCH faster to set up than a milling machine, as you don't have to re-find center for each size of tubing. It's mainly just for demonstration for the students, although I'm sure it will get used on projects as well.