7.250 long 3" ss tube

[3axisrookie]

They had a tube cutter, but it broke, in the process of getting a new one installed. So cut these in the cut off saw. Need to make the edges straight somehow. Thought I could maybe put in the 3 jaw chuck and take it very easy, but definitely not going to work. It ripped it right out of the chuck.

The next thing I was going to try is indicating it straight up on the mill, also supporting it somehow with something like an angle plate and face mill very light cuts. Side mill would be supported much better, but with such a long cutter, not sure how it would work. Put it off to the side and wait to tomorrow.

There are only 12, so doesn't matter how time consuming. Looking for any ideas. Thanks.

[Karl_T]

Does your lathe chuck have replaceable jaws? if so, make a really long set of soft jaws, say six inches. Then it will be a piece of cake to use the lathe.

[Kiwi]

Either turn up a plug to slip inside or a ring to fit on outside to support the tube when clamping in your chuck.

[mc-motorsports]

Just use a good chop saw blade and you can just hold the tube against the back rest without even clamping it. Don't use those Home Depot blades, they are too thin, might but a little faster, but they flex. i cut SS tube all the time on my chop saw, no problem.. Or are you trying to use a toothed blade on your cut off saw? Abrasive blade is the way to go when you can't clamp it down very tight.

[3axisrookie]

Was cutting them on regular cut off saw with tooth blade. But going to end up cutting them on another saw with abrasive blade, just had to order the blades.

Thanks for all the replies. Soft jaws on the lathe or mill would be good to make just to have.

[mc-motorsports]

Abrasive wheel is the way to go! Just make sure to order the good ones, I think the ones I buy are Norton, anyway, 3/32" thick... 1/16 cuts faster, but they tend to flex, 3/32 is more hesitant to flex, 1/8" won't.

MC

[Alvin32]

Here is a neat trick that you can try. First turn 2 plugs that fits snug into the end of the tube, them drill and ream a 1/2 or 5/8 hole through each plug. The plugs can be about 1-1/2 long. Insert the plug into each end of the tube, chuck the pipe with just enough pressure to hold it, then put a piece of 1/2" doweling into your tailstock using a drill chuck, Then slid your tailstock up to the tube and insert the dowel into drilled bung, now tighten the chuck up and you are ready to face the end of , just turn the part around and repeat the process. This will work well with just about any size tubing. Hope this helps Alvin

[MFassler]

stuff like this is why pie jaws were invented they are your friend in a lathe, or you could always just stick em in a mill vise and cut both ends at once