how do you cut a tube?

Home / the12volt's Install Bay / Car Audio / how do you cut a tube? (

Topic Closed)

Welcome Guest :)

Members

Next Page > < Prev Topic Next Topic >

bigjohnny

Copper - Posts: 293

Joined: September 23, 2008

Location: Ontario, Canada

Posted: October 20, 2008 at 8:45 PM / IP Logged

Long story short, I need to make a nice square cut on a 12.5" tube.

How do I make an accurate mark, and furthermore an accurate cut all the way around it?

the tube is a sonotube.... just hard cardboard.

i am an idiot

Platinum - Posts: 13,674

This member consistently provides reliable information

Joined: September 21, 2006

Location: Louisiana, United States

Posted: October 20, 2008 at 9:02 PM / IP Logged

Get 2 pieces of posterboard, usually 22 x 28 inches, Glue them together to make them 22 x 42 inches. Make sure they are square, the 42 inch piece should make a straight line. When the glue dries, wrap them around the tube matching the ends up, they will overlap by an inch or 2. With the edges lined up, using a marker of some sort, mark the tube.

I have no help for you cutting it, the way I would do it is not safe and I do not reccomend it.

04nata

Copper - Posts: 358

Joined: April 22, 2008

Posted: October 21, 2008 at 12:43 PM / IP Logged

Table saw and a miter gauge

sneakycyber

Silver - Posts: 413

Joined: September 13, 2005

Location: United States

Posted: October 21, 2008 at 2:40 PM / IP Logged

Ditto on the last post. That's how I do it. Although you usually have to remove the blade guard which is dangerous. I have a scar on my thumb that proves it.

i am an idiot

Platinum - Posts: 13,674

Joined: September 21, 2006

Location: Louisiana, United States

Posted: October 21, 2008 at 3:05 PM / IP Logged

sneakycyber wrote:

Ditto on the last post. That's how I do it. Although you usually have to remove the blade guard which is dangerous. I have a scar on my thumb that proves it.

I guess that is why I was not going to tell you how I would cut it.

DYohn

Moderator - Posts: 10,741

This member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.

This member has been recognized as an authority in Electrical Theory. Click here for more info.

This member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Audio and Video. Click here for more info.

Joined: April 22, 2003

Location: Arizona, United States

Posted: October 21, 2008 at 3:27 PM / IP Logged

If you use a piece of paper to mark your line like was suggested in post #2, you can cut it using a fine-toothed blade in a jig saw or scroll saw if you and have an assistant to roll the tube while you guide the saw. I've seen them cut on table saws by clamping a piece of wood to the fence to hold the tube against at the proper length then roll the tube into the blade and turn it along the cut line. Again, two people make this job much safer.

Support the12volt.com

i am an idiot

Platinum - Posts: 13,674

Joined: September 21, 2006

Location: Louisiana, United States

Posted: October 21, 2008 at 5:20 PM / IP Logged

DYohn wrote:

Again, two people make this job much safer.

Or twice as dangerous.

KPierson

Platinum - Posts: 3,527

Joined: April 14, 2005

Location: Ohio, United States

Posted: October 21, 2008 at 6:28 PM / IP Logged

Sonoco (makers of the sonotube) would cut it by spinning the tube and using a stationary round blade - I know because I've seen 'em do it!

Not sure you would spin a 12" tube though, unless you have access to a decent size lathe. That would be a surefire way to make it perfect though.

Kevin Pierson

aznboi3644

Gold - Posts: 2,600

Joined: May 01, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: October 21, 2008 at 7:15 PM / IP Logged

I use either my jig saw or my circular saw...it works.

Highly doubt my method of using a jigsaw is safe but oh well...I use what I have.

bigjohnny

Copper - Posts: 293

Joined: September 23, 2008

Location: Ontario, Canada

Posted: October 21, 2008 at 9:00 PM / IP Logged

Safety guards?? the only saw i have access to was built in like 1920 or something.... safety isnt part of its design lol.

My cut came out funny, as it was traced and cut AROUND the tube, instead of being able to make a cut straight across the tube, at an angle.

I might still be able to work with it, im not sure.... but I otherwise cant figure out a way to;

cut the tube without using this ancient tablesaw with no guides of any kind

and/or

mark the tube in such a way that the angle is marked across the tube instead of around, or the tube curve is compensated for or something.

I still have to figure out if i can use this piece i cut... i might be able to...

the next hardest part is marking the oblong hole onto the angled baffle board.

I have to stop taking on odd/angled projects heh.

Next Page >

Printable version

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Search the12volt.com

Follow the12volt.com

Disclaimer: *All information on this site ( the12volt.com ) is provided "as is" without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular use. Any user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and use of this information. Please verify all wire colors and diagrams before applying any information.