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[Andy_k]

can anybody out there give me some advice on cutting acrylic tubing for my WTC I have tried using a hacksaw but I am unable to get a straight edge can anyone help
desperate of south wales

[Roadrunner]

you need a mitre box...

http://www.screwfix.com/cats/A335557/Hand-Tools/Saws/Mitre-Saws-Boxes

guaranteed straight cuts,and more
 
prices from £5 for the standard box or what i have the saw and box built as one , with any angles available via the switch £29.99 bargain either for boating or house work!

[Circlip]

Get a strip of paper with a straight edge and wrap it round the tube so the edge overlaps the lower layer and secure with sellotape so you have a sleeve. Start the cut with a fine bladed saw but DON'T cut through the tube wall, just cut a groove and by rolling and cutting to the edge of the paper carry on right round the tube. By the time the blade starts to break through the wall thickness, the groove should be guiding the saw blade but instead of plunging through, carry on rotating and cutting.

   This works on ALL different sections of material round square tube or solids, If you try and chop saw with a saw blade you will skew orft.

  Regards  Ian

  Save the thirty quid for something useful.

[BigA]

Or use a K&S tube cutter - or any basic pipe cutter - for straight sections.

[Andy_k]

Or use a K&S tube cutter - or any basic pipe cutter - for straight sections.

Thanks BigA but I should have mentioned it was a 110mm diameter

Get a strip of paper with a straight edge and wrap it round the tube so the edge overlaps the lower layer and secure with sellotape so you have a sleeve. Start the cut with a fine bladed saw but DON'T cut through the tube wall, just cut a groove and by rolling and cutting to the edge of the paper carry on right round the tube. By the time the blade starts to break through the wall thickness, the groove should be guiding the saw blade but instead of plunging through, carry on rotating and cutting.

   This works on ALL different sections of material round square tube or solids, If you try and chop saw with a saw blade you will skew orft.

  Regards  Ian

  Save the thirty quid for something useful.

I like this so simple always the best way thanks Ian

[RaaArtyGunner]

Andy,

BigA's solution still works just use larger size cutter to suit size being cut.

At the end of the day Circlip's simple solution takes the money ie, save the thirty quid for something useful 

[triumphjon]

do you have any engineering shops near you ? ask if they would mind cutting your tube in a powered hacksaw ( nodding donkey ) !

[Circlip]

Other than attacking it with a fine hacksaw OR having a lathe with a big enough through bore (??????  WTC's seem to start at about 3" or 75mm Dia.) Acrylic is a b***h to cut without cracking, so the roller type cutters won't work. Power saws? will cost too much in fractured tube for same reason. If you can access Water Jet cutting OR Laser, super.

  Save thi brass lad.

  Regards  Ian.

[triumphjon]

same engineer , & ask if they would mind cutting tube on lathe with parting tool , having the tubing in the chuck of a lathe would mean its capable of cutting by hand rotation of lathe while holding a suitable saw to the work piece !

[Andy_k]

Thank you for all the suggestions but have now tried the paper option and I am happy with the results 
thank you all again

[Ian Robins]

hi
I work for a plastic machining company. We will buy acrylic tube in, cut to length. The problem is that acrylic comes as extruded and cast. the cast is better to machine (parts off, threads etc), but the extruded is rather brittle so you have to be very carefull when maching.
Cast acrylic is about 60% dearer. pvc is cheaper but the wall thicknesses are thinner.
I have just started a wtc myself, so some photos would be handy.

ro88o0
ps we have offcuts of acrylic sheet etc, all go for scrap. email if you need some

[Circlip]

Just re-surfaced this one (OK, Bad pun). After cutting make sure there are no cracks on the end of the tube. Smoothing the end with wet and dry used wet, and then paint edge with Acrylic glue or solvent.

 Cracks can be "Halted" by drilling a small hole for it to run into.

  Regards   Ian.

[g4yvm]

Where are you getting the tubes from?

D

[andyn]

Clear plastic supplies on ebay are the best I've found.

[g4yvm]

Thanks

I looked there but the 120 quidprice nearly made me faint!


ps found it now. Phew.

D

[Subculture]

It's the cast acrylic tubing that is very expensive. The extruded tubing is much cheaper (and quite adequate). I've found the stock supplied by that company to be excellent, and their service is good too. UPS managed to crack a piece of 120mm tubing in transit. I got on the blower, and told them, and they were fine about it, apologised for any inconvenience, and sent me a new piece. He told me to keep the cracked bit, but it was only the last 6 inches or so, so I've got enough to make another cylinder with!

[g4yvm]

Thanks guys

D

[redboat219]

Here in the Philippines acrylic tubings are hard to come by but not acrylic sheets. Some food vendors  use rolled up sheets as juice containers.
http://www.fotothing.com/photos/b0a/b0a8783fc748aa6e6fdb59fc1130492c.jpg

The sides  are  covered by a strip of acrylic to seal the edges. As you can see these container are  filled to the brim. The glued strip holds well against liquid pressure.
I was thinking of having a wtc fabricated this way.