Thread: Who makes the best tubing notcher?

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I know Habor Freight sells one ,but I am looking for a better quality tool.Maybe you guys have one you can recomend?

I don't use a notcher, I use an appropriate size end mill or a hole saw in my drill press and a home made fixture to position the tubing... Simple and cheap.

We've bought a lot of stuff from Pro-tools, and their tubing notcher is as good as the rest of the stuff they sell. You can see them on www.pro-tools.com

Here's the one we have, it's right around $ 300 and has a degree wheel built in.


Don

I've got the same 1 Don's running & have been using it in large & small tube notching with 0 problems - even with CM tube & solid materials.

I also run a 6" end mill (From Mitler Bros,) for deeper angles on my 1 5/8 car tubing. Although Mitler probably has the best unit.........U can purchase a used mill for what they get for their tubing notcher!!! It is first class though.

regs

Heres another ,looks to be about same quality for 197 dollars.



http://www.tubing-benders.com/tubing-notcher.html



Anyone use this one

http://www.irvansmith.com/catalog2/p..._notcher.shtml

This one attaches to your lathe

http://www.torchmate.com/tubenoch.html

i use my bridgeport and a end mill, i also have one from mitler bros and it works real good . i use mitler bros for any metal tool

Iv'e been using the Speedway notcher ($99.95) for a few years and it works great,just buy quality hole saws and use lubricant, we have notched lots of 4130 and it holds up just fine....

http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25020
This is the thread I started about notching tubing. I use a cheapo H/F unit I got off eBay for less then 30 bucks shipped. I have no issues with it.
Check out the thread and you will see I get beautiful notches with it and I can do them extremely fast once the jig is set up...
Mark

Originally Posted by astroracer

http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25020
This is the thread I started about notching tubing. I use a cheapo H/F unit I got off eBay for less then 30 bucks shipped. I have no issues with it.
Check out the thread and you will see I get beautiful notches with it and I can do them extremely fast once the jig is set up...
Mark

Ya I seen and read that thread about 5 times.What your are doing looks good and clean. I have some spare change ,and would like to spend a little more so I can get a quality tool that will last longer than a year.

Originally Posted by BigTruckDriver

Ya I seen and read that thread about 5 times.What your are doing looks good and clean. I have some spare change ,and would like to spend a little more so I can get a quality tool that will last longer than a year.

You are right about the quality of tools. I don't necessarily have the money to buy industrial grade tools, but I have also learned not to buy crap either. Not saying the stuff from HF is crap........I actually own a lot of their stuff and it is fine for me and performs well. ( By the way, when their gold drill bit sets go on sale, buy one. They outlast any other drill bit I have bought and they are cheap too)

The reason I mention Pro-tools is that we have bought their tubing notcher,sheet metal brake, tubing bender, and bead roller. Everything has been top notch and the service is good as far as support and info on how to use them and what to buy.

I am not a professional mechanic who needs Snap On quality for the most part, but middle of the road tools like these help you to turn out a better job, and keep the frustration level down because they rarely break in the middle of a job (like at 12 midnight when everything is closed and you are trying to get some job done)


Don

Originally Posted by BigTruckDriver

Ya I seen and read that thread about 5 times.What your are doing looks good and clean. I have some spare change ,and would like to spend a little more so I can get a quality tool that will last longer than a year.

Sorry... I just thought you could save a little money if you saw what can be done with cheap notcher. I've had this one for two years and have done around a hundred notches with it and it still works fine.
Spend the money I guess but two hundred bucks for a notcher? Not for me my friend...
Mark

Mark: I've been following your build, and you do really nice, professional looking work, and I've commented to that effect in your gallery. I think in this case he just has a few extra bucks and wants to treat himself to something. I do the same thing on payday when I have no other bills due......I walk through HF or Sears trying to find something to buy that I can't live without.

Don

PS: Your shop is also cleaner than my living room.

Originally Posted by astroracer

Sorry... I just thought you could save a little money if you saw what can be done with cheap notcher. I've had this one for two years and have done around a hundred notches with it and it still works fine.
Spend the money I guess but two hundred bucks for a notcher? Not for me my friend...
Mark

So your saying a 30 dollar notcher will work as good and last as long as a 200 dollar tubing notcher?Don't get me wrong though,your joints look good.If that 30 dollar notcher is made in the USA ,with superior parts,I will take a look at it ,but I think Harbor Freight stuff is cheaply made.I need a rigid tool,good old american ,quality stuff.

Check out Speedway Motors, they sell a really nice one, decent price too.

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Check out Speedway Motors, they sell a really nice one, decent price too.

Nice, I like it ,but could'nt tell if it had needle bearings,a hardened shaft ,and a 1/2" backing plate.