10 replies to this topic

[Whatitis]

Does anyone have any special techniques they use to ensure a straight cut? I use a hacksaw and my recent cuts have all been slanted, therefore i had to sand the barrel down to make it straight.

[FIDO]

Get a miter box. If you don't know what that is, ask a person at home depot or at any other hardware store, they will show you what it looks like.

[IronRhino]

Practice.

[Spectre2689]

Or a simple pipe cutter. They're really not all that expensive, and you could probably find one sitting in your tool room somewhere.


Would be a heavy duty and more expensive pipe cutter.

This, however:

Would be ideal for cutting PVC.

They're really simple to use, just clamp it so the blade is where you want to cut, and spin it while applying pressure.

[EDIT] The only thing that should be noted and I forgot to add is that by using a pipe cutter you'd probably need to ream the inside of the barrel with something to open it up, as the pipe cutter usually closes it a bit. Some cutters come with a small gadget (for lack of a better word) that comes out so you can clean out the inside of the barrel, but a simple utility knife would suffice.

Edited by Spectre2689, 03 November 2004 - 10:00 PM.

[Jangadance]

This, however:

Would be ideal for cutting PVC.

They're really simple to use, just clamp it so the blade is where you want to cut, and spin it while applying pressure.

I wish it were that good.

I bought one, it IS perfect for cutting PVC quickly and easily, but it's meant for squeezing like a pair of giant scissors rather than spinning like a conventional pipe cutter. Because of the way its jaws work, the cutter is prone to slicing diagonally if you don't hold it perfectly still. With practice, I still can't even perfect it. I would advise against this type of pipe cutter for making barrels, although it IS great for cutting links for homemades etc.

[Ender]

I use the turn style pipe cutter and I’ll never had any problems with it.

[Half Newb Half Nerfer]

I just get a peice of electrical tape and wrap it around the pipe then cut it with a hacksaw.
~Halfling

[moosenukem]

I have a table saw (at least my Dad does) and so thats was I use. I alos have a sander that I use when I get my barrels slanted.

[ompa]

A miter box, as stated before, is probably your best bet. They are really cheap (at least the plastic ones), and you can use them with your hacksaw.

~ompa

[NinjZ]

My friend has one of those turning ones wich I use when he's around. I take an exacto knife and trim the ends a bit and cutt the inner lip down some so stefans will slide in easier.

When my friend is not around I free hand with a hacksaw. I ususalyl get them close to strait but sometimes I have to sand or trim the ends with one of my many hobby knife blades.

[Arcanis]

I've had great cuts with a Japanese pull-action hacksaw.

Edited by Arcanis, 05 November 2004 - 08:03 PM.