Jig for cutting plastics.

QUOTE (double00 @ 26 Aug 2007, 12:26) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I am looking for a source to supply a jig suitable for cutting lengths of small bore plastic tubing and solid plastic rods. The jig would require to be adjustable, to accommodate various gauge sizes, and able an accurate cut.
Help will be appreciated.

I found in a local hobby shop here a tool which could be described as a mini version of a copper pipe cutter.
It takes rod or tube 3mm-16mm or 1/8th to 5/8th outside diameter.
I have tried it on styrene,copper and aluminium tube and all one has to do is revolve the cutter arround the material a couple of times and then snap the pieces apart at the scoring point.

I always had trouble cutting fine rod squarely and have found this to be the best way.

Hope this might help,

Regards,
Bryan.

The mini pipe cutter certainly appears to be an alternative to the MITRE box.
Does the cutter cut plastic hollow tubing in 3/16" and 5/16" as sold in short lengths from model shops. Is the edge of the cut tubing a clean cut?
Finally! where can this cutter be obtained from?
Thanks for the replies to my topic.

QUOTE (double00 @ 28 Aug 2007, 17:47) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>The mini pipe cutter certainly appears to be an alternative to the MITRE box.
Does the cutter cut plastic hollow tubing in 3/16" and 5/16" as sold in short lengths from model shops. Is the edge of the cut tubing a clean cut?
Finally! where can this cutter be obtained from?
Thanks for the replies to my topic.

The pipe cutter I have starts at 1/8th as I said and it would easily accomodate those sizes you quoted.

I suspect you have worked with styrene sheet and sections.You score the sheet/sections with a scriber/razor blade and you just snap the pieces apart.
Once you score something like that [ie glass] it parts at the point scored as the surface has been weakened.
The pipe cutter works the same way by scoring the plastic/metal's surface with it's cutting wheel thus weakening the outside surface.
There is no need to cut right through the material,just score it.

When stripping the insulation off copper wire it is important not to nick the copper wire surface as it will fracture and break after a few twists at the point nicked.
It is the same principle.

When you cut copper tube etc and as the copper is soft the cutter wheel leaves a slight ridge which can be emory clothed off.
The Styrene tubing/rod snaps apart cleanly and is square and doesn't need sanding.

I presume the full size pipe cutters are in general use by plumbers in the UK for copper pipe plumbing??

As I said I obtained my mini one from a local hobby shop here in Victoria,Canada and I was in our Canadian Tyre store and lo and behold they had the mini pipe/rod cutter there amongst the tools in the tool department for about $3.95.

As I am no longer in the UK I could not advise where you could get the mini pipe cutters there.

Hope this helps.

Cheers
Bryan.