notchng tube with an end mill

[emaxxcrawler]

hello all, I want to build my first tube chassis. I'll be using 3/16" steel brake line. My question is what size end mill would be best to notch the tubes?


Thanks
Jason

[rlockwood]

Originally Posted by emaxxcrawler

hello all, I want to build my first tube chassis. I'll be using 3/16" steel brake line. My question is what size end mill would be best to notch the tubes?


Thanks
Jason

A 3/16" endmill would offer an absolutely perfect fit at an intersection with another 3/16" diameter steel brake line, but a larger one would likely yield better results, and the difference in fit would be negligable.

[Duuuuuuuude]

The answer is in the question! Love it!

Are you an experience machinist by chance?

[C*H*U*D]

I think a chainsaw file would be better. Unless you are able to properly fixture the tube, you run the risk of it popping out of the vise, bending the tube, breaking the endmill or all of the above.

[rlockwood]

Originally Posted by C*H*U*D

I think a chainsaw file would be better. Unless you are able to properly fixture the tube, you run the risk of it popping out of the vise, bending the tube, breaking the endmill or all of the above.

I agree. Unless you already have a tube notching setup, there really is no need. A file will yield the same results and do it nearly as fast for less cost all around. Not to mention you will get to keep all of your fingers.

[emaxxcrawler]

I'm not a machinist at all lol. I thought that a mill would make notching tube easier. The more I think about it the more complicated the setup would be. thanks for answering my dumb question.



thanks
Jason

[dirtracer20]

a end mill will more than likely crush the line,you can pick up a flap disc and use a grinder to notch it.

[C*H*U*D]

I've used a mill to notch solid 1/4" aluminum, but it was for a bolt-together project. That build required very precise fitting joints though:



If you are going to be silver soldering yours together, your joints don't have to be as precise, so I say go with the chainsaw file.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by C*H*U*D

If you are going to be silver soldering yours together, your joints don't have to be as precise, so I say go with the chainsaw file.

built some tough frames myself just using the chainsaw files and all them were hollow brake line.

[bob1961]

i use the corner of my wheel that is rounded a bit on my bench grinder to give me the start of a notch....then follow it up with a 3/16" chainsaw file, it even works great for 1/4" tube as well....bout 2 seconds on the grinder and a few strokes of the file and done with each notch in oh say bout 5 seconds, plus what tiny gaps that might be is what holds silver solder in the joint to hold the parts together when brazed .......bob

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[emaxxcrawler]

thanks guys. chain saw files are a lot cheaper than an end mill.