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What tube notcher do you use?

Sluggy

Sluggy

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As the title states... What is everyone using? Do you like it or is there certain things you don't like about it? I'm mostly asking about the 400 dollar range notcher. Currently looking at the pro tools notcher but interested in what everyone else uses before I buy a new one.
 
I have a Woodward Fab knockoff of the JD2 Notch Master. I picked it up as an open box unit and it was much cheaper than the JD2 by over $100 at the time. One thing that I noticed it can't do is offset notch like the JD2. It did take me years to notice it couldn't do this, so it's not something I need everyday.

Hole Saw Pipe and Tube Notchers WFN6 - Woodward Fab

Buy WFN6 hole saw pipe and tube notcher at Woodward Fab official website. Comes with solid steel construction. Works 3/4" to 3" tubing (o.d.). Use with Any 1/2″ Hand Drill. Visit the website to know more product details.
www.woodwardfab.com www.woodwardfab.com

but the original is cheaper unless they haven't updated the web site: JD2. Tube and Pipe Notchers
 
I use the Rouge fab

VersaNotcher - Universal Tubing Notcher & Pipe Notcher | Rogue Fabrication

It's a little different than most of the other notchers. I think angle changes are faster. Offsets are kinda a pain, but they are no matter what. I also like that they use their own arbors and will sell you a bunch for cheap so you can just leave them in their various sizes.

Another trick, not exclusive to the Rouge fab unit, I've heard on here was using an 1/8-1/4" bigger hole saw than the tube. Less flashing and cuts through faster. Also leaves a nice small gap on the sides for weld.
 
no clue what this is. Build a crap load of cages though.

I'd like the find an abrasive grinder for notching but seems like they are not as flexible use wise..
qdJBajNd-FpqYLTw_qKusY4aV=w1601-h901-no?authuser=0.jpg
 
I have on of these for square cut notches.

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I built this one for miter cut tubing.
20211108_131345.jpg
 
JD squared from the 90's. They dont even sell em anymore. Sorta looks like Weasels.


Honestly i dont think it matters what you use, i consider a notcher a rougher that will get a fine tune afterwards.
 
Looks like another knock off of the American made Notch Master....

Same as Woodward Fab.
It just doesn't feel right to me.
American iron in the shop seems to last forever.
 
I have a Baileigh TN-250 and got it 8 years ago and never had a problem. Works awesome.

www.baileigh.com

Tube Notcher | TN-250

Tube Notcher
www.baileigh.com www.baileigh.com

BUT i recently got an ameribrade 2x72 belt sander with their small wheels and it can do everything the hole saw notcher can do a little faster AND more. No need to holesaw notch then grind clean with sander, the belt sander is a 1 stop shop.

BUT for the price of the hole saw notcher I wouldn't replace it for sure. Much cheaper than the belt sander BUT i use it for much more stuff and use it everyday where the notcher doesn't get used but once in a while when that time of the project is needed.

ameribrade 20190829_071133.jpg
 
X2 on the rogue where a notcher is appropriate. Mines built many cages, bumpers, etc without issue. I have it mounted on a stand that’s bolted through the floor instead of the usual home show vise mount. It handles an impressive amount of weight hanging off one side. The notches to do box tube have come in handy too.
 
Saw those a couple years ago at KOH. My boss bought one with everything. He likes it also.

TTMotorsports said:
I have a Baileigh TN-250 and got it 8 years ago and never had a problem. Works awesome.

www.baileigh.com

Tube Notcher | TN-250

Tube Notcher
www.baileigh.com www.baileigh.com

BUT i recently got an ameribrade 2x72 belt sander with their small wheels and it can do everything the hole saw notcher can do a little faster AND more. No need to holesaw notch then grind clean with sander, the belt sander is a 1 stop shop.

BUT for the price of the hole saw notcher I wouldn't replace it for sure. Much cheaper than the belt sander BUT i use it for much more stuff and use it everyday where the notcher doesn't get used but once in a while when that time of the project is needed.

ameribrade 20190829_071133.jpg
Click to expand...
 
I use the cheap one from northern tool. needs a few mods but i've notched a lot of 1.250 sch40 pipe with it over the past few years
 
yeah I made a new shaft support with some needle bearings and tubing but honestly with all that work it would be better off time/money ahead with buying a better one so I did with the baileigh unit.
 
pro-tools.com

Pro+ Pipe and Tube Notcher

Specs Round Tube Minimum Outside Diameter (OD): 1/2" (12.7 mm) Maximum Outside Diamter (OD): 2" (50.8 mm) Pipe Minimum Size: NPS 1/4 (DN 8) Maximum Size: NPS 1-1/2 (DN 35) Other Specifications Notch Angle: 0degrees-60degrees Offset Notching: Up to 1/2 the OD of your tube or pipe...
pro-tools.com pro-tools.com

Been running this for years, still holding up
 
Rouge fab and love it have hade a few and like the ability to back cur on steep angles
 
TTMotorsports said:
yeah I made a new shaft support with some needle bearings and tubing but honestly with all that work it would be better off time/money ahead with buying a better one so I did with the baileigh unit.
Click to expand...

The harbor freight one is almost better than nothing. Mine barely lasted through 2 cages before the bushing kept walking out, and it was definitely sloppy.

I was only using it for simple ~90-60* notches, anything else, I use my band saw.
 
Built my exo with one and for $50 it was worth it.

The bushings are toast though.

+\- 1/8” cages are good for most of us.

Jimbo be wanting a nice one.


TTMotorsports said:
I had a harbor freight notcher for years and it worked BUT the bushings would get sloppy and hole saws wouldn't last very long because of that.
Click to expand...
 
Yeah I learned how to chop saw and grinder notch for years before I even had the harbor freight notcher. Learn that and you won't need a notcher to do most jobs.
 
TTMotorsports said:
Yeah I learned how to chop saw and grinder notch for years before I even had the harbor freight notcher. Learn that and you won't need a notcher to do most jobs.
Click to expand...

I've done a lot of tube work with no notcher and 99% of it was with a vertical bandsaw.

That being said, it's nice to be able to measure your angle, set the single in the notcher, hit it with a flap disc and you're done.
 
I have a baileigh TN-250 and like it. I have used the JD2 and pro tools notchers. The baileigh is much nicer but the others work fine. I like the way the Baileigh clamps the tube and also the ability to do a steeper angle.
 
pro tools
used it forever

have it mounted to the floor on a stand, corded drill stays on it
 
JD2 notch master here....Plan to buy the GOAT and the reach around at some point.
 
SomeGuyFromOlympia said:
pro-tools.com

Pro+ Pipe and Tube Notcher

Specs Round Tube Minimum Outside Diameter (OD): 1/2" (12.7 mm) Maximum Outside Diamter (OD): 2" (50.8 mm) Pipe Minimum Size: NPS 1/4 (DN 8) Maximum Size: NPS 1-1/2 (DN 35) Other Specifications Notch Angle: 0degrees-60degrees Offset Notching: Up to 1/2 the OD of your tube or pipe...
pro-tools.com pro-tools.com

Been running this for years, still holding up
Click to expand...

That's the same one I have, and mine is at least 18yrs old. I've built dozens of cages with that notcher and other than swapping to a SWAG shaft after I stripped the original, its been flawless.
 
SLOWPOKE693 said:
That's the same one I have, and mine is at least 18yrs old. I've built dozens of cages with that notcher and other than swapping to a SWAG shaft after I stripped the original, its been flawless.
Click to expand...
been happy with mine too, all the anodizing is worn off

I did throw it in the mill and extend the arc though now that I think about it

still haven't striped the shaft, but I am pretty easy on it, the drill I use likes to kick my ass :laughing:
 
I've got the TN250 from Baileigh tools as well. Picked it up when they very first came out and have built a number of cages with it. The degree wheel isn't the greatest on it but the vise works great, especially for notching in a bend. I have some large diameter roughing end mills on hand that I've daydreamed about using for notching. May have to do it once the Cinci Mill gets wired up.
 
I used a regular pro tools one 15 years ago and it was nothing special. Friend has a JD2 from the same era. I like that it has a nylon set screw to hold the shaft in place while you line up your tube. At work I have a Woodward fab WFN6 notcher. It does 3” capacity so it will do 2” pipe. Main reason I had them buy that one.
 
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