Cutting Drain Pipe For saber?

[jedikibbles]

Ello,

I was wondering what the best way (read: inexpensive) to cut drain pipe for a saber. This isn't a very big issue for me, because I'm making my first sabers out of PVC circa www.dougie-doright.com/tutorial.html. I just want to make something as cool as some of the sabers I have seen.
Hopefully I'll be getting my EL materials in the next week.

Kibbles

[petary791]

I just want to tell you your link doesn't work.

Anyways, I use some orange Black and Decker saw with detatchable blades, either wood, metal, and some other thing.

I suppose it gets the job done. I really want a dremel though. Most workers praise them.

[Mon-Jas Charan]

Here is the corrected link.


PVC Lightsaber

[tanzanlinnear]

Well, I suppose that depends what your budget is... If you can afford one, I'd recommend a generic brand rotary tool (as you'll pay more for the Dremel name) as they're extremely useful and versatile. If that's a bit too pricey, then just get a small Junior Hacksaw and cut through by hand I doubt that would cost more than a few dollars.

[jedikibbles]

Hmmm...
I have a hacksaw, which I use frequently. How much do the metal blades cost?
Also, when you are cutting, how do you make sure your lines are straight? I've seen templates, but how else can you do it? I was thinking of making a cutaway-grip making mount out of particle board.

[tanzanlinnear]

I'm not too sure how much they would cost individually, but certainly not very expensive The one I purchassed had 2 spare blades with it and only cost .52p, so not at all expensive. It depends on how you're cutting, really... I find the easiest thing to do is draw a template, wrap it around the pipe, and then use a single layer of masking tape all over the template so when you cut, the line won't move. I think if you were going to make a mount that would get cut away as you work, it would wind up an expensive project, and the mount might obscure your view of the cutting line, I'd definitely recommend using a taped template for ease Have you got your design worked out yet? You'll have to post some pics of it once it's completed

[jaiven]

I think the best thing to cut a sink drain pipe would be to get yourself a Tube and Pipe cutter. They can be found in any Tool section of a store. You don't have to clamp the tube down, and you get the straightest cut you can get with anything else. You have to get one that can cut up to atleast an 1 and half inch pipe. Then just mark the pipe where you want to cut it, place the cutter on your mark, turn the knob of the cutter until both sides of the cutting wheels touch the pipe snug. Start to turn the cutter around the pipe while slowly turning the knob to tighten it as you cut. After a moment you will have cut the pipe where you want it, and have a relatively clean cut that requires very little smoothing, and a straight cut.

[Leda EmBorr]

Jaiven, do you think a pipe cutter would cut through a machined aluminum tube? I'm in the process of modifying a saber I have and I need to shorten a piece of it.

[Solinbeb Newau]

I think that would just depend on how thick the tube is...as my pipe cutter only has a little over a 1/4 inch depth it can cut through.

[jedikibbles]

No design made for myself yet, just been throwing ideas around in my head, and I want to finish my PVC sabers first (almost, I'll start another thread when they're done w/ pics).
About the templates, I don't understand how you mount them. Since the stuff under the templates is going to be scrap, couldn't you glue it?

[Mon-Jas Charan]

A pipe cutter for 1 1/2 inch pipe I find runs about $20.00 to $30.00. But Home Depot will rent you one for about $5.00 for the day. Just another option.

[petary791]

I'm planning on getting a Dremel. Could someone advise me on what to get for drilling, cutting, and sanding?

Thanks.

[ceejay928]

I use my dremel for cutting, sanding, buffing. If you plan on making some holes, etc.
I would use a drill. If you plan on using a dremel for drilling, get a hole puncher (to create
a small nail size hole to allow the drill to flow through; if not your dremel will go all over the place)

There are several blades for cutting, I haven't found the absolute best one out there.
Most of them wear down after several usage. Key part is to keep it leveled/straight.
I use the 1.5" cut-off wheel made out of fiberglass.
Sanding tubes: either medium or coarse
Those are the top two things I use for creating a lightsaber

CJ

[tanzanlinnear]

jedikibbles said:

No design made for myself yet, just been throwing ideas around in my head, and I want to finish my PVC sabers first (almost, I'll start another thread when they're done w/ pics).
About the templates, I don't understand how you mount them. Since the stuff under the templates is going to be scrud, couldn't you glue it?

Can't wait to see some of the finished sabers You could glue the template down, but that could leak to the parts of the pipe you'd want to keep. I find the best thing to do is to roll the template around the tube, and use artists masking tape to first hold it in place. Then put a single layer of masking tape over the entire template, because that will give the paper strength and it won't move about while cutting, but you will still be able to see the lines to know where to make your cut

[jaiven]

Yes, using a pipe cutter does depend on the thickness of the tube. Most pipe cutters have about a 1/4 inch cutting wheel. Most drain pipes are no more than a 1/6th inch thick. But it should still cut through a machined aluminum tube if it is hollow and a 1/4 inch thick or less.