The best low cost cutter for tubing for the occasional user would be the
pressure wheel type. They are very safe to use and pretty inexpensive. Cutting
the tubing in small increments per revolution of cutter will minimize ridging
on inside and a lot of the cutters have a reamer attached. You would probably
need two of them to cut from1/4 inch to 2 inch tubing, one for 2 inch down to
1/2 inch and a second to cut 1/2 inch on down, but still have less than $20
invested.
Now if you are going to have access to a chop saw and are going to be doing a
lot of cutting or want to make the investment for future projects, the now make
a carbide tipped saw blade that will cut all aluminum and even the softer
grades of steel such as used in angle iron and channel iron with thicknesses of
up to 1/4 inch. These blades are amazing, with the ability of making many cuts
with no signs of wear.The only drawback is they throw a lot of dangerous
steel/aluminum particles everywhere and the appropriate safety gear is
mandatory. They make a very clean cut, with little cleanup required on the cut
edges. On a good chop-saw this blade is a universal solution to almost all your
metal cutting needs.
I have both available here and use the cutter for a lot of tubing just because
it needs no safety equipment and is not as messy.The saw is great for mass
production and multiple cuts the same length with a stop system so I have to
measure only once. (that way I can have them all the wrong length and not just
the occasional miss-measurement :-) )
Good luck of your choice and expedition,
Nick
WB7PEK
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