how do you guys cut metal tubing/rod, without crushing the ends together.

i need some very fine hollow tubing, 1mm thick, to detail my academy warrior.
if i cut it with pliers etc wont it just squeeze the cut ends flat rather than cutting clean through?

cheers

joe

Try rolling it w/ a xacto blade you need to be careful but it's the easiest way.

Dremel/proxxon/maxicraft... with cutting disc, cleanest, fastest methode.

Kris

Try cutting it using the Xacto razor saw.

I will try to find some plastic or wood rod that will fit inside the tube and cut with a razor saw or a small tube cutter

I like the Dremel idea. Wish I would have thought of that before I went and bought this from MicroMark. However, it has come in handy.

MicroMark tube cutter

Cheers,
Mike

you can get the same thing @ the hardware store for 1/2 of that!!!!!

must hardware stores sell a tube cutter i own a small one
a tube cutter will be your best bet

must hardware stores sell a tube cutter i own a small one
a tube cutter will be your best bet

must hardware stores sell a tube cutter i own a small one
a tube cutter will be your best bet

Hi Joe

Thin copper / aluminium tubes are usually called (in refrigeration) capillaries. The easiest way to cut them is via a capillary cutter also sold as wire strippers. I use Vitrex No. 1530 (Old version):




This is the new version sold by Hunter Tools:
http://www.huntertools.co.uk/catalogue/t-601530_391347.htm

PS: Also works on thin cable, picture wire etc…
Hope this helps.

Hi
I go with animal



If the finished piece needs a lug as a connector, a piece of the the smaller rod, brass or plastic rod can be superglued in to the larger tube.

or the Dremmel and cutting disc.
Cheers
Peter

:-)

Micro-Mark has a miniature power miter cutter . I have had it for 11 years and I can't live without it. It's a bit expensive (about $120), but if your are planning to do a lot of cutting in metal or plastic, it's worth every penny. I can even cut 0.02" brass tubings without damaging the ends.

Best
T. Chouman

I'd like to ditto Animal... If you can slide a slightly small rod into the tube you can cut it with nearly anything... The insert will absorb much of the compression and give you very nice end result...

That looks pretty good. Does it cut angles cleanly and accurately?

Absolutely . Just make sure you use the cut-off wheel for metal cutting and the saw blade for plastic and wood.

Best regards and happy modeling.

Hey Great Brit, a message from the colony!!

I recently converted a 1/35 Cheiftan into a knocked out Iraqi one (the reference i used in one of the Military In Scale magazines from last year) and i needed a new barrel, because the kit one was covered in a blanket or thermal wraping of some sort, molded on. so i got some aluminium metal tubing of i think it was 7mm, and i sawed it with my Dremel motor tool, a mm more than i needed, and filed the rest down. The tube got really hot, so dont have it attached to any plastic when you cut it!!
This was a cheap and easy alternative, and my first attempt at scratchbuilding! so, in conclusion, the motor tool works very well, and provides a clean cut with no warping of the tube. Have fun, and happy easter to all y'all