Cliff
Micro-Mark makes a duplicating jig to cut brass to equal lengths.
It is limited to 3", but it would not be too hard to make a similar jig that is capable of longer lengths.
You could probably 3D print part of the new jig.
Tom
Thanks John, yes, I used to do that, but kept coming up short because you have to tilt the jaws to get one over the end… But the digital reading’s very helpful…
Hmm, I have an older $6 digital caliper that I don’t use; I should try grinding off the right (in your pic) point by ~.25" and sharpen the result. That would solve that. Thanks for bring it up!
Tom Stephens said:
Cliff
Micro-Mark makes a duplicating jig to cut brass to equal lengths.
It is limited to 3", but it would not be too hard to make a similar jig that is capable of longer lengths.
You could probably 3D print part of the new jig.
Tom
That’s really cool! And simple. Might be able to use it with a band saw…
Here’s a decent start https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3466936 but I’d glue a steel ruler to one of the inside faces of the angle iron and make a clamp-able stop.
Replaced the power supply, and the laser’s cutting. Some. Now it looks like I’ve been negligent on replacing the mirrors, so I need to do that this Saturday hopefully.
While I’m at it, I’m trying to get my cheapo kit 3D printer working. I was hoping to get an upgraded extruder, but mine’s so ancient (3 years) that no upgrades exist for it. So my plan now is to replace its nozzle & heater to get it working, craigslist it, and get a newer & more reliable one.
Thanks everyone for all the tube cutting ideas. Hollywood, I got word back from K&S that their minimum order is somewhere between 50 and 500 pieces, depending on the material. They didn’t mention price. I don’t have anything I need 50+ of, but I’ll get them to quote when I do.
oops, dupe post
Dan Gilchrist said:
Here’s a decent start https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3466936 but I’d glue a steel ruler to one of the inside faces of the angle iron and make a clamp-able stop.
I like the angle as a holding and cutting guide, nice and simple.
Clamp/weld a nut in the other end and use a length of All Thread to make an adjustable stop.
Is it done yet? Figured it would be pumping water by now.
(Patiently waiting on my full set of plans)
Chris Kieffer said:
Is it done yet? Figured it would be pumping water by now.
(Patiently waiting on my full set of plans)
Aren’t you used to my 2-year projects by now Chris? (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)
Plans… not on this one, I’m afraid. Just simple dimensioned ortho views of parts, pulled form Solidworks. No real organization to it, just enough to cut 'em all. No assembly dwgs, When I need to remember what goes where, I have the model up on my laptop, which is there on the workbench, inhaling sawdust and brassdust.
John Caughey said:
Clamp/weld a nut in the other end and use a length of All Thread to make an adjustable stop.
Another good idea. Could also have two or three angle sizes / lengths, to suit the part size. Just run it against the band saw blade for multiple parts.
Anybody use these mini chop saws?
Cliff Jennings said:
John Caughey said:
Clamp/weld a nut in the other end and use a length of All Thread to make an adjustable stop.
Another good idea. Could also have two or three angle sizes / lengths, to suit the part size. Just run it against the band saw blade for multiple parts.
Anybody use these mini chop saws?
Been using one for years, the HF version. I did away with the clamping device and buit the saw into a small table with a fence so it acts more like the larger versions of a chop saw.
Rick Marty said:
Cliff Jennings said:
John Caughey said:
Clamp/weld a nut in the other end and use a length of All Thread to make an adjustable stop.
Another good idea. Could also have two or three angle sizes / lengths, to suit the part size. Just run it against the band saw blade for multiple parts.
Anybody use these mini chop saws?
Been using one for years, the HF version. I did away with the clamping device and buit the saw into a small table with a fence so it acts more like the larger versions of a chop saw.
I did the same with mine Rick and I agree they work great(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
Cliff Jennings said:
John Caughey said:
Clamp/weld a nut in the other end and use a length of All Thread to make an adjustable stop.
Another good idea. Could also have two or three angle sizes / lengths, to suit the part size. Just run it against the band saw blade for multiple parts.
Anybody use these mini chop saws?
I have one, and upgrading it like others have said would probably be a good idea. Cutting precise angles with it is difficult. Used one to build a bridge a while back.
https://largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/28332/saw-mill-run-bridge-v3-0?page=1
That would sure take a lot less room in my model shop, and is a lot cheaper!
I remember seeing a chop saw that was all wobbly in the main joint, so I guess one has to beware of quality issues. I’m glad to hear though that the HF one works well!
Cliff Jennings said:
Chris Kieffer said:
Is it done yet?
Aren’t you used to my 2-year projects by now Chris? (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)
Rookie! A good projects take ten plus years to complete. I’ve got plans for a 6’ x 7’ feed mill if your interested, Chris? 
That is quite ingenious, Hollywood. Super simple, nice and small, inexpensive, chops fast… excellent!
Haven’t said much bout it, but I’ve been working for a couple months on an article about the Turbine Windmill and it’s last remaining instance – in New South Wales, Australia. Burnt down in '87 though. The magazine editor (in Australia) keeps giving me new materials she’s finding on the subject though, so whenever I think the article’s done, she swings in with another wonderful pile of new info to consider…
All great fun though. I had no idea this strange Nevada windmill would drive me where it has.
On the model front, I got the mirrors this evening, and will install them on the laser tomorrow. Big hopes for big improvements!
Some laser news. After the tube replacement (which probably didn’t need to happen, as it turns out) came the power supply replacement, which was needed. Still not really cutting. But today I found the culprit: it was the mirrors for sure. Here’s a comparison.
After taking over an hour doing a full alignment (I’ve never done that before either), I ran some test pieces. And it’s cutting better than it ever has! So I’m finally diving back into the turbine model again.