Subject: Re: Polyethylene Calamari

From: [email-masked] (Edward Haas)
Date: 25 Jun 1996 09:53:48 -0700

Andy Dingley ([email-masked]) wrote:
: I have some photos of the Caerphilly castle replica siege engines -
: must put them on the Web some time (Keep an eye on
: http://www.codesmiths.com/siege.htm )
	--This i gotta see! My "mini" will foing half of a large 
milk-bone about 20 to 25 paces, enough to make the dog work for it ;-)
: >pieces of polyethylene tubing, 
: Where do these fit into the Trebuchet scheme of things ?
	--Low-tech shaft collars: you slide them onto PVC pipe, using a 
little vaseline to lubricate. Once in place, they sort of settle down and 
keep PVC "axles" froim falling out...
-- 
	"Steamboat Ed" Haas	:	Learning to say NO is harder 	
	COMING SOON		:	than learning to say YES...
	http://www.west.net/~steamer  	
		---Decks a-wash in a sea of words---

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From: [email-masked] (John Ingham)
Date: Fri, 28 Jun 1996 05:21:20 GMT

On 21 Jun 1996 08:47:46 -0700, [email-masked] (Edward Haas) wrote:

>	Hello gang! I've embarked on a little manufacturing scheme to 
>make some mini-Trebuchets. Some of the essential components include short
>pieces of polyethylene tubing, measuring 1in. i.d., about 1in. long, with 
>a 1/8in. wall (this is the transparent hose sold by the foot in hardware 
>stores). It's too thick to cut with snips and too floppy to cut with a 
>radial arm saw. I'd like to get some recommendations on how to cut it 
>square, with a minimum of swarf. Suggestions??
>	TIA,
>-- 
Tube on 1" dia spud in six jaw or 1- 1/4 collet. Part off one each in
lathe with 1/32 wide parting tool blade... good hook...very
sharp...very fast....use six inch with drill guage as stop...or second
opp other end for precision length. Or have your local butcher cut
them up in his radial knife... good to about 1" long.   ;{)   ...just
kidding.
Machinists Exchange Online

On the Web:
http://www.machinists-exchange.com

email:
[email-masked]

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From: PAUL <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 4 Jul 96 09:32:11 -0500

Spehro Pefhany <[email-masked]> writes:
 
>: 	Hello gang! I've embarked on a little manufacturing scheme to 
>: make some mini-Trebuchets. Some of the essential components include short
>: pieces of polyethylene tubing, measuring 1in. i.d., about 1in. long, with 
>: a 1/8in. wall (this is the transparent hose sold by the foot in hardware 
>: stores). It's too thick to cut with snips and too floppy to cut with a 
>: radial arm saw. I'd like to get some recommendations on how to cut it 
>: square, with a minimum of swarf. Suggestions??
 
Hi Ed.
Msc Industrial (1-800-645-7270) sells a large and small version of tubing
cutter for this purpose. Large capacity to 1 1/4" and small up to 1/2". They
work great.
 
Have Fun!
Paul

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From: [email-masked] (Edward Haas)
Date: 4 Jul 1996 17:14:30 -0700

--Well, gang, here's the results of all of this thought: I went 
and got myself a "toothless" bandsaw blade. It's 5/8in. front to back, 
with a .018in. kerf and I'm running it on a little Delta 10in. 
woodworking saw. The plastic tubing is supported by holding a bit 
of 1in. dia. dowel in my left hand, then pushed a bit into the open end
of the tubing. with the right hand I support the floppy bit (about 3ft at 
a time) and then I advance the plastic tube *gently* into the blade until 
it is just through the wall. At this point I begin rolling the tubing so 
that  only one thickness (the top) is being cut at a time. Eventually a 
circle is completed and the piece is free. I found that if I just push 
the plastic tubing through the saw, for some reason I don't completely 
understand the blade wants to walk forward, i.e. towards me and comes 
free of its guide bushings (scary this is!).
	--Anyway, when all is done correctly, the piece of plastic tubing 
is parted off cleanly with no burr and with no evidence of burning of the 
cut edge. Further, the rate at which I can nip these off means that it is 
suitable for a "light manufacturing" operation, a la kitchen-table 
entrepreneurship... 
	--Thanx again for all the suggestions, gang!
-- 
	"Steamboat Ed" Haas	:	Yikes, I'm 50!!! 	
	COMING SOON		:	The second THIRD of Life...
	http://www.west.net/~steamer  	
		---Decks a-wash in a sea of words---