Anyone have a tubing notcher?

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Just looking for some recommendations on a tubing notcher,  so, if you have one that you love, or one that you despise and want to throw in the garbage let me know.

Also, to some of you that have used the various types, if you could tell me some features that you find really handy, or some designs that are annoying, it would be really helpful before I lay down the cash.

I'm having a hard time deciding on one that uses a hole saw (less initial investment, higher longterm operating cost) VS.  a hydraulic (higher initial investment, hopefully less longterm operating cost) styled notcher that uses a shear blade.
If you have experience using both, I'd love to hear from you.  My understanding is that the hydraulic shear designs have tradeoffs like not being able to notch at the higher angles like you can with a hole saw.  Any little tidbits like this that anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks 

Edited by smoke - Oct/04/2011 at 1:04am

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smoke Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Oct/25/2009 Status: Offline Points: 633	Post Options Post Reply Quote smoke Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Anyone have a tubing notcher? Posted: Oct/04/2011 at 1:02am
	Just looking for some recommendations on a tubing notcher, so, if you have one that you love, or one that you despise and want to throw in the garbage let me know. Also, to some of you that have used the various types, if you could tell me some features that you find really handy, or some designs that are annoying, it would be really helpful before I lay down the cash. I'm having a hard time deciding on one that uses a hole saw (less initial investment, higher longterm operating cost) VS. a hydraulic (higher initial investment, hopefully less longterm operating cost) styled notcher that uses a shear blade. If you have experience using both, I'd love to hear from you. My understanding is that the hydraulic shear designs have tradeoffs like not being able to notch at the higher angles like you can with a hole saw. Any little tidbits like this that anyone has would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Edited by smoke - Oct/04/2011 at 1:04am

tufcj Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Jul/10/2007 Location: Watkins, CO Status: Offline Points: 4086	Post Options Post Reply Quote tufcj Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Oct/04/2011 at 7:31pm
	I have one from Harbor Freight. It gets the job done. It works with a drill press, it requires about 13" of space between the chuck and table, so you need a big table top or free standing press. It would be pretty hard to use without a press. It has a standard arbor size, so I use high quality Starrett bi-metal hole saws. I think it ran around $60, and the hole saws are around $15 each. Bob tufcj
	69 AMX 74 Javelin AMX 67 Rogue If you need a tool and don't buy it... you'll eventually pay for it... and not have it. Henry Ford