Need expert guidance on rookie DIY build.

[Steeki]

You would need something like this :

If I had the money, this would be my machine alright.

No problem, I like an intellectual challenge :)

How long are these slots? I just a little concerned how you'd move 3m of tubing under cutter and still have rigidity and repeatability since you can't necessarily take a 5mm deep cut, it'll need several passes.

The slot will be a maximum of 300mm from the end of the tube and no more. so that is the basic cutting area.

Would a pipe threading machine convert ? extend stroke length, mount Z above, control rotation.

or this ?
http://www.jgsfab.com/tubepro.html

Thats a brilliant job that. would be exactly what im looking for, minus the engraving tool. Although The chuck looks a bit small for my application.

On this note, what type of chuck is this? One with a through bore hole and clamps around the workpiece? This would be the first part of my jigsaw.

Do you want to cut thru slots in tube or pocket slots for say Key ways etc.? . . . . This will make a huge difference to how the machine needs building regards strength.
If just thru slots then plasma is the simple way just like the link eddy provided if it's the latter then something similiar would work but would need Major strength and clamping at the cutting head.

its thru slots mate. Ive decided to use a 12mm slot drill to mill these slots out. Im guessing here, but maybe it would be cheaper to put together than plasma? Also running cost maybe cheaper? All I need is my machine set to a constant speed and feed rate as the material will never change, nor will the thickness.


I will try and draw something up to explain it better. Im sure we could all understand a few drawings

[Steeki]

Apologies for the very basic drawing using MS Paint. But it should show what I have in mind regarding the machine, and what is required for the product.

[Steeki]

Could I use the likes of a handheld mini drill as my cutting tool?

[GEOFFREY]

Could I use the likes of a handheld mini drill as my cutting tool?

5mm steel, 12mm slot drill!!! I don't think so. G.

[Steeki]

5mm steel, 12mm slot drill!!! I don't think so. G.

Right. Okay.

So what could I use?

[EddyCurrent]

Could I use the likes of a handheld mini drill as my cutting tool?

I wouldn't think so, also this needs thinking about more because it now seems overkill to build a 3 axis machine for such a simple operation.
It's made more difficult due to the pipe being steel, if it was wood for example I would make a larger tube to go over it, this larger tube would have the required slots already cut in it then I would use a router with a guide bush to follow the slots while cutting the workpiece tube inside, if you follow my drift.

[JAZZCNC]

Plasma is what you need. The forces to cut steel, even with Slot drill are much more than you probably realise if your suggesting to use Dremel type spindle.
The spindle will need to be slow spinning with plenty of torque. The Milling head will need to be very strong and clamp the pipe tight to handle the forces involved.

While Plasma cutter will cost more than spindle the cycle times for jobs will be much faster if you used plasma and the overall machine strength can be lot less as there are no cutting forces involved saving money on the build. These two things alone will outway the expense and pay back down the line.

No brainer to me Plasma is the way to do this.! . . . . . Just look around every machine doing this job uses Plasma or Laser.!!!