Cutting large pipe

Jewelry Discussion
21 
That's what we used. We placed the tube on the table, the end of
it was on an adjustable stand to keep it level. It is copper, and
the pieces annealed easily. It was used in a plant in VA for a
heating system. They upgraded and disassembled the system and sold
off the scrap.

I would have annealed it if I was going to cut by hand, I wouldn’t
have annealed it if I was using metal cutting disks.

However it has worked out, and you have the bracelets :slight_smile:

Regards Charles A.

22

Dinah,

Nice bangle from that tube.

If you want to make more of those bracelets than you have tube for
what you are looking for is “Type M Copper Tube in 4” diameter" which
is actually 4.125 in diameter and has a .093" (3/32) wall thickness.
It is difficult to find as it is too large for residential use so it
is not stocked by typical plumbing supply businesses. You can buy it
by the foot here

http://www.plumbingsupply.com/copperpipe.html

it is the only place I have found that doesn’t want to sell me a 20’
length. It also is available in a 3" (3.125") diameter that might be
better for smaller bracelets.

If you can find someone with a horizontal band saw the cuts will be
much cleaner and not take so much work to clean up.

James Binnion
James Binnion Metal Arts

23

I cast both small and large (50 lb.) works in brass, si-bronze and
aluminum. I have tried a variety of methods for cutting ingots (22
lb. for the bronze) and junkyard scraps (brass and aluminum.) Your
advice relastive to getting the right disc to “chop” these soft
metals is quite sound. I have found it better to use a metal cutting
band saw, ($175.00 for a floor model or a hand-held version for about
$80.00–both from harbour Freight…I have been using the same two
for about 12 years.) Another alternative is to use a reciprocating
saw with a good hacksaw blade. Thisi tool, too, is not very expensive
and works well except for very large pieces.

In my shop I have found using a chop saw and disc to be less
effective and more expensive. I do, however, use appropriate cutoff
discs with a 4.5 inch angle grinder for cutting sprues and vents
from castings. I hope these suggestions will be of help to someone
out there.