[mikeweyman]

hi folks, i am in the planning stages of building a frankenstein from a 4 wheeler and a 750 honda inline 4, on what will appear like a honda odyssey frame.
i want to use tube steel instead of square stock because bends will look better than angles welded.
my question is, to make a "t" joint ,how do you remove the semi-circle shape from the adjoining piece ??? do you drill the steel and then cut it off??shape it with the grinder ?? blow it out with the stick welder? i just thought there might be an easier way to get the shape. or will it matter when it's welded. thanks guys, mike

[Kevin45]

do you drill the steel and then cut it off??shape it with the grinder ?? blow it out with the stick welder?

Usually you mark it and grind to the line. To drill it you would need a drill press and a vise. If you have access to a milling machine then that would be the ideal way to put them in. What you could do is get all pieces cut to length allowing for material to be removed (half circle) and take the pieces to a local machine shop and have them radius them for you. I've seen on Orange County Choppers and Jesse James does it is just use the die grinder and trim to the line. If it is good enough for them then it should work for you. Myself, I am a toolmaker and run a mill so that would be the easiest for me.

Kevin

[softtail86]

Mike,

There are a few ways you can do this:

1. You can drill/mill then grind to your line with a drill and vise.

2. They actually sell (eastwood) a tubing notcher for your drill press.

3. Williams Lowbuck sells a different notcher that takes a bite out of the pipe! This is the fastest way to go. They sell about 5 different sizes depenting on the tube size and thickness.

Hope this helps,

Seth

[BOBCRMAN@aol.com]

use a vise in a drill press, then use a correct size common hole saw from the hardware store for a cutter.

[mikeweyman]

thanks guys,the die grinder is probably the best bet for me,thanks again for the info. mike i do have a bimetal holesaw too...