Home >> Hobbies >> Other Hobbies

Pipe Notching Techniques

Pipe notching is a cutting technique designed to allow two ends of a smooth pipe or one end and one side of a pipe, to slot or match up together. This joint is then filled in with a weld or fitted with a connector.

Notching Techniques
- Typical notching techniques are the fish mouth and compound fish mouth. As the name implies, these notches resemble a fish's mouth. Of these types, there are many sub-types of pipe notching -- angled-end, straight-end and side. The type of notch created is entirely dependent upon the final product.
Hole Saws
- For the hobbyist, handyman or occasional pipe notching job, the hole saw is an inexpensive and efficient method for making notches in pipe. A hole saw can be affixed to a drill press or a handheld drill and produce an efficient, if less than aesthetically pleasing, notch best-suited for weld joints.
Abrasive Belt
- Abrasive-type notchers use an abrasive belt to sand or grind the material to the desired size and shape. These machines are preferred for thin-walled materials with thicknesses less than 0.065 inches. Mandrels -- a tool component used to grip or hold materials being worked on -- of varying size are used to hold the material in place. A linear screw or feed lever correctly positions the material on the machine and feeds it into the mandrel and belt. Additional features, such as a grinding station, make the abrasive notchers popular. Because of the intense heat, sparks and dust generated by these machines users must wear the proper protective equipment and keep the machine away from ignition sources.
End Mill
- End mill-style machines -- portable, electrically powered industrial cutting machines - are generally used to notch materials with thicknesses greater than 0.065 inches. One version of this type of notcher has a stationary end mill in which the material is fed into the cutter either straight or at an angle. End mill notchers will notch outer diameters as small as 0.25 inches, making them versatile. Another type of end mill, the eccentric-cut, will notch materials over a range of outer diameters -- from 1 inch to 3 inches -- without having to change cutters. These machines make precision cuts, produce no heat, dust or sparks and are safe in enclosed areas.

Other Hobbies