how do i cut sonotube and keep the cut straight ?

zuki · 8th July 2006, 07:20 PM

what is the secret magic trick to this ?

thank you

poobah · 8th July 2006, 07:33 PM

Get a long piece of paper at least 1 foot wide. Wrap this around the sonotube until the edges are aligned exactly and ther are no wrinkles. Take a pencil and scribe along the paper. Cut by wahtever means and follow the line.

audio-kraut · 8th July 2006, 07:43 PM

just send it here - i'll cut anything up to 6" with my chop saw...

zuki · 8th July 2006, 07:47 PM

the tube is 12" dia

poobah · 8th July 2006, 07:49 PM

Your paper should be about 4 - 5 feet long then. What tool are using to cut with?

GhettoSQ · 8th July 2006, 07:55 PM

A piece of masking tape works wonders as a guide. A steady hand and a box cutter should do the trick. You could always cut it a little long and file or even sand it down, too. I just got a dremel I'm going to try next but again, steady hand. Also, a few of my saws come with edge guides one could place on the other side.

audio-kraut · 8th July 2006, 07:58 PM

go with poobahs advice - masking tape is not easy for a nice straight egde.
I would cut using a fairly fine tooth sandvik saw, about 16" minimum.
Boxcutters on sonotube...naahhh, broken blades, cut fingers come to mind.

Also - I cut a lot of ABS by hand - cut to below the thickness of the material, then turn the tube, and cut following the previous cut channel and the pencil mark, continue that way. It is easier to follw the line thean trying to cut through the whole tube from the start position.

zuki · 8th July 2006, 07:59 PM

it needs to be cut down from 12' to 36"

i have plenty of saws. just want to know how to do it.

thank you

GhettoSQ · 8th July 2006, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by audio-kraut
Boxcutters on sonotube...naahhh, brolen blades, cut fingers come to mind.

They don't call me Ghetto for nuthin'!

seriously, I actually used duct tape but it can pull off the outer layer upon removal. it seemed like the box cutter really "used" the guide if I went slow. Definitely ate the blade though.

poobah · 8th July 2006, 08:09 PM

Masking tape or duck tape won't establish a line that is truely perpendicular to the tube. The long piece of paper will... if you don't have paper, a piece of kitchen foil will work too.

Following the line with a saw is problem #2. Getting a good line to follow is problem #1.

8th July 2006, 07:55 PM	#6
GhettoSQ diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Boston, MA	A piece of masking tape works wonders as a guide. A steady hand and a box cutter should do the trick. You could always cut it a little long and file or even sand it down, too. I just got a dremel I'm going to try next but again, steady hand. Also, a few of my saws come with edge guides one could place on the other side. __________________ GhettoSQ Somewhere between Craft and Kraft

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8th July 2006, 07:20 PM	#1
zuki diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: earth	how do i cut sonotube and keep the cut straight ? what is the secret magic trick to this ? thank you

8th July 2006, 07:33 PM	#2
poobah diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005	Get a long piece of paper at least 1 foot wide. Wrap this around the sonotube until the edges are aligned exactly and ther are no wrinkles. Take a pencil and scribe along the paper. Cut by wahtever means and follow the line.

8th July 2006, 07:43 PM	#3
audio-kraut diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: 12km off the alaska highway in northern BC	just send it here - i'll cut anything up to 6" with my chop saw...

8th July 2006, 07:47 PM	#4
zuki diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: earth	the tube is 12" dia

8th July 2006, 07:49 PM	#5
poobah diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005	Your paper should be about 4 - 5 feet long then. What tool are using to cut with?

8th July 2006, 07:58 PM	#7
audio-kraut diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: 12km off the alaska highway in northern BC	go with poobahs advice - masking tape is not easy for a nice straight egde. I would cut using a fairly fine tooth sandvik saw, about 16" minimum. Boxcutters on sonotube...naahhh, broken blades, cut fingers come to mind. Also - I cut a lot of ABS by hand - cut to below the thickness of the material, then turn the tube, and cut following the previous cut channel and the pencil mark, continue that way. It is easier to follw the line thean trying to cut through the whole tube from the start position.

8th July 2006, 07:59 PM	#8
zuki diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: earth	it needs to be cut down from 12' to 36" i have plenty of saws. just want to know how to do it. thank you

8th July 2006, 08:09 PM	#10
poobah diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005	Masking tape or duck tape won't establish a line that is truely perpendicular to the tube. The long piece of paper will... if you don't have paper, a piece of kitchen foil will work too. Following the line with a saw is problem #2. Getting a good line to follow is problem #1.

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