OK....so you all know I have more power tools than clamps.....or brains for that matter ,so I`m going to cut ALL my 6" BlueTube by hand.
First this will show you it can be done with just one little hand tool ,quickly and accurately.
And that anybody can use BlueTube or phenolic or FG for that matter (although perhaps not all aspects such as fin slots ?)and others, without the need for fancy power tools and saws.
All my cuts and slices and fin slots will be made with my ZONA saw ,and just two saw blades.I just mark the tube in several spots where i want my finished length to be ,cut an appropriate length of heavy cardstock to fit the circumference (18.84 " or 18.8495555.....whatever) about 3" wide and add a 1" tab to tape to the other end ,and while your at it,mark off the locations for the 4 fins and save for later.
Start at one end ,tape down ,and match up with the lines you made ,while pulling it somewhat tightly and tape the tab to the other end.Use a Shrpie fin line marker and follow the edge all around and remove the wrap.You now have a nice dark line to use as you cutting reference.
I like to use a red or black fine tip Sharpie for this ,as it makes a nice dark line on the BlueTube...pencil can be too faint.
I don`t normally like to use Sharpie felt pens or other solvent type pens on tubes,as it may/will/can bleed through when solvent based paints are applied over it ,giving you a nice purple black shadow under your paint job.I learned that one time while airbrushing a model airplane ,where I used a Sharpie to darken panel lines.Strated painting and soon ,I had nice bleeding lines under the paint.....not good !
In this case ,I can use a Sharpie type pen for all my reference lines and work ,as all the BlueTube will be sanded and sealed with clear lacquer ,so the lines will not re-dissolve into my paint/primer work.
You can ,and i have,used one of those archival felt pens to do this also ,as they are permanent and will not be affected by solvents.
Anyway......here`s the saw and tube being cut.It really goes pretty quick ,just make a light shallow cut all around the line you drew and then keep going `round and `round untill you go through.I made a plywood craddle to hold the BT while cutting.It just makes it easier.
For cutting body tubes ,I use the larger blade with the stiffening back (dovetail saw basically) ,very fine teeth ,clean cuts.
I bought the saw at Micro-Mark ,the whole kit saw hanble,4 different blades runs about $10 bucks......a VERY good investment....***Paul T approved ***
Excuse any bad spelling or gibberish for that matter ,as I did not proof read this.....too damn long LOL
Paul T
) and let cure then sand again with 220 grit.
