From: muratlanne@gmail.com   
      
   "Bob La Londe"  wrote in message news:10o72bs$26ine$1@dont-email.me...   
      
   After modifying the cheap Harbor Freight tube notcher so it (should)   
   work okay for the NAU BAJA SAE team, I had a realization.  All you need   
   is a clamp and a spindle.  In theory I could use (almost) any half   
   decent swivel base vise with pipe jaws or prismatic jaws, and improvise   
   a spindle.   
      
   Yes, Jim, you could certainly CNC it, ...   
      
   -----------------------------   
      
   When I had a similar problem with the bucket loader, drilling parallel   
   bearing holes 48" apart on a mill with a 24" table, I reduced it to clamping   
   on fixturing that gave the tube effectively a square section with straight   
   parallel sides, an easier shape to mount at the desired angle with standard   
   milling accessories. The tube was square but not perfectly straight. I think   
   I used a row of insert vises to create in effect one long flat reference   
   surface. I used them or vee blocks to saw perpendicular 45's on both ends of   
   the water pipe push handle for the sawmill. I don't remember which because I   
   tried several approaches with the equipment on hand.   
      
   If I was to make fixturing for round tubing it would be several pairs of   
   bolt-together vee blocks without vise handles protruding inconveniently from   
   the side. A shallow vee on the backs could center the drill bit or hole saw.   
   Recessed bolt heads would let the work be flipped.   
      
   I use a Portalign as a portable sliding spindle, but it’s a woodworking tool   
   whose  stiffness may be inadequate for other than perpendicular holes in   
   steel. Perhaps if a mill isn't available a square clamp block fixture   
   mounted on a tilted drill press table would do for fishmouthing tubing?   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)