Anybody used this style of tube notcher?

[Luckypabst]

I just ordered a tube bender from VanSant and I'm debating how much to spend on a notcher.

They can be had on ebay for about 40 bucks...
http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/604431/1031189867708_pipe601.jpg

Or VanSant has one for 170 bucks. VanSant claims superior rigidity on the bearing block with needle bearings and a G&P stainless shaft. Also more accuracy with their Vee block style of tube clamp.

Will I be throwing things trying to do a nice job with the cheaper notcher? Or will I build a few satisfactory cages before I step up to the better one?

Thanks
Chris

[manyolcars]

my kid was planning to buy a tubing notcher to cut up a truckload of 2" thickwall to make a mud buggy. I handed him a bi-metal hole saw and he made all the cuts he wanted and the hole saw is still good.

[ELpolacko]

That tube notcher looks a little like the one I got from Dale Wilch years ago. Been a faithfull trooper, works very well. We are getting a bit too busy to continue using it, as in it cannot keep up with our production. But for small shops and home hobbyists you can't go wrong.

[hemi coupe]

dude, spend the money and get the good one. I have gone through the cheap ones. I spent the money and got the good one and it works way better. If you would like to try it out before you buy it, you can come by my shop, it is located in orange,
circle city hot rods 714-532-6640
JimmyWhite

[long island vic]

get the big doller one. it givs a more perceise cut use good bits strong drill and plenty of lube.always put the tubing mark straight up at 12 o clock . that way all your angles will be the same. to be sure of your angles make a few shorts up and test fit them before the big cut

[FEDER]

I got one from Art Morrison. After 3 rollcages the bushings on the shaft wore to one side. It started chattering.I replaced them at work for free. Its fine now but, BUY the good one with rollerbearings wish mine was.---Feder

[Luckypabst]

Thanks guys, pretty much the consensus I expected. Cheap tools suck balls no matter how well sugar coated.

Chris

[Hot Rod To Hell]

It just depends on how much you're gonna use it. If you're gonna do one car, save the money, buy the cheap one (I put a 10pt cage in my car with a HF notcher, and it still works great). If you're gonna be doing production work, get the good one.