Originally Posted by
Andrew R Stewart
I tried one, the Joint Jigger. But i found the slop in the spindle's bushing and the tube clamp's small contact made for wondering angles. My jigger was also not centered. I shimmed the bushing to get better on center but still dislaiked the tube clamp. I see that Stan uses a reinforcing sleeve on the tube. I still have mine although I've not used it in a long while. It was faster then mitering on my 6" Atlas lathe but with more chudder and tooth catching potential.
The only machine mitering that I've used that was really nice was Doug Fattic's mounted on his Bridgeport mill. It uses a collet to hold the tube and is VERY rigid. Andy.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OP & Andrew; I recently had to replace almost all my original frame making tools, files, torches, frame jigs, etc., (as well as adding an alarm system to the shop). I went back and forth and did a lot of research on mitering tubes. In the end I selected this kit (JD2 Notch Master, TWITS, Snap Collars, and a initial set of saws to be replenished as needed);
The JD2 Notch Master has a heavy duty 1 1/4" thick steel frame and a polished 1" stainless steel shaft running on double sealed needle bearings. So far I have not been able to find any slop in it at all, but it runs buttery smooth. It is also really simple to setup and use. The old $50 unit I had used for quite a while is a wobbly, inprecise tool in comparison.
Find the JD2 unit through Amazon ads or directly here;
http://www.medfordtools.com/notchmaster.html
Here is a pix;
Medford Tools and Supply Order
-----------------------------------
Item Ref. Price ea. Qty. Description
101200 $279.00 1 Notch Master Tube Notcher <<<<<
T-WITS-19 $19.95 1 3/4 TWiTS
T-WITS-25 $19.95 1 1 TWiTS
T-WITS-29 $19.95 1 1-1/8 TWiTS
T-WITS-32 $19.95 2 1-1/4 TWiTS
SYNC-SCL14K $ 89.95 1 Snap Collar 14pc Tube Kit
SYNC-SCL114T $ 9.95 2 Snap Collar 1-1/4 Tube
BIF-16 $ 9.95 1 5/8 fine tooth hole saw
BIF-19 $ 9.95 1 3/4 fine tooth hole saw
BIF-25 $10.95 1 1 inch fine tooth hole saw
BIF-32 $10.95 3 1-1/4 fine tooth hole saw
BIF-35 $11.95 2 1-3/8 fine tooth hole saw
BIF-38 $11.95 2 1-1/2 fine tooth hole saw
BIF-44 $12.95 1 1-3/4 fine tooth hole saw
BIF-51 $13.95 1 2 inch fine tooth hole saw
LEN-30857 $3.95 3 Hole Saw Adapber 1/2x20 to 5/8x18
Hope that helps OP
/K