Introduction: Another, Better Tube Chopper
So, it seams like I'll have to say goodbye to my TUBE CHOPPER 3527!!!, since this jig works much better in many ways: no noisy hammerring, no cutting surface, that constantly comes out of condition, much quicker action, and the main thing is that you can put this jig together in few minutes using a couple of wooden scraps.
What this thing does? It chops rings of defined and constant width out of bicycle inner tubes. Why do you need all those rubber rings? You can use them as rubber bands, but also you can create some cool stuff like:
DODECA RUBBER FIDGET BALL FROM INNER TUBES
Step 1:
The main component of the jig is some nice robust sharp scissors.
A piece of wooden scrap is used as a basis. To install scissors you'll have to cut a notch in the basis to fit one of the blades. The scissors I'm using are vintage tailoring ones, they have nice thick blades with quiet wedge-like profile. I'm matching the shape of the notch to that wedge, but making it a bit wider at one side.
Step 2:
By lightly tapping the scissors with rubber mallet I'm driving lower blade into the notch. Make sure it sits not to deep enough and scissors can be fullu closed.
Then I'm driving two wooden wedges at both sides of the blade.
When being nicely wedged, scissors should sit in place quiet firmly.
Step 3:
The last part is installing the fence. Set it parrallel to the scissors' edge at required distance that will determine the width of cutten rings.
7 Comments
5 years ago
I love the sound of the shears chomping down on the tube! :))) #ASMR
5 years ago
Any ideas for one that cuts metal tubes/pipes?
Reply 5 years ago
Huh. I wanted to suggest you buying a tube cutter, but then I remmebered that I red an article about DIY version of it, so... maybe, someday.
5 years ago on Step 4
Ah, you constantly strive to build a better mouse trap. This improvement is perfect. And I love the way you keep it closed. What better device to do that than one of your cutoffs.
KJ
Reply 5 years ago
Thanks, KJ.
5 years ago
Great development from the Mk I. The shears which you are using look to be pretty close to perfect for this application: I think you got lucky finding them! :-)
Good luck with the ongoing projects to use the bands (and neat use of one such band as a safety device).
Reply 5 years ago
Thanks. Yes the first smaller scissors i tryed didn't work well. This part is a bit luck based.