Large Diameter Tube Notcher

[jmen68]

Long time lurker here...

I am building a sign truss structure with 3 1/2" OD truss diagonals that will meet up with a 4 1/2" chord. My issue is there is a LOT of diagonals and to hand cut all these copes by hand will take many many hours, so I am looking for a machine to do this for me.
I have been looking online and at every company I know of to find a large diameter pipe/tube notcher that can make these notches at a 35-90 degree angle.

Anyone know of a piece of machinery that has this capability?

Any leads will help,
Thanks in advance!

 

[MiketheEngineer]

No clue

But you might be able to weld plates to the chords - slot the diagonals and weld to them??

 

[btrueblood]

Yes. But they aren't cheap. Look here:

http://www.vansantent.com/tube_coping_machines.htm

The Scotchman AL150 can handle that size tubing.

It might be cheaper to jig up the parts and program an NC milling machine to cut the profiles, or hire a local machine shop to do it for you.

 

[ATSE]

Lots of guys that do this in their shop, or will sell you equipment that does.
One of many:

http://www.alspi.com/tubecut.htm