Tricks for finish cutting acrylic tube?

[hyperfocal]

Anyone have any tips or tricks for finish-cutting large diameter acrylic tube? I've tried 'rolling' it on the table saw followed by multiple runs through the router table, but I still end up with small ridges on the finished end.

[Donw]

Build a square box out of scrap plywood to hold the tube vertical. Use a slot cutter with bearing on your router table. Drop the tub over the bit and cut it. Perfect every time.

Don

[hyperfocal]

Excellent, thanks Don.

Now, any tips on building a plywood box square and true?

[blfuller123]

I still roll it on the table saw but made this little jig to keep it straight when I roll it.

[prance1520]

Donw,

You should post some pics if you have some/have some time to snap some. There are quite a few of us here who are much better at visual learning :P

[Donw]

Originally posted by prance1520
Donw,

You should post some pics if you have some/have some time to snap some. There are quite a few of us here who are much better at visual learning :P

I dont have any tube or a camera at the moment. I personally dont use that method any more I just stick it on my lathe. I can fit a 23" tube 8 ft long.

Don

[pescadero]

have you got a bandsaw?

[Donw]

Originally posted by pescadero
have you got a bandsaw?

I do but the darn thing oly has a 20" resaw capacity. The bad part about it is it drifts just like every other bandsaw.

Don

[truthdesigns]

Pretty Crafty blfuller123 I like that!!!!

[fixmgood]

After cutting the tube you need to lap sand it.Tape a medium grit to a flat surface (glass works well) hold the tube vertically and move it in a figure 8,while rotating it. When it is perfectly flat use a fine grit and do it over again. You can use a marker to color the edge that you intend to lap to see the high spots.
hope this helps.