tubing shrinker and sander part 1

[savarin]

On a tip from John Lewis regarding slitting a tube and re welding to make one slip inside another I present how I did the job but even better how I came up with a tube sander that really works.
First I cut the tube with two cutting disks in the angle grinder to get the width of cut needed.
This was cleaned up with a file then I set a couple of worm drive clamps to squeeze the tube to a size that will fit inside the other tube.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s258/savarin48/tube%20sander/fit1.jpg
then I tacked the ends, grinding them down to make sure they fit.
[/IMG]
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s258/savarin48/tube%20sander/tack1.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s258/savarin48/tube%20sander/tack2.jpg
Here you can see the gap I left to ensure full penetration of the weld.
Then a quick grind to get the majority of the excess weld off.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s258/savarin48/tube%20sander/grind.jpg
and now comes the cool bit, I used a belt for a belt sander and turned it inside out, slid it over the tube, fixed a skate board wheel in the drill so it didnt move then drove the belt with the wheel.
It was a resounding success and only took a couple of gentle attempts to get full control of the belt.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s258/savarin48/tube%20sander/sand2.jpg

[savarin]

And here its running flat out.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s258/savarin48/tube%20sander/sand1.jpg
And now the new smooth tube fits smoothly inside the outer tube.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s258/savarin48/tube%20sander/tubes.jpg
However, this is a view down the new tube, a bit of cleaning now required.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s258/savarin48/tube%20sander/inside.jpg

[trikeman]

Nice tutorial savarin. I will have to try that. And, thanks to John for suggesting it.

[SirJoey]

Nicely done, Savarin! Thanx for the tut!


http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/2839/thanksgivingsigsmalllu5.jpg

[John Lewis]

Good one savarin. That's a neat trick.

I stuck mine between centres in my crude wood lathe and then held the inside out belt ad spun the tube.

One thing. I hope you remembered to leave enough room for the paint. I forgot to mention that.

John Lewis

[savarin]

Good one savarin. That's a neat trick.

I stuck mine between centres in my crude wood lathe and then held the inside out belt ad spun the tube.

One thing. I hope you remembered to leave enough room for the paint. I forgot to mention that.

John Lewis

Been there,done that, will never be caught again :rolleyes4: (I hope, depends if oldtimers disease hits again)

[savarin]

Thanks guys, I was so wrapped at how easy it was I had to share.

[macka]

I use a masonary bit extension and a wire wheel to clean the insides of tubes of scale. I could see a small drum sander on an extension working well for that. FYI DeWalt makes a 18" extension bit.

[savarin]

Thanks,
I've been looking for an extension but have had no luck.
Groovy tools are few and far between here

[TheKid]

Some 36 grit paper wrapped and taped around a long length of smaller tube also works well.

[savarin]

Some 36 grit paper wrapped and taped around a long length of smaller tube also works well.

yeah, but that sounds like hard work.:rolleyes4:

[John Lewis]

Thanks,
I've been looking for an extension but have had no luck.
Groovy tools are few and far between here

Hi Savarin,

I have used a piece of threaded rod chucked in the drill. Drill a hole in a length of wood and bolt it to the end. Tack on some bits of emery to make a crude flap wheel and away you go. Hope my quick explanation makes sense else I'll post a piccy.

John Lewis

[savarin]

I've used the slotted rod method for smaller holes but there are too many jagged bits in this tube.
I spoke too soon earlier,a quick squiz in bunnings and voila an extension rod was found.
Next job is some xmas lights all over the bike so I can look a right dork cycling down the strand.
I quite like it at my age, I can fain excentricity, younger blokes just have to put up with being wierd

[macka]

Savarin,

You should grab a set of the programmable LED Christmas lights. There is also a 12VDC license plate cover with a programmable LED message board :punk:. Did I mention an LED strobe???