Cutting Thin Stainless Steel tube with Fibre inside

[Brian-Gaff]

Tube cutter?. The ones that run around the tube, obviously. What sort of stainless is it, you make it sound like something special. Brian

[Tim+]

Personally I'd be wary of any "compressive" cutter as it may cause "necking" and damage the fibres. Is there any chance of getting a sample to experiment on before you fly out? A sharp triangular file to weaken the tube and then snapping it would be safer I reckon.

You can buy 4mm stainless steel tube on eBay to practice on. Dunno if it has the same wall thickness though.

Tim

[GB]

You can reduce the necking by keeping the pressure on the tool to the minimum necessary to get it to cut at all. It then takes many many turns to get a cut completed. The OP may have the patience for that. I know I wouldn't.

Also, take some spare cutting wheels.

Would some of this (3mm ID) be worth taking along to make a sleeve after cutting?

[GB]

Oh, and a better quality cutter won't wander!

[FMurtz]

You would be better off to try and score and snap rather than experiment with tube cutters which will deform the tube you may not be far off with the stanley knife option, a stanley knife or snap blade is often harder than a lot of stainless.

[newshound]

+1, I was going to suggest searching wider than eBay. The only downside of that one is that you need several inches of clearance all round in order to swing it, the eBay one was much more compact.

[Peter Parry]

Any of these with the appropriate steel cutting blade?

I've cut a fair amount of small diameter stainless steel pipe with these types of roller cutter and as long as the right cutting wheel is used it isn't too much hassle - it just takes a lot longer than cutting copper does. You are left with a small burr on the inside which can be removed with a small diamond file.

[Thomas Prufer]

Note: I reduced necking by using less pressure and more turns...

I'd not get the ebay special, but something with a bit more assured quality, like the Rothenberger.

Thomas Prufer

[Thomas Prufer]

Wot e said.

Not really a problem, if there is access. It doesn't need to gor round and round, back and fortha lso works, assuming mre than 360° coverage.

Thomas Prufer

[Yendor]

There is no risk, it is not working currently. If I cannot fix it, it will be in the same state it is now. I have offshore Indemnity Insurance. It is not a system critical link. The fibre was damaged some months ago, when I quoted for it. The never went ahead at the time, due to costs. Now they would like me to attempt a repair. Then test the cable, as they think it might be broken in other places.

They don't want to replace end to end, if I can effect a repair. I believe it is operating a CCTV camera.

[Yendor]

I plan in inserting a PVC tube about 2 inches up the Stainless steel tube to guard against this.

[Yendor]

I am hoping there is some spare length at the damaged end, so I can Try before cutting back to the gland.

The expensive tool is not always the best option. This is a one time job. The one the manufacture recommends and sells is no differnt to this, apart from it carrys a logo, is made of stainless steel and cost £450. This is the one they recommend.

Why on earth would I make this up? I don't see your point?

I seen that one, it only goes down to 5mm.

[Yendor]

They won't cut a bit off, I have asked. Its like getting blood out of a stone, getting any information. That is why I have gave them a quote, with the understanding I cannot guarantee I will be able to repair without pictures and more information. Because I am dealing via someone at the Platforms office, I don't think The platform want to admit how much spare I have to work with. Any less than about 300mm, and it makes it almost impossible to get the fibre cleaver in, to square off the end before re termination.

[Yendor]

I cannot find one that goes down to 3mm apart from the £3 ebay one and the £450 manufacturer's recommended one!

[Yendor]

Cheers, I will order the Rothenberger one, that seems a decent tool. Still going to take the ebay ones.

[Fredxxx]

I did a google search for tube cutter 3mm and came up with a few hits.

This one looks better:

Or one designed for 3mm stainless steel tube at £24:

Certainly not £450

[Yendor]

Yep, i have ordered the Rothenberger one also, as mentioned by Peter Parry.

[Andrew]

Or use the tool he is proposing with the addition of old-fashioned engine valve-grinding paste with minimal pressure, to score a snap line around the tube.

[Adrian Caspersz]

A diamond file perhaps? Might be worth asking in a jewellery forum, folks there might be used to working with close metal removal techniques.

[Andrew]

Take some photos of the rig and the job and post them here !.