Need suggestions — Trying to make grooves in PVC pipe

BornKilr

Sr Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Sep 23, 2018

• #1

As the title says, I'm trying to make several, evenly spaced grooves around a 3" OD PVC pipe. I've tried setting fence on table saw, and using the miter guide to align pipe, but it tends to slip. I also tried a dremel with router bit and straight edge guide attachment, but again, it tends to slip. I'm thinking the table router is going to be the way to go, but I don't have it set up yet. But I'm still foreseeing the same issue with keeping the PVC perfectly still so the lines are really straight. I'm thinking some kind of jig, but not sure how to make it and couldn't find anything online. Any suggestions?

 

robn1

Master Member

• Sep 23, 2018

• #2

The router table sounds like the best way, rotated it against a stop block to keep it straight. A trick I've seen wood workers do, is to make a set of strips the width of the spacing you need. After each groove is cut place another strip in place against the stop block, and cut the next groove. This will ensure even spacing.

 

BornKilr

Sr Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Sep 23, 2018

• #3

robn1 said:

The router table sounds like the best way, rotated it against a stop block to keep it straight. A trick I've seen wood workers do, is to make a set of strips the width of the spacing you need. After each groove is cut place another strip in place against the stop block, and cut the next groove. This will ensure even spacing.

Click to expand...

I kinda figured that might be the best bet. I was given a router and I bought a table for it around a year ago, but have never set it up. The kind of stuff I do doesn't require much routing. But i have a feeling after using it, I'll probably use it more than I think.

And I like the strip idea. I was thinking of re-positioning a block each time, which of course, would add to the margin of error.
Probably have to buy a bit, because the grooves need to be really small

 

gonzman70

New Member

• Sep 23, 2018

• #4

I use a pipe cutter for this. Nothing will slip and you will get perfect groves. Protect the pipe with some tape...

 

xl97

Master Member

• Sep 24, 2018

• #5

^ this.

an old trick used in the saber scene for many years...

pipe cutter with enough force/pressure to make the 'cut' (line) as deep as you want.. without cutting all the way through.

 

BornKilr

Sr Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Sep 24, 2018

• #6

Thanks for the ideas. Since I already have a router but no pipe cutter, I'm gonna try that first. If it fails, I'm off to Home Depot for a pipe cutter

 

BornKilr

Sr Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Sep 24, 2018

• #7

Well, the router actually worked pretty good. A few hiccups when the PVC would move, but not too bad. Luckily for what it is, it doesn't need to be perfect. Thanks fr the help.

 

rbeach84

Sr Member

• Sep 24, 2018

• #8

Having trouble visualizing the setup you used. Do you have a pix of your router table setup?
Thanks for sharing!
Regards, Robert

 

BornKilr

Sr Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Sep 24, 2018

• #9

Yeh, you can see it on this thread: https://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=294788

But here is the general setup. I had double sided tape under the wooden block, set perpendicular to fence and just moved it .375" for each cut. I just rolled the PVC into fence to start, then slowly rotated it 360 degrees. To save time, I flipped the PVC so I got 2 cuts for each position.

Robn1 had a better idea, to cut strips of wood and add one each time, but I got lazy and just measured each time