best way to miter the ends of pipe

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I want to make a frame out of pipe with "mitered" corners. I only have a chop saw. Any tips on how to set up the cut so that the 45 degree cut across the pipe is parallel at both ends? The pipe is 8 feet long. I don't want my frame to come out twisted up, and I'm haviong a hard time figuring how to "index" the pipe so the cuts at each end are in the same plane. Thanks in advance for any help.
Reply:Make your first cut and butt it up against something flat and ideally on the same plane as the Chop saw base, Clamp it, then you can mark the other end with a Speed Square.May be an easier way but this has worked for me.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Use a piece of heavy angle and lay it on the bench that you have the saw setup on, one leg vertical, Rotate the mitered end of the pipe against the vertical leg of the angle so it sits flat against leg of the angle. It'll look something similar to what Ed has posted above, just substitute the cut off saw for the speed square....Mike
Reply:Good suggestions so far. Here's my idea:Use a long piece of angle iron to make reference lines on the pipe. If it has a well defined seam line you can use that. Or clamp the pipe to a flat surface and use a fixed height scribe to make a reference line at each end. Make a reference mark on the saw vice 1/2 the OD of the pipe up from the base. Align the line with the mark and clamp.Lincoln SA200, HH135, Lencospot, HF80 Inverter, Rockwell 11x35 lathe, HF drill mill, Kama 554 tractor w/ FEL & BH, Belarus 250AS, lot's of Chinese tools
Reply:I just use a level. Make the first cut, reverse the pipe, level the first cut vertically, and make the second cut. If you re cutting long joints it helps to have someone to handle the level. I can usually talk my wife into reading the level. Some times it requires bribery like taking her out to eat.
Reply:Use a level on the ends like Oldtimer suggested or do like I do on long sections. If your table is level, or you are on the floor, just butt the cut end against the closest wall. It'll be square enough...its the same idea as using a heavy angle on the table.
Reply:I usually just clamp the tube to a piece of angle, parallel to the tube, before i make the first cut. then leave it clamped while I make the second cut too. on long pieces I clamp a short piece of angle to each end, very close to to where the cut will be.Miller EconotigCutmaster 38Yes ma'am, that IS a screwdriver in my pocket!
Reply:Let me try to describe my method, and if I fail, I'll try to take some pics.  I'm sure you've all seen the cheap anglefinders that consist of a weighted pointer reading against a 360 degree scale.  I sacrificed one of these and cut away all but the basic device.  I epoxied it to a plate that was welded at 90 deg to the axis of a piece of angle about 2 inches long.  I got fancy and made a clamp with tee handle that takes care of 90 percent of my needs--tube or pipe up to 2.5 inches in diameter.  I've used hose clamps, bungee cords, even duct tape to hold it on pipe up to 8 inch.  Fix it in place with pointer at "0".  Make first cut.  Reposition for second cut and clamp with pointer at "0" or any other angle you want.  Hope I didn't lose anyone! RegardsBob
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Make your first cut and butt it up against something flat and ideally on the same plane as the Chop saw base, Clamp it, then you can mark the other end with a Speed Square.May be an easier way but this has worked for me.
Reply:You also have the option of doing some minor calculations for a 2 piece mitre turn to get the numbers for your cut backs.  What Ed and the others have shown already will work just fine, but the Multi piece mitre turn is much easier to use when doing odd number angles, or multi-piece turns.Later,Jason
Reply:I use an electronic smart protractor/level. It tells you what degrees the pipe is at both vertical and horizontal. Makes building race car chassis easy. I'll try and get a picture for you. DarrellLast edited by fastopel; 12-19-2009 at 01:09 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by Joe HI usually just clamp the tube to a piece of angle, parallel to the tube, before i make the first cut. then leave it clamped while I make the second cut too. on long pieces I clamp a short piece of angle to each end, very close to to where the cut will be.