Tubing Notchers

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I am going to be buying a tubing notcher and want some input. Generally you get what you pay for but Eastwood and a few others have a $70 one and then $300 ones. Specs look about the same, what am I missing?
Reply:i have the original brand (cant remember the name) was about $200....threads stripped out on it.......2or 3 freinds of mine have bought the HF ones with no complaints. One of my freinds only has high-end brand name tools , and i spotted one in his droor and another on a drill press in the back of the shop &  gave'm a hard time about it. Says he likesm.        thermal arc 252i  -  millermatic 350P -   miller XMT, cp300ts, 30a 22a feeders, buttload of other millers, handfull of lincolns, couple of esabs  -   Hypertherm 1250 G3
Reply:I have the jd2 100, I bought it used years ago, and I have used the piss out of it on top of loaning out to buddy's who have used the crap out of it as well, it still is nice and tight, and the quality is top notch. never tried the cheaper ones, but if I had to buy another one, I'd fork out the dough for the jd2 TN 100"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal"   -Henry Ford
Reply:The HF notcher is worth about what you pay for it.  If you don't do a great deal of tube coping the HF will work but for tight tolerances or doing a lot of notches it's not the best choice.  The plate flexes quite a bit and getting repetitive cuts could be problematic.  There is also a fair amount of slop in the shaft.I'm currently using a JD2 Notchmaster having used the TN100 and the Ol' Joint Jigger previously.  All are far superior to the HF (which I've used also).  If I were buying one now I'd get the JD2 "Beast" to be able to notch curved tubes easier but it's not cheap.    I think the best value is the Notchmaster but if you don't need to do offset copes the TN100 is a great choice.
Reply:I had a HF notcher and it worked ok for a while then the plate bent and it started having more and more trouble.  I upgraded to a Notchmaster and it's been great.  However I do like the 2 sided notching the JMR tn1000 but its costly.
Reply:I pieced this one together cheaper than the manual ones. Attached Images1995 supra 6-speed. 9.91 @148 mph on e85
Reply:I used this one for the first time this weekend. Alittle learning curve. but I like it. I'm a hobby guy  not a pro. http://www.pro-tools.com/hsn500.htmDave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:'Ol Joint Jigger , that was the original , was'nt it. They all look like improved copies. the thread here on "fishmouthing a tube" ,  no plasma or torch notching anymore.?the problem i remember having , was with really light gauge , thin tubing , the clamping  system would mash the tubes.......i started to make dyes on the mill , for each size tube.        thermal arc 252i  -  millermatic 350P -   miller XMT, cp300ts, 30a 22a feeders, buttload of other millers, handfull of lincolns, couple of esabs  -   Hypertherm 1250 G3
Reply:not dyes , alum.clamping blocksjust use elctricity now        thermal arc 252i  -  millermatic 350P -   miller XMT, cp300ts, 30a 22a feeders, buttload of other millers, handfull of lincolns, couple of esabs  -   Hypertherm 1250 G3
Reply:Originally Posted by IndysupraI pieced this one together cheaper than the manual ones.
Reply:Originally Posted by dstevensCounting the cost of the mill?
Reply:Yes. The mill(used) was almost the same price as the rougher. It is cheap china junk. Some of the manual ones are $500! I found the lathe used for 270 and there have been a few others on craigs list for that cheap. The lathe new form wholesale tool is 699.00 ish.1995 supra 6-speed. 9.91 @148 mph on e85
Reply:Originally Posted by IndysupraYes. The mill(used) was almost the same price as the rougher. It is cheap china junk. Some of the manual ones are $500! I found the lathe used for 270 and there have been a few others on craigs list for that cheap. The lathe new form wholesale tool is 699.00 ish.
Reply:Even if you dont find a mini lathe for that cheap you can still be into a tubing notcher that can do other things for less than the big bucks for a big electric notcher that pro tools sell(3995.00!!!!!!!).1995 supra 6-speed. 9.91 @148 mph on e85
Reply:I watch my local craiglist tools section on my days off. The good deals get snatched up quickly. I was talking to my gf the other day about my shop. I have only bought one of my tools brand new. The rest has all came from craigslist. I've paid well under half of new price for all of my tools. The advantage is I have a Logan lathe, Miller welders, etc - quality machines for very good prices. I recently picked up a nice Grizzly band saw with cooling, etc for 25% of new price.
Reply:As we are talking drill presses. I have some larger bits that I would like to have resharpened. Does any know of places close to Dubuque IA.]Lincoln PT 225 Tig
Reply:Indysupra.....I was wondering about making some kind of notch cutter with my lathe....what kind of end mill (or whatever ya call it) would a person look for,?????