angle cutting question

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I want to weld some lightweight frames out of galvanized conduit, and I want to miter cut the corners. The frame will be used for an outdoor shade screen, just a big rectangle to hold a tarp vertically. Any ideas on  how to line up the miter cut on a chop saw at each end of the eight foot tube so my corners will be square and the rectangle will not be twisted? Thanks for any help,
Reply:Just use the same 45 degree angle for you cut, just turn the piece your cutting.1st cut \--------------------------/     the turn piece around for second cut.I am tired of Ketchup, I want the Gravy...
Reply:set the blade at 45 , with the pipe in the vise, scribe  the very top at each end. make the first cut, turn the pipe around paying attention to the top, which will now be  on bottom, and make the 2nd cut. the faces should be in one plane,  ..
Reply:You can make a simple jig to make sure your tubing stays indexed and cuts are perfect on both ends every time.the jig can be something as simple as taking a piece of plate or some flat bar and welding a piece of angle or square tube vertical to the flat bar. Once you have your jig made, make your first cut at 45 degrees, turn the piece around and put the cut end to the jig you just made, rotate the cut end so it sits flat on the face of the jig and you are ready for the next cut.If needed, I can make a jig in the morning and post pictures to make it easy to understand my way of doing things. Let me know if i need to make one for demonstration purposes.I am what I am, Deal with it!If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!
Reply:The way I do it is draw a line right down the center of the pipe on both sides. Top and bottom then just go off that to cut your 45's.Last edited by tzhauling; 12-17-2009 at 01:36 AM.
Reply:If your saw is placed on a nice level surface, you could use a small bubble level to get the tube aligned for the second cut.Check the bed of your saw (align the level in the same way as the piece you cutting will be) for level, then check the blade for plumb and adjust as necessary. Clamp your stock in the vice, place the level against the first cut and rotate the stock until the cross bubble shows that your first cut is plumb. Also, when you go to weld your frame use tack welds on the inside of the corners (or the outside if your cuts have too much angle) and tweak the frame until it's straight, then tack the front side and then flip it and tack back side. If it comes out warped like a potato chip, you can fix that by cutting the front and inside corner tacks in two opposite corners and re-tweaking until it's flat.
Reply:This is what you need: Attached ImagesCommon sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Reply:there ya go!