[TheForge] cutting off copper ferrules?

[Bruce Freeman]

Lots of good ideas.  Thanks.

I'd heard copper worked differently on the lathe than other metals,
but I didn't know what to do about it.

I tried a sharp parting tool and had trouble.  Strange that a slightly
dulled one should work.  I guess it's a question of grabbing the
copper.  I also tried a hacksaw while the tube was spinning in the
lathe, and did not have good results.  I probably should get an
assortment of good hacksaw blades, but this approach wasn't promising.

I think I'll try them in this order:

1) Tubing cutter with a 1/2" rod inside the copper tube.  The burrs on
the end are the killer.  I could tolerate it on one end, but not on
the other where it has to slip on.  Clearance is too tight.  If the
burr were tiny enough I'd just clean it up with the file, but I was
getting substantial constriction of the tubing.   I have a drift for
swelling the end of soft copper pipe to obviate using a union, but I
doubt it has a purely 1/2" diameter section.  I'll check.  If I don't
have 1/2" rod or dowel, I can easily get one.  I like the idea of
doing this on the lathe.  I could probably use the roller assembly
from a tubing cutter as a lathe tool...

2) Dremel cut-off wheel, with or without turning slow in the lathe.
This seems sure-fire, but is a little more trouble.

3) Single-point tool in the lathe.  I'll have to review all the
suggestions to get the tool right.

4) Jewel's saw.  These cut most metals beautifully, but are slow and
it takes skill to make a straight cut.  I'm not so skilled...

I'm going to pass on ideas that require major tools I dont' have, like
the double-wheel cut-off saw, plasma cutter, etc.

Thanks again,