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  1. #1
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    Default Need advice - Method to cut 3/8" copper couplers?

    I have hundreds of 3/8" copper tubing couplers (used in AC systems) which are 20mm in length. I need to cut them down to 18mm in length. How can I do this economically and with a nice cut? Also, just holding such a short (length) of tubing like that in order to cut it is another question.

  2. #2
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    What tools do you have available? I would probably mill the top off all of them, then use a countersink to deburr them all probably just put that in a pistol drill. Copper will burr up real bad unless you use extremely sharp tools.

  3. #3
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    One possibility is to use 6" long 3/8" bolt with a pair of nuts locked of exposing 18mm of thread.
    Pop the coupler on the exposed thread and sand off the excess 2mm with a medium grit belt grinder.
    Maybe a jig to hold it square to the and sand till you see sparks from the bolt.
    When the bolt wears too far adjust the position of the pair of nuts
    Copper sands quite nicely on a belt grinder.

  4. #4
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    Just a garage mechanic here. Ordinary hand tools, drill, grinding wheel, saber saw, grinder, Dremel, etc.


    Quote Originally Posted by caskwarrior View Post
    What tools do you have available? I would probably mill the top off all of them, then use a countersink to deburr them all probably just put that in a pistol drill. Copper will burr up real bad unless you use extremely sharp tools.

  5. #5
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    Second part I get. Not exactly sure I'm understanding your setup in the first sentence though?

  6. #6
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    Just a simple tool to set the tube length !
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    Default

    Given you don't have a lathe and you specified a nice cut, I would slip each coupler onto a piece of ⅜ steel bar and cut the 2mm off with a copper tubing cutter. Place a another coupler onto the bar for the cutter wheel to ride on. If you are doing hundreds of them, I would also fit a collar to the bar to act as a depth stop so you don't have to measure the cut each time.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Chris

  8. #8
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    Next time better QC (quality control at the factory). I have 1,000 that were cut wrong (too long) and I need to fix, if possible and economical. Imported them. No sending back.

  9. #9
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    Nice idea. How would you debur? Put a 3M deburring wheel on the grinder, or???

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by BarkityBark View Post
    How would you debur?
    Good question. I'd be hoping if the coupler was a snug fit on the steel bar, the burr would be small enough that it didn't beed to be removed. Given you have 1000 of them, it might be cost effective to take them to a metalwork shop and ask them to cut them down on a lathe. Depends how much you paid for them in the first place though.

    May I ask what the job is that the extra 2mm can't be accommodated?
    Chris

  11. #11
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    They won't fit in my die set with the extra 2mm.

  12. #12
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    OK. Are these compression fittings? Something like this? RLS LLC – RLS Refrigeration Press Fittings
    Chris

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by jack620 View Post
    OK. Are these compression fittings? Something like this? RLS LLC – RLS Refrigeration Press Fittings
    No, solder.

    couplers.jpg
    Attached Images Attached Images

  14. #14
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    So they have a ridge in the middle to centre the joiner on the pipes. Do you want to take 1mm off each end, or are you happy with 2mm off one end?
    Chris

  15. #15
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    Mine are straight, with no ridge (stop).

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