SLAG Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 Just ran into this list of very clever hacks concerning all manner of subject matter. (including some, work shop and smithy ideas) It's worth a look through. SLAG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausfire Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 Hmmm. Some very useful ideas there ... and a few pretty dodgy ones too! I never knew you could cut PVC pipe with a piece of string. Now I'll have to try that and see if it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLAG Posted January 26, 2018 Author Share Posted January 26, 2018 Aus, I thought the PVC pipe idea a little odd. But I had recently seen it somewhere else. iirc that source mentioned that the cutting was done by friction. I suspect that it would require a fair amount of string. Let me know how it works out. Happy Australia Day to you and everyone else Down Under. Regards, SLAG. from 'Up Above". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausfire Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 Slag, I had to try that doubtful trick about cutting PVC pipe with a piece of string. Surprisingly, I could see how it works. I used a length of builders line (or several actually) to cut through a 40mm pipe. I also found a quicker method: an old steel cable from a motorcycle clutch. The friction created actually melts the pipe rather than cuts. And you don't want to touch the wire during the process. Cheers and thanks for the Australia Day wishes. It was a work day for me as we always have a lot of visitors to the forge on this day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 My dogs would stand at the 5-gallon-pail feeder and eat until it was empty. What dog ever practiced portion control? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLAG Posted January 26, 2018 Author Share Posted January 26, 2018 Aus, Thank you for the rapid reply. The melting observation is good information for a neat trick/hack. (truc in French). I'll keep clear of the hot motorcycle cable wire. Regards, SLAG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 They acualy sell what is esentualy bike shifter/brake cable cutters at your plumbing/building supply store. The are very useful for close quarters/old work applications. One might find the wire saws sold at camping goods a better option as the extra wire spiral bights a bit better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kozzy Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 Cutting PVC with a string is darned easy when you have the right string and don't need a perfectly straight end. Works like a charm and is a lot faster on sewer pipe than a hand saw in the field. I compared to an actual saw specifically designed for large PVC pipe and a string---string was generally more than twice as fast. The only thing to watch out for is hesitating: Since you are melting the cut on the PVC, if you stop for a second it will solidify and grab the string. It's a necessity in some cases to be able to use a string---I recently had a problem with some PVC conduit that had the wire already through it but needed to be cut. A saw would have possibly damaged the wire and it would have been impossible to push the wire end back down the conduit to clear the saw. Additionally, there was a conduit clamp holding the piece to a metal post just 2 inches below the cut area so no back clearance. I ran a string around the backside, did the yanking, and cut the offending expansion joint off without any wire damage or having to remove the clamp. Zip zip, back in business with a new expansion joint and weather-proof box welded on the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLAG Posted January 26, 2018 Author Share Posted January 26, 2018 Kozzy, Great information. Are certain kinds of string better than others? I suspect that almost any string would work in the field. I love this site. There are so many knowlegeable people here with a vast stock of information and all manner of experience. SLAG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kozzy Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 1 hour ago, SLAG said: Are certain kinds of string better than others? SLAG. Every time I've tried it, I simply grabbed what I had hand for string. I did have one that had problems and tended to break but others I tried all worked fine. I have no clue what the actual materials were...other than it even worked with a cotton string. I have some kevlar stunt kite string (spectra) that I should toss in the back of the tool box as an actual "tool" for this. That stuff is known to friction cut remarkably well. Long strokes so the string itself cools off a bit while out of the cut....basically nearly full arm and not just little wiggles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLAG Posted January 28, 2018 Author Share Posted January 28, 2018 Kozzy, Great information. Thanks. SLAG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.