Tubing Cutter Saw, Model 1

Corbin Manufacturing produces a power saw for cutting non-ferrous tubing to precise length for the manufacture of bullet jackets. The saw operates on 115 volts, with a 10,000 rpm 1/5-HP motor. A geared belt runs a precision ball bearing spindle, which turns a special 3-inch diameter, .032-thick ceramic coated metal cutting blade.

The saw fits into a 9.5 by 9.5 inch space, easily qualifying as a "minature" power tool. But it is far more precise than larger cut-off tools, leaving little or no burr, and maintaining exact alignment of the tubing. A spring-loaded adjustable clamp vise holds copper, brass, or aluminum tubing of 1/8 to 5/8-inch diameter, allowing the stock to be moved along by hand without unfastening the clamp. The tubing stock is pushed up against an adjustable position stop, which sets the length of the jacket to be cut off. The stop can adjust from nearly zero to 3 inches of tube length, adequate for any small arms caliber including the .50 BMG.

Jacket wall thickness of .020 to .050 inches can be cut cleanly with the tool, by pressing gently on a smal lever, which lowers the saw blade through the material. Blade life is good with the ceramic coated fine tooth blades provided, but can be extended by using an evaporative spray coolant system (follow manufacturer's instructions regarding ventilation).

Bullet jackets with closed bases can be made from tubing, using Corbin's CTJM- series of tubing jacket makers, with models made for any Corbin press. The advantages of tubing jackets include: easily adjusted lengths, heavier walls than typical factory bullets for superior big game performance, excellent expansion characteristics (especially when used with Corbin Core Bond), relatively low cost tools to make the jackets, and readily available raw materials (over 200 mill outlets supply proper size tubing, and Corbin stocks tubing in 4-foot sections in the .035 inch wall thickness most used by bullet makers).

No license or special permit is required to manufacture bullet jackets from tubing, nor to make bullets from the material. (Selling the bullets to the public requires a Class 6 FFL.) The alternative methods of cutting tubing have these drawbacks:

• Tubing Cutters: Roll the edge too much, and have no precision length adjustment.
• Normal Power Saws: Tend to leave burrs, throw the material, and distort the tubing.
• Cut-off Saws: Burn, smear, and cut very slowly through copper.
• Turret Lathes: Excellent method but usually too expensive for small business or hobby.
• CNC Machine Center: Excellent for high volume, far too costly for small business or hobby.

• SAW-B Replacement saw blade, dry-film lube coated cyrogenic treated for long blade life and lower cutting friction.
  
  
• SAW-BB Replacement saw blade screw, left-hand thread grade 5 hardened steel.
  
  
• SAW-1DB Replacement toothed drive belt for SAW-1.

Note: The SAW-1 and SAW-2 are both made for cutting non-ferrous metals such as copper, brass, and aluminum. They will not cut stainless steel tubing! Attempts to do so will ruin the blade. An abrasive cut-off wheel and mounting plates can be provided for ferrous metals, but the advantage of the nearly burr-free cut is not provided with it! Abrasive wheels generate both heat and some degree of burr at the cut. The speed of the saw is designed for the fine tooth 3-inch blades, rather than abrasive wheels (they will work, but not at peak efficiency). The spindle speed can be changed by changing the size of the pulleys and the length of belts, in order to adjust for optimum cutting speed.

Operating Notes: The best cutting is done by allowing the saw to remove chips and clear its own path, with very light assistance on the handle. If the operator presses hard on the saw handle, attempting to make the cuts faster than the chips can be cleared from the teeth, the saw will bind, and probably break the drive belt. If the belt breaks frequently, or the shaft and pulley hubs are damaged from twisting or slipping, it means the operator(s) are forcing the cut. Train them to go just a little slower and allow the saw to make the cut at its own rate, and these problems will disappear.

Removing the belts and replacing them only requires loosening the screws that hold the saw spindle assembly to its mounting plate, and "walking" the belts off, and back on, by guiding them while turning the pulley by hand. The screws which secure the spindle assembly to the plate will not cause alignment problems if they are loosened or removed to drop the saw spindle down for belt clearance (or to replace the saw). The plastic guard around the saw can also be removed, but must be replaced before operating the saw!

Order from:
CORBIN
PO Box 2659
600 Industrial Circle
White City, OR 97503 USA