Tubing tool problems

[TrentonMaple]

So I welded up two tubing tools, a 5/16th tool and a 3/16. I tried to follow the pics that I have seen on here, and used vice grips with rod couplings welded into the jaws. They looked really nice, and I painted them up. This weekend I went out to put in some drops, and neither of them worked. They could not push the tubing onto the fittings no matter how hard I squeezed. I actually used so much force the handles flexed and bent. I still couldn't even get the tubing started onto the fitting.

I stepped back and tried to review to see what I might have done wrong. Here are some issues, I'm not sure how much each may factor.

1. My alignment of the two sets of jaws/couplers is not super precise. They are canted slightly to each other when they are held up parallel to each other.

2. My "handles" are made from 1/8" rolled steel, which in retrospect seems to flimsy and light. It buckles and flexes easily.

3. My handles are not long enough. On the 5/16th tool they are 18" long, and 16" on the 3/16th. I might not be getting enough leverage.

Anyone have any suggestions as to which of these might be my problem? Or are there common pitfalls in tubing tool construction that I'm missing?

http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y502/TrentonMaples/IMG_9363_zps638b400d.jpg (http://s1278.photobucket.com/user/TrentonMaples/media/IMG_9363_zps638b400d.jpg.html)

http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y502/TrentonMaples/tubingtooldiagram_zpsf3e4813e.jpg (http://s1278.photobucket.com/user/TrentonMaples/media/tubingtooldiagram_zpsf3e4813e.jpg.html)

[Bucket Head]

Did you remove (machine or die-grind) half the threads from the rod coupler nuts? There has to be "room' for the fitting to slide into.

Steve

[TrentonMaple]

yes, I drilled out half the threads. But come to think of it, I might not have drilled it out enough and created enough room to fit the tubing AND the fitting. Thanks, I'll try that.

[wurmdert]

im building a 3/16 tool... what size rod coupling did you use. I havnt got my tubing yet so im not sure??

[RiverSap]

I made a similar tubing tool and had the same kind of problems. I need to do some adjusting but have not gotten around to it. I will post some pictures later this week of what I have. Do you have any pictures? I am thinking of welding a second threaded coupling onto the first to give a longer slot for the tubing so that it does not bend as pressure is applied. I did not drill out half of it more the the other half. I first wanted to try it where the whole coupling gripped the tubing. Did not work. The tubing flexed as did the clamp jaws.

[lakeview maple]

I had the same problem with the ones I built , I took them apart and redrilled the coupler nut out and it worked fine, make sure to file off any sharp edges on the coupler nut or it will cut the tubing when you clamp it down. Hope this helps Allen10722

[maple flats]

You want to drill the threads out half way thru the half coupling to 1/2" for the 5/16 tubing. This is far better done before splitting it into 2 halves. Just guessing, but I think you want the 3/16 tool drilled to 3/8" (2/16" or 1/8" smaller than the 5/16 tool. It might be hard to drill after splitting the coupling.

[TrentonMaple]

When I got home tonight I made a few changes. I drilled out the couplers to fit the expanded tubing and fittings - this helped a great deal, and was probably the main issue.

I also got rid of the 1/8" handles and put on 1/4" stock, 36" long in a scissor-configuration. The leverage is much better and now I can seat the T's easily.

Thanks for the help!

[Paul VT]

im building a 3/16 tool... what size rod coupling did you use. I havnt got my tubing yet so im not sure??
3/8 coupling nuts. Cut them in half then you will need to grind the area you cut some to allow them to close tighter.

[wurmdert]

Thank you very much

[Sapcat]

Would you post some close-up photos of the tool? I would like to make one. Thanks.

[Moser's Maple]

Would you post some close-up photos of the tool? I would like to make one. Thanks.
http://www.sugarbush.info/forums/home-built-maple-equipment/226-my-two-handed-tubing-tool.html

http://www.sugarbush.info/forums/tubing-tapping-vacuum-systems/2546-two-handed-tubing-tool.html

[eustis22]

One of my tubing clamps on my Lapierre 2 hander (3/16") is no longer snugging down tightly...I have moved the screws all around but still it's a little loose....any ideas?

[Bricklayer]

http://www.sugarbush.info/forums/home-built-maple-equipment/226-my-two-handed-tubing-tool.html

http://www.sugarbush.info/forums/tubing-tapping-vacuum-systems/2546-two-handed-tubing-tool.html

I used these plans and built one a couple weeks ago

Things I changed
- used lengths of cold rolled steel instead of the bolts. Used a little bit of oil on them to to help with friction
- increased the angle on the handle to 165 degrees give you more torque
- welded the one end of the rolled steel to the nuts to keep it from sliding around
- installed an adjustable stopper to keep it from closing to much and making it easier to align with tubing
- drilled out my coupler nuts then cut them in half, used an old tee with tubing on it to make sure I left enough room. Used a dremel tool to make slight adjustments.
- tested it on tubing under tension and made sure that tubing didn't slide out. Had to grind down a little to make it tighter

I plan on installing some springs on both the slides and one that keeps the tool from opening up to much when the tubing is cut. And if I can come up with a way to install a knife or apparatus to cut the tubing that would be awesome. When I went all the way into the bush to test it I clipped the tool on the tubing and noticed I forgot the cutters.
When I find my pics I will post them

[MunsterMapler]

15376
I made a set from those drawings, and they worked out perfect. It's unreal how companies cahrge so much money for 2 handed tools