CF Washer Cutting Tool

[Paul Roberts]

I have enough old reels now that it seems it would be best to just cut my own from CF sheeting. I see washer cutting tool sets for sale but know little about them. I would assume a quality set would be needed for CF? Recommendations? Or... what should I expect to pay for a set?

[RowdyW]

I bought a set on ebay a couple of years ago from Anytime Tools. It has 1 punch with 13 interchangeable cutters from 3/16 to 1 3/8. It works great & cuts clean. It was under $40 a couple of years ago so probably is a little more now.       Rudy

[Tiddlerbasher]

I've been using these for years:





No dust no fuss - they just work
There is lots of variants of these available.

[Paul Roberts]

Thanks, guys.

I see CF isn't necessarily cheap. And, what is considered "reel drag grade"? Does it have to be Carbontex?

[RowdyW]

There are different grades from ok to best. Carbontex from Dawn is the best. SmoothDrag has the only true Carbontex.

[ReelClean]

Search Boehm punches,they do concentric washers (one whack, one perfect washer!).  You can buy a basic kit and add single punches in the sizes you need.  I have coverage from 2 to 50mm in 2mm in a single kit and have been adding the 1mm size increments as needed.  Not cheap, but goes through everything carbon up to 1.5mm thick (and that gets to be hard going!)
cheers
Steve

[Donnyboat]

For cutting, I find a scribe is the best, leave one point round & sharpen the other like a chisel, unless your going to make lots & lots, its not worth the xspence, cheers Don.

[Paul Roberts]

Steve, the Boehm sets are pretty nifty. But they are pricey.

Don, do you mean like a glass cutting scribe? Not sure what you are referring to.

[oc1]

Like machinist's dividers..... I think he means.
https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=yJQ5XtoU&id=CE440BE3B5FEF1E7EB8142C661743BF0C70B429B&thid=OIP.yJQ5XtoUnhvjk7VDNcLn3gHaHa&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fak1.ostkcdn.com%2fimages%2fproducts%2f11638147%2fGeneral-450-6-Flat-Leg-Machinists-Divider-b489a08a-2526-4b5a-af2a-06639f8d2f79_600.jpg&cdnurl=https%3a%2f%2fth.bing.com%2fth%2fid%2fR.c894395eda149e1be393b54335c2e7de%3frik%3dm0ILx%252fA7dGHGQg%26pid%3dImgRaw&exph=600&expw=600&q=machinist%27s+divider&simid=608000415272349107&FORM=IRPRST&ck=8FD28C299D5391AA34FD46DBA8D2F185&selectedIndex=0&idpp=overlayview&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0

[philaroman]

was thinking this might work for limited range of sizes:
https://www.harborfreight.com/carbide-tip-adjustable-circle-cutter-68117.html?_br_psugg_q=carbide+hole+cutter
waiting to see one in-store...  or review from AT member   

[oldmanjoe]

          Copper pipe and tube fitting `s  work well .     Drift punch will cut center holes and mechanic  sockets can be used to help center up the punch!!!

[Paul Roberts]

Wow, thanks all. Lots of potential options out there. Cool. Fun... Hmmmm.....

          Copper pipe and tube fitting `s  work well .     Drift punch will cut center holes and mechanic  sockets can be used to help center up the punch!!!

Joe, do you sharpen copper pipe, and use as a punch?

Since I am not going into business here, just upgrading, or replacing, drag washers, I would like an economical and capable tool/procedure. However, I find the need for metal shims on occasion so I may want to make some of those too. Thanks for all the ideas.

[oldmanjoe]

  You can file a edge if needed , or you can use ferrules.  s://www.amazon.com/200PCS-Compression-Fitting-Ferrule-Assortment/dp/B0965QWMDP/ref=sr_1_7_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=Compression+Fittings+for+Plumbing&qid=1627186780&sr=8-7-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUX

          You can make a driver with a coupler and short piece of tube .   https://alantani.com/index.php?topic=24932.0

[oc1]

Good one. The little tubing ferrules would be perfect for the inside diameter.
https://www.amazon.com/200PCS-Compression-Fitting-Ferrule-Assortment/dp/B0965QWMDP/ref=sr_1_7_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=Compression+Fittings+for+Plumbing&qid=1627186780&sr=8-7-spons&psc=1

[Donnyboat]

That scribe that Steve posted, thats the one, it does`nt take long with one of them, cheers Don.