So what's the easiest way to square off this pipe?

[FTG-05]

I have this piece of pipe, roughly the size of a 55 gallon barrel that was rough-cut with a torch. I need to square the ends off so I can design and build my shop wood stove.

Although it can't be seen in the pics below, there is about an inch or 1 1/4" gap on one end, I believe that's about the worse part.

The piece is about a 1/4" thick and weighs 75-100 lbs. I have a grinder, abrasive saw, bandsaw and air grinder/cutoff tool. No torch or plasma cutter (I wish).

Any ideas for squaring this off?

Thanks,

 

[aczlan]

How close to square do you need to get?

Aaron Z

 

[LD1]

Nothing is going to be "easy" with what you have to work with.

I would likely start by cutting the endcaps. (assuming you are capping the ends). But cut the circles so that they fit INSIDE the pipe. Square them up with the lowest point. (you should have that extra ~1-1/4" sticking out on the high side.)

Once the end is welded in, and true/square, you can trim the extra off using the end cap for a guide. A torch would be great for that and then clean up with a grinder. But if you dont have access to a torch, or a friend that has one, You could do it with other methods.

 

[Shield Arc]

Run down to the local automotive supply store, and buy a roll of gasket material. Use it like a large wrap-around.

 

[FTG-05]

How close to square do you need to get?

Aaron Z

Good question. I'd say at least within a 1/4" or less. I don't want to spend the $$$ and money on welding and welding wire to fill the gap.

Nothing is going to be "easy" with what you have to work with.

I would likely start by cutting the endcaps. (assuming you are capping the ends). But cut the circles so that they fit INSIDE the pipe. Square them up with the lowest point. (you should have that extra ~1-1/4" sticking out on the high side.)

Once the end is welded in, and true/square, you can trim the extra off using the end cap for a guide. A torch would be great for that and then clean up with a grinder. But if you dont have access to a torch, or a friend that has one, You could do it with other methods.

For the end caps, I want to use square 1/4" steel; I really didn't want to spend time making a circles out of 1/4" plate. But if that's going to be easier than squaring off the pipe, I'm open to it.

 

[CalG]

Wrap it

Mark it good

Start in with the side grinder

Done in an hour ;-)

Wear ear protection!

 

[aczlan]

If I wanted to make the cut or the end square with the pipe, I would make a alignment tool that would fit snugly inside the pipe and hold a circle (be it one of steel or plywood) square with the pipe so that I could mark it and then cut it off.
Below is a picture of what I would make. The first piece is a piece of plywood cut with so that the width matches the ID of the pipe and the center notch is as wide as the plywood is thick. You would cut two of them, then fit the notches together to make an X (as seen in the lower part of the picture).

Aaron Z

 

[LD1]

Without a torch, there is not an easy way IMO. It basically comes down to how to mark it, and then cutting it on the mark.

Wrapping it with something as others mentioned is going to be one of the easiest ways to mark.

As for cutting the ends round like I mentioned, again, tricky without a torch. IF you already have square pieces, then you are left with squaring off the tube. IF you havent got the steel yet, wherever you plan to source it from, I would inquire about getting circles instead of square plate just to see what the cost difference would be. IF not much, I think that is how I would do it.

 

[arrow]

I'd think of a way I could rotate the barrel in a fixed point such as roller bearings provide . Affix a sawzall to a post or vice and rotate the barrel into the cut. I don't think this is gonna work as the sawzall will vibrate free more than likely. Perhaps its a two man job with someone holding the sawzall in its containment while someone rotates the barrel. Perhaps my stupid idea will give you one as well.

 

[LD1]

I'd think of a way I could rotate the barrel in a fixed point such as roller bearings provide . Affix a sawzall to a post or vice and rotate the barrel into the cut. I don't think this is gonna work as the sawzall will vibrate free more than likely. Perhaps its a two man job with someone holding the sawzall in its containment while someone rotates the barrel. Perhaps my stupid idea will give you one as well.

A roller jig like that would be awesome if he had access to a torch. Last I checked, my torches didnt vibrate:laughing: