Tube notcher suggestions for home shop

Truckin222 · Jan 11, 2021

I'm looking for a tube notcher.
Budget is definitely a consideration but I am leery of the harbor freight things...
It will be used at least at first for smaller projects, tube doors, adding to an existing cage, bumpers etc.
A full cage/chassis may be in the future but not any time real soon.

I have only ever used a JD2 notcher about 15 years ago to build my ugly ass exo cage so that's my reference point.
I am looking at maybe getting another one of these but wanted some feedback from you guys with more experience.

I do like that Swag seems to have adressed some of the shortcomings of the JD2 we had back in the day.

SWAG JD2 Notch Master "GOAT"

"The Goat" Created For The JD² Notch Master & JD² Beast Notchers A simple clip on magnetic upgrade for your JD² Notchmaster, JD² Beast, or the Woodward Fab notcher WFN-6, that instantly adds much needed versatility that is currently lacking on your tubing notcher... Notching on a bend. If you...

www.swagoffroad.com

Any help would be appreciated.

If this has been discussed here recently, sorry. I tried to search but it was all really old posts...

whiskeymakin · Jan 11, 2021

Ive ran the hell out of my JMR notcher. Its probably not the best thing out, but i have no complaints. Its notched a lot of tube!
Only issue id address is the drgree numbers in the black anodized piece are hard to see, after a few hundred notches the numbers are almost not visible at all now from moving it around with metal chips ground up in it. Not a huge deal, just hard to see.

EddieHall · Jan 11, 2021

Versa notcher by far the best I've used

ToyotaTom · Jan 11, 2021

I really like my ProTools notcher. The JD Notch Master looks awesome too.

fatjeepguy300 · Jan 12, 2021

buildcotools.com offers a well built , made in U.S.A. notcher seems to work well and is heavy duty

617_Racing · Jan 12, 2021

I got some woodward fab one to start with because it was cheap. It didn't last long.

Been using my Versa notcher for a few years now with no issue.

JEEPKEVIN · Jan 12, 2021

I have that JD2 notcher with the Swag Goat Foot and the Reach Around. This combo allows you to really some crazy deep angle notches, just break off material part way through when using normal short hole saws. The Goat Foot helps when putting notches in bends.

This notcher also holds flat stock, square tube. Really helped when I made motor mounts for my tube chassis. I have been able to pretty much figure out any kind of notch I have come across. I would buy this combo again.

I have also attached this notcher to the chassis to do my final cuts or to add intersection points.

Truckin222 · Jan 12, 2021

Thanks for all the input.
That Versa notcher looks sweet.
The JD2 with the goat and the reach around

are basically the same price as the versa.
As listed the capabilities seem similar also.
Anyone have experience with both?
Preference or pros/cons to either one?

kennyjeeper · Jan 12, 2021

Build Co Tool has a nice one.

EddieHall · Jan 12, 2021

I have both i i use the versa more then the jd i like being able to cut at any angle the versa will allow you to cut some the spin around and cut without turing the pipe works great on funky bends

Lil ugly · Jan 12, 2021

I have the pro tools one as well. While it is a quality piece of equipment, it does not do notches in bends which I think is a point against it. I have been looking at getting a different notcher that will work on bends etc so I this thread is great tech i think.

Truckin222 · Jan 12, 2021

Yeah, the build co guillotine notcher looks really nice, but at $550 it's getting a bit above my budget.
The pro tools one looks a lot like the JD2 I used, and not being able to notch near a bend was a PIA.
Also the limited angle of notch made it less usable IMO....

GLTHFJ60 · Jan 13, 2021

No direct experience (use my milling machine) but the RogueFab Versa Notcher looks real nice too:

VersaNotcher - Universal Tubing & Pipe Notcher | Rogue Fabrication

Easy angle adjustment (w/metal cam locks) - make extremely precise cuts (angle adjustment of 225 degrees) Clamps and notches on a bend, unlike basic tube notchers Can notch wider variety of materials than other tube notchers Precision ACME thread vise lead screw for superior performance Made...

www.roguefab.com