"Lobster" wrote in message
...
I've finally decided to enter the 21st century and give microbore copper
tube a go for some radiators I need to install.

I've just run a couple of lengths of the stuff roughly in place, between
radiator and supply/feed pipes below the floorboards which has
involved some bending around curves etc; next I need to cut off the free
ends to the exact length before connecting them to the rad/pipework.
(I'm using 15-10mm reducers in the TRVs/LSVs, ie compression fittings;
and 15-10mm Yorkshire fittings to the pipework).

Now clearly this stuff deforms extremely easily, but I'm mindful that I
need a perfectly circular section at the tips or my joints won't work.
I've bought one of these gizmos so it will cut cleanly:
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...21946&ts=05537 but am
wondering about where it's been bent and straightened eg to get round
corners. Is there a way of protecting the ends or something, to stop
them getting deformed during installation? Or am I worrying over much?

Would welcome input from anyone who's experienced with the stuff!

David

====================
I've used 8mm for many years (10mm is similar but less fragile) without any
problems. It helps greatly if you use a spring to unroll / straighten the
tube. In case you're not aware of microbore springs they LOOK like this:

http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp...Bending-Spring

Mine has a funnel at one end and obviously it goes over the tube rather than
inside. I THINK that 'Tooled-up' might have their pictures mixed upbecause
I've never seen a 15mm external spring. It would be worth a call to find out
what 'tooled-up' are actually offering.

I've got a couple of cutters similar to the one you're showing and I've
found them completely useless, perhaps because of poor quality manufacture.
I always use a standard pipe cutter - the one with the round knob on the
end. In the distant past I believe that a mini hacksaw was the recommended
method of cutting because it doesn't close up the end of the pipe but I've
never had any problems with the standard cutter.

Cic.