Angling for a Better Notch

Many in the fencing industry are familiar with long-time industry partner Vogel Tool & Die. Their pipe notcher, invented in 1934 is a staple in many shops and is used worldwide.

While the original hand-operated process, known as the Arc-Fit method for notching a pipe end for a 90° joint is still in use today, other less-known Vogel tools can have a significant impact on improving manufacturing processes and helping a fencer’s bottom line.

One of those tools, according to Larry Siegal, sales manager with Vogel Tool & Die, is their Arc-Fit Angular pipe notching tool.

“Prior to Vogel’s invention, time-consuming grinding or torch cutting was the most common method to notch pipes or tubes to prepare for joining,” explains Siegal. “While the first tool that started the company over 80 years ago was for the most common 90° notch, pipes needing to be welded at other angles remained a challenge. We expanded our product line to include angular notching tools to resolve that issue. We consider this a ‘hidden gem’ of a tool because there is no other reliable way to produce the notch quickly and consistently.”

Vogel’s Arc-Fit Angular is often used for notching pipes for handrails or when a cross brace is needed for large chain link fence panels & gate. Siegal hears from many fencers who are still torch cutting or grinding the pipe end to create the angle, but this often results in a sloppy, inaccurate notch requiring additional welding work to attach. He explains that this means more time required for completion and less than professional looking results. “Our tool completes the notch in under 10 seconds and its consistent and correct each time. We hear back from so many customers who are thrilled at how quickly the tool works. Frankly, many are upset that they had not heard about our angled notching tools sooner,” Siegal says.

Vogel’s angled notching tools are dedicated to specific tube sizes and angles, but the housings can be reused when a different angle is required. Each tool is spring loaded for easy set-up. The notching process is fast and easy. A slug is produced, not chips, so no secondary handling for chip removal is required.

Siegal says Vogel also builds custom tools for specialized part applications, such as notching a tube to fit a different size tube or notching with an extra drain hole for gates that will be hot-dipped galvanized after welding. Vogel also offers a bench-top hydraulic press to power their Arc-Fit Angular tools and many other Vogel tools such as pressing metal pickets, piercing channel or tubing for horizontal rails of ornamental fences and more

Vogel’s tube and pipe notchers are proudly American-made and in use worldwide. Learn more at www.vogeltool.com.