Abstract:
A tubing preparation machine is an electrically powered mechanical device housed in one convenient housing assembly. A cutoff assembly is provided that virtually eliminates the need for the reaming and deburring of the cut end of tubing and a cleaner assembly is provided that has a tubing alignment guide to accept tubing to the correct depth for cleaning while stabilizing the tubing during the cleaning process. A quick release chuck allows the operator to easily attach the correct size fitting cleaner brush. The tubing preparation machine is portable, lightweight and easily hand carried by use of a handle provided on the housing assembly cover. The tubing preparation machine provides for unparalleled, safe, convenient and efficient preparation of tubing and related fittings.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application is a continuation application of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/579,937, filed Jun. 15, 2004, by Francis Paul Fruzzetti Jr. and Robert James Frerking, included by reference herein and for which benefit of the priority date is hereby claimed. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to the cutting and cleaning of tubing and related fittings in the preparation for joining the components by soldering or other means 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Tubing and related fittings have been used for piping systems over the years. The preparation and use of tubing and related fittings in any piping system requires that the cutting and subsequent cleaning of the tubing and related fittings be done in a manner to ensure proper assembly to industry standards. In the cutting of the tubing, in many instances, the method of cutting the tubing results in a need for the reaming of the interior of the cut edge of the tubing to return it to its original inside diameter. Depending on the material being cut, the tubing may also require deburring the exterior of the cut edge to return it to its original outside diameter. 
   The most common method used today for the cutting of tubing and the cleaning of the tubing and fittings requires a time-consuming, laborious and highly repetitive procedure which can result in stress related injury to the operator. This most common method used today also results in higher overall job cost as well as higher job related disability claims. 
   The most common method used today for cutting tubing is typical of an adjustable mechanical style tubing cutter such as the Ridge Tool Company, Model 15. 
   The most common method used today for the exterior cleaning of tubing is typically by the use of sand cloth, such the William H. Harvey Company, Item No. 095705. 
   It is necessary to ream the interior and often to deburr the exterior of the tubing when using the cutting method that typically employs a cutter wheel, such as the Ridgid Model No. E-2558. A method for reaming and deburring of tubing is a hand held tool such as the Ridgid Inner-Outer Reamer No. 227. 
   The most common method used today for the interior cleaning of fittings is typically by the use of a hand held fitting brush, such as the Oatey Company, Item No. 31328. 
   In an attempt to improve upon the mechanical style tubing cutter, an abrasive is added to the tubing cutter, which allows the cleaning of the tubing during the cutting process, as illustrated in Published Patent Application No. 20030054738 A1. 
   Attempts to improve on the method for the cutting and/or cleaning of tubing is illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,449,992; 4,349,928; 5,142,825; 6,009,735; 6,014,810; 6,336,270; and 6,553,669, all of which incorporate a power source to assist in the cutting and/or cleaning process. 
   Another attempt to simplify the cutting and cleaning process is embodied in the Ridge Tool Company, Model 122 Copper Cutting and Prep Machine. 
   The adjustable mechanical style tubing cutter such as the Ridge Tool Company Model 15, relies upon the physical exertion of the operator, which is labor intensive and over time will result in repetitive stress type disability claims. In addition to being labor intensive, the mechanical method is a slow and time-consuming process. 
   The use of sand cloth for cleaning the exterior of tubing, such as the William H. Harvey Company, Model No. 095705, also relies upon the physical exertion of the operator and results in repetitive stress type injuries and disability claims. In addition to being labor intensive, the use of sand cloth is a slow and time-consuming process. 
   The use of a hand held tool for the reaming and deburring of tubing, such as the Ridge Tool Company, Model No. 227, and the use of a hand held fitting brush for cleaning the interior of fittings, such as the Oatey Company, Model No. 31328, are subject to the same problems mentioned hereinabove. 
   The idea of adding an abrasive to the mechanical style tubing cutter, as illustrated in Published Patent Application No. 20030054738 A1, greatly increases the physical exertion required of the operator over the standard mechanical style tubing cutter. The addition of an abrasive to the standard cutter merely compounds the already identified disadvantages of the mechanical style tubing cutter. 
   The attempts over the years to improve on the method for the cutting and/or cleaning of tubing by using electrically powered cutters and/or cleaners, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,449,992; 4,349,928; 5,142,825; 6,009,735; 6,014,810; 6,336,270 B1; and 6,553,669 B2, could be considered portable, but they have inherent limitations. Such tools either do not include all of the operations necessary for the preparation of the tubing and related fittings to be joined, or they are cumbersome for the operator to use. As a result they could also cause repetitive stress type injury or disability and could pose a substantial safety hazard to the operator or others in close proximity. 
   The Ridgid Model 122 Copper Cutting and Prep Machine, manufactured by the Ridge Tool Company, has improved upon some of the above referenced disadvantages. However, the Ridgid Model 122 also has inherent disadvantages: (1) weight of the unit makes portability difficult; (2) usability is restricted because the unit operates only on an alternating current power source; (3) set up of the machine requires that the unit be bolted to a bench (the Operator&#39;s Manual states, “failure to place machine on a stable bench may result in tipping and serious injury”); (4) a single on/off switch energizes the motor, which in turn drives the tubing rollers, the tubing cleaner brush, the reamer and the fitting cleaner brush, all moving simultaneously (the Operator&#39;s Manual states, “Clothing can be caught in rotating rollers or tools,” “Hand or fingers can be cut by rotating reamer,” and “Keep electrical cord away from reamer and wire brushes”); (5) the tubing is spinning during the cutting process (the Operator&#39;s Manual states, “Do not cut visibly bent tubing” and “Cutting bent tubing will result in excessive vibration, use hand cutter”); (6) since this machine uses a standard cutting wheel, the cut tubing still requires the reaming and deburring process; (7) short pieces of tubing cannot be safely cleaned by the operator because of the exposed wire wheel and the close proximity of the operator&#39;s hands to the wire wheel. This same concern applies to the reaming operation. 
   It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a lightweight, highly portable, tubing preparation machine that requires little or no setup time. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a safe, fast and accurate cutting process of tubing, which requires no reaming or deburring of the cut end of the tubing, and only minimal effort on the part of the operator, resulting in less physical fatigue to the operator and higher productivity. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a safe, fast and thorough cleaning process of tubing and fittings, requiring minimal effort on the part of the operator. 
   It is another object of the invention to have the capability of cleaning various size tubing and fittings with the ability to reverse the rotation of the cleaning brushes and therefore substantially increase the life expectancy of the cleaner brushes. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention, a tubing preparation machine is provided for the cutting and cleaning of tubing and related fittings which substantially reduces the time and physical effort required by the operator to accomplish this task. The present invention is an electrically powered (i.e., alternating current or direct current) mechanical device which provides for the cutting and cleaning of tubing and related fittings all located in one convenient and portable housing assembly. The housing assembly contains a cutoff assembly that virtually eliminates the need for the reaming and deburring of the cut end of the tubing. A cleaner assembly is also provided that has a tubing alignment guide with a concave relief and integral tubing alignment guide reliefs that accept the tubing to the correct depth for cleaning while stabilizing the tubing during the cleaning process. A quick release chuck allows the operator to easily attach the correct size fitting cleaner brush. The present invention is portable, lightweight and easily hand carried by the operator to the work site by use of a handle provided on the housing assembly cover. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a right side cut away view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the relative position of internal components while in the initial position; 
       FIG. 3  is a right side cut away view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the relative positions of internal components while in the forward moved position; 
       FIG. 4  is a left side cut away view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the relative position of internal components while in the initial position; 
       FIG. 5  is a left side cut away view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the relative positions of internal components while in the forward moved position; 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the relative position of the tubing alignment guide, the exterior tubing cleaner, the interior fitting cleaner, the cleaner motor control device and the cleaner motor directional control device; 
       FIG. 7  is a rear cut away view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the relative position of internal components; 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the cutoff assembly in the initial position; 
       FIG. 9  is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention with the cutoff assembly in the initial position, with housing assembly top removed, showing the relative position of the internal components; 
       FIG. 10  is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention of the tubing alignment guide; 
       FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention of the tubing alignment guide representing the left side of the tubing alignment guide shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention of the tubing alignment guide representing the right side of the tubing alignment guide shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention of the housing assembly cover with housing cover handle; 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective cutaway view of an embodiment of the present invention of the cutaway of the housing assembly with housing assembly top; 
       FIG. 15  is a top detail view of an embodiment of the present invention of the housing assembly top; 
       FIG. 16  is a top detail view of an embodiment of the present invention of the base plate for affixing the components which comprise the cutoff assembly; 
       FIG. 17  is a left detail view of an embodiment of the present invention of the housing assembly partition; and 
       FIG. 18  is a front detail view of an embodiment of the present invention of the cleaner cover plate. 
   

   For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, a tubing preparation machine  300 . 
     FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4  and  5  are, respectively, right and left side cut away views of an embodiment of the present invention showing the relative position of the components comprising the cutoff assembly  100  and the cleaner assembly  200 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the cutoff assembly  100  is comprised of a base plate  28  which is fabricated of metal, plastic or other suitable material, having a base plate relief  28   b  to accommodate a circular cutoff blade  22 . Circular cutoff blade  22  has peripheral chamfer cutting teeth  23  which are fabricated of tungsten carbide or other suitable material for cutting ferrous, nonferrous and other materials. 
   A guide rail sleeve  28   a  which is fabricated of metal, plastic or other suitable material is affixed by weld or other suitable method to the underside of the base plate  28 . The guide rail sleeve  28   a  is positioned on the underside of the base plate  28  at opposing corners and in parallel alignment. The guide rail sleeve  28   a  is designed for and positioned on the base plate  28  to receive a guide rail  30 , which is fabricated of metal, plastic or other suitable material, and are placed in parallel with each other, allowing the cutoff assembly  100  to move from the initial position in a forward direction then backward direction along the parallel placed guide rail  30  in the process of cutting tubing  54 . The guide rail  30  is removably affixed by means of a guide rail fastener  32  to the interior of a housing assembly  31 , which is fabricated of metal, plastic or other suitable material. Housing assembly  31  has a chip cleanout port  31   c  with a chip cleanout cover  66  which is fabricated of metal, plastic or other suitable material and is movably affixed to the housing assembly  31 , covering the chip cleanout port  31   c.    
   A cutoff motor  20  ( FIG. 4 ) is typical of a circular saw motor, such as the Milwaukee 6391-21 or other suitable motor type, with either an alternating current or a direct current power source, not shown, is mounted to the base plate  28  with the orientation of the cutoff motor  20  being perpendicular to the base plate relief  28   b  and guide rail  30 . The orientation of the cutoff motor  20  to the base plate  28  allows the cutoff blade  22  to pass unobstructed through the base plate relief  28   b  when the cutoff blade  22  is attached to a cutoff motor shaft  34  by use of a cutoff blade retainer  36 , which is fabricated of metal or other suitable material. A cutoff blade guard  26 , which is fabricated of metal, plastic or other suitable material is affixed by weld or other suitable method to a cutoff apparatus hand grip  26   a , which is fabricated of metal or other suitable material. 
   A cutoff motor control device  26   b , which is typical of a grip or button type “deadman&#39;s” switch that is activated by depressing the switch and deactivated by releasing the switch, is located within the cutoff apparatus hand grip  26   a . The cutoff blade guard  26  is affixed by weld or other suitable method to the top side of the base plate  28  in such a way that it is set parallel to and centered directly over the base plate relief  28   b.    
   A tubing fence  24  which is fabricated of metal, plastic or other suitable material, is affixed by weld or other suitable method to the top back edge of a housing assembly top  82  ( FIG. 4 ), which is fabricated of metal, plastic or other suitable material. 
   The tubing fence  24  is aligned perpendicular to the cutoff blade  22 . The housing assembly top  82  is attached to the housing assembly  31  by means of a suitable fastener  82   b  for housing assembly top  82 . The housing assembly top  82  is attached to the housing assembly  31 , housing assembly top relief  82   a  allows the cutoff blade  22  to pass parallel to and unobstructed through the housing assembly top relief  82   a  during the cutting process. 
   A chip deflector  24   a , which is fabricated of metal, plastic or other suitable material, is hollow, and is affixed by weld or other suitable method to the tubing fence  24  so as to receive unobstructed the cutoff blade  22  in its most forward position. 
   A housing assembly cover  78 , which is fabricated of metal, plastic or other suitable material, is removably affixed to the housing assembly  31  by means of a latch  78   a  and latch receiver  78   b . The housing assembly cover  78  provides protection of the exposed components of the cutting assembly during transport. In addition, the housing assembly cover  78  has storage capability for parts and accessories. 
   The cleaner assembly  200  is comprised of a cleaner motor  38 , such as a hand held reversible rotation drill motor with an integral gear box, such as the Milwaukee 0235-21, or other suitable motor type with gear reduction. Cleaner motor  38  is powered by either an alternating current or direct current power source, not shown. The cleaner motor  38  is mechanically affixed to a cleaner motor mount  40 , which is fabricated of metal, plastic or other suitable material is affixed by weld or other suitable method within the housing assembly  31 . A cleaner mounting bracket  76  which is fabricated of metal, plastic or other suitable material is affixed by weld or other suitable method within the housing assembly  31  to support the cleaner assembly  200 . 
   A cleaner motor shaft  42 , having male threads on the outboard end, passes through a cleaner shaft support  44 , which is typical of a flange type bearing. Cleaner shaft support  44  is affixed to the cleaner mounting bracket  76  by a cleaner shaft support retainer  46 . 
   An adaptor shaft  48 , which is fabricated of metal, plastic or other suitable material, has female threads on the input end and male threads on the output end, with an adaptor shaft relief  48   a  located in the output end. The adaptor shaft relief  48   a  has a bore diameter and depth of sufficient dimensions to receive a quick release chuck  52  shank, such as Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation catalog number 48-03-0005 or equivalent. The input female thread end of the adaptor shaft  48  is connected to the male threaded output end of the cleaner motor shaft  42  by screwing the two pieces together and locking them in place with a set screw  44   a . A spacer  60 , which is fabricated of metal, plastic or other suitable material is installed over the adaptor shaft  48 , followed by the placement of an exterior tubing cleaner  50  (e.g., Milwaukee Brush number 08063), followed by the placement of another spacer  60  and another exterior tubing cleaner  50  until the desired overall width of the exterior tubing cleaner  50  is obtained. 
   An exterior tubing cleaner retainer  43   a  is installed over the male threaded outboard end of the adaptor shaft  48  and must be tightened adequately to prevent any movement between the adaptor shaft  48 , the spacer  60  and the exterior tubing cleaner  50 . An interior fitting cleaner  56 , such as Ridgid Catalog No. 93722 or equivalent, is sized appropriately for the related fitting to be cleaned, and is removably installed in the quick release chuck  52 . A cleaner cover plate  68  ( FIG. 6 ) which is fabricated of metal, plastic or other suitable material, is permanently affixed by weld or other suitable method, to a safety guard  68   a , which is fabricated of metal, plastic or other suitable material and is located directly over the quick release chuck  52 . A cleaner cover plate  68  is removably affixed to the housing assembly  31  by means of a retainer  70  for cleaner cover plate  68 . 
   Referring now also to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a front view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the relative position of the tubing alignment guide  62  which is fabricated of metal, plastic or other suitable material. A series of tubing alignment guide relief  62   b  ( FIGS. 10 ,  11  and  12 ) is provided, each tubing alignment guide relief  62   b  having a predetermined depth and width to accommodate specific size tubing  54  with various wall thicknesses. Each tubing alignment guide relief  62   b  is arranged on the tubing alignment guide  62  so as to be of equal distance from the center of the adaptor shaft  48  to the closest point on their external circumferences to accept various size tubing  54  at predetermined depths. 
   The tubing alignment guide  62  is adjustably affixed to a cleaner mounting bracket  76  ( FIG. 4 ) by using an alignment guide retainer  64  which is placed through the tubing alignment guide adjustment relief  62   a . The tubing alignment guide adjustment relief  62   a  allows for any adjustment needed to maintain the proper clearance between the tubing alignment guide  62  and the exterior tubing cleaner  50 . 
   A cleaner motor control device  72  and a cleaner motor directional control device  74 , which are typical of a two position electrical rocker switch or equivalent, are removably affixed into switch cutout  31   b  located in the housing assembly  31 , and are electrically connected in series between the power source, not shown, and the cleaner motor  38 . The cleaner cover plate  68  ( FIG. 18 ) having a safety guard  68   a , is installed over the quick release chuck  52  ( FIG. 5 ). The cleaner cover plate  68  is removably affixed to housing assembly  31  by means of the retainer for cleaner cover plate  70 . 
   Referring now also to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a rear cutaway view of an embodiment of the present invention having a housing assembly partition  86 , which is fabricated of metal, plastic or other suitable material and is permanently affixed by weld or other suitable method within the housing assembly  31 . The placement relationship is shown of the housing assembly partition  86 , the cutoff motor  20 , the cutoff motor shaft  34  and the cutoff blade  22 . 
     FIG. 8  is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the cutoff assembly  100  in the initial position. 
     FIG. 9  is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention with the cutoff assembly  100  in the initial position, with a portion of the cutoff blade guard  26  removed and the housing assembly top  82  removed, showing the placement relationship of the base plate  28 , the guide rail  30 , the housing assembly partition  86  and the cleaner assembly  200  within the housing assembly  31 . 
     FIG. 10  is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention of the tubing alignment guide  62 , showing the tubing alignment guide adjustment relief  62   a , the tubing alignment guide relief  62   b  and a concave relief  62   c.    
     FIGS. 11 and 12  are cross sectional views of an embodiment of the present invention of the tubing alignment guide  62  showing the predetermined depths of the various tubing alignment guide relief  62   b  to accommodate various size (i.e., diameter) tubing  54 . 
     FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the housing assembly cover  78 , with a housing cover handle  80 , which is fabricated of metal, plastic or other suitable material, affixed by weld or other suitable method to the top of the housing assembly cover  78 . The housing cover handle  80  facilitates easy portability of the tubing preparation machine  300 . A latch  78   a  which is fabricated of metal, plastic or other suitable material is affixed by weld or other suitable method to the housing assembly cover  78  at appropriate locations. A latch receiver  78   b  which is fabricated of metal, plastic or other suitable material is affixed by weld or other suitable method to the housing assembly  31  at appropriate locations to correspond to the locations of each latch  78   a  on the housing assembly cover  78 . 
     FIG. 14  is a perspective cutaway view of an embodiment of the housing assembly  31 , the housing assembly partition  86 , and the housing assembly top  82 . The housing assembly  31  has a cleaner cutout  31   a  for the cleaner assembly  200 , a dual switch cutout  31   b  for the cleaner motor control device  72  and the cleaner motor directional control device  74 , and a chip cleanout port  31   c . The housing assembly  31  has circular openings  58  of sufficient size and number to accommodate the guide rail fastener  32 . The housing assembly top  82  has circular openings  58  of sufficient size and number to accommodate affixing the housing assembly top  82  to the housing assembly  31  by use of the fastener for housing assembly top  82   b.    
     FIG. 15  is a top detail of the housing assembly top  82  having a 90 degree break along its perimeter ( FIG. 14 ). The 90 degree break is of sufficient width to allow the housing assembly top  82  to be secured to the housing assembly  31  by means of the fastener for housing assembly top  82   b.    
     FIG. 16  is a top detail of the base plate  28  having a base plate relief  28   b  showing the relative position of the parallel placed guide rail sleeve  28   a  that is affixed to the underside of the base plate  28 . 
     FIG. 17  is a left detail of the housing assembly partition  86  showing the housing assembly partition relief  86   a.    
     FIG. 18  is a front detail of the cleaner cover plate  68  showing the relative position of the safety guard  68   a  and the cleaner cover plate cutout  68   b , which is of approximate size to pass over the quick release chuck  52  ( FIG. 5 ) and the circular openings  58  which are located at opposing corners on the cleaner cover plate  68  which are of sufficient size to accommodate the retainer for cleaner cover plate  68  ( FIG. 6 ). 
   In the operation of the present invention, the tubing preparation machine  300  is portable and easily transported to the work area by use of the housing cover handle  80  which is attached to the housing assembly cover  78 , which is in turn attached to the housing assembly  31  by use of the latch  78   a  and the latch receiver  78   b . Once the tubing preparation machine  300  is at the work location the latch  78   a  is disengaged from the latch receiver  78   b , allowing the housing assembly cover  78  to be removed from the housing assembly  31  and set aside. The tubing preparation machine  300  is then attached to the appropriate power source, not shown. The tubing  54  that is to be cut is placed on the housing assembly top  82  and held firmly against the face of the tubing fence  24  with the operator&#39;s left hand, not shown. The top edge of the tubing fence  24  has been designed to angle toward the operator to increase the stability of the tubing  54  during the cutting process. 
   In the initial position of the cutting assembly, the operator&#39;s right hand grips the cutoff apparatus hand grip  26   a  and then actuates the cutoff motor control device  26   b , which electrically energizes the cutoff motor  20 , resulting in turning of the cutoff motor shaft  34 . The cutoff motor shaft  34  which passes through the housing assembly partition  86  by way of the housing assembly partition relief  86   a , allows for the unobstructed travel of the cutoff assembly  100  from its initial position to its most forward position during the cutting process, while at the same time the housing assembly partition  86  confines chips produced in the cutting process to be contained in the chip containment area  31   d . The cutoff blade  22  is attached to the cutoff motor shaft  34  by use of the cutoff blade retainer  36 . When the cutoff motor  20  is energized, the cutoff blade  22  is set into rotation. Once the cutoff blade  22  has reached its operating speed in revolutions per minute, then a forward pressure is applied with the operator&#39;s right hand, not shown, to the cutoff apparatus hand grip  26   a , advancing the cutoff assembly  100  in a forward direction. 
   The cutoff assembly  100  then travels along the guide rail  30  by means of the guide rail sleeve  28   a , affixed to the underside of the base plate  28 . The cutoff assembly  100  moves in a precise and parallel alignment with the housing assembly top relief  82   a  and the guide rail  30  to the forward position engaging the tubing  54  and continuing through tubing  54  to the full forward position and severing the tubing  54 . During the cutting process the cutoff blade guard  26  passes over the tubing  54  to be cut, while guarding the operator from the cutoff blade  22  and any chips being produced. Also during the cutting process the chip deflector  24   a , which is attached to the back side of the tubing fence  24  and in direct alignment with the path of the cutoff blade  22 , directs chips into the chip containment area  31   d . Once the tubing  54  has been severed, the operator releases the cutoff motor control device  26   b  allowing the cutoff blade  22  to stop rotating. Once the cutoff blade  22  has stopped rotating, the operator applies a rearward pressure to the cutoff apparatus hand grip  26   a  returning the cutoff assembly  100  to its initial position. The cutting operation of the tubing  54  is then complete. 
   Once the tubing  54  has been cut the next step is to clean the exterior surface of the selected piece of tubing  54 . The operator starts the cleaner assembly  200  by actuating the cleaner motor control device  72  to the ON position which electrically energizes the cleaner motor  38  turning the cleaner motor shaft  42 . The cleaner motor  38  is attached to the housing assembly  31  by means of cleaner motor mount  40 . The cleaner motor shaft  42  passes through the cleaner shaft support  44  which is attached to the cleaner mounting bracket  76 , and is connected to the adaptor shaft  48 , which in turn rotates the exterior tubing cleaner  50  and the quick release chuck  52 . The operator grasps the selected piece of tubing  54  to be cleaned and inserts one end into the corresponding tubing alignment guide relief  62   b  of the tubing alignment guide  62  to the full depth of the tubing alignment guide relief  62   b . The operator then rotates the grasped piece of tubing  54  in the opposite direction of the rotation of the exterior tubing cleaner  50  a minimum of one revolution of the tubing  54 . The tubing  54  is then withdrawn from the tubing alignment guide  62  and the other end of the tubing  54  is cleaned in the same manner. Lengths of tubing  54  as short as twice the diameter of the tubing  54  can be cleaned. 
   Once all the desired pieces of tubing  54  are cleaned, the operator actuates the cleaner motor control device  72  to the OFF position deenergizing the cleaner motor  38  and bringing the cleaner assembly  200  to a stop. For cleaning the needed fittings, the operator can select the appropriate interior fitting cleaner  56  that corresponds to the size of the fitting to be cleaned. The interior fitting cleaner  56  is inserted into the quick release chuck  52 . The operator then actuates the cleaner motor control device  72 , which energizes the cleaner motor  38 , which in turn rotates the interior fitting cleaner  56 . While the interior fitting cleaner  56  is rotating the operator grasps the appropriate fitting, not shown, and slides the fitting over the interior fitting cleaner  56  to the full depth of the fitting socket. The fitting is momentarily held in that position and then removed from the interior fitting cleaner  56 . Once all the desired fittings are cleaned, the operator actuates the cleaner motor control device  72  to the OFF position deenergizing the cleaner motor  38  and bringing the cleaner assembly  200  to a stop. 
   In the operation of the present invention a field adjustment may be made to maintain the required clearance between the tubing alignment guide  62  and the exterior tubing cleaner  50 . This is accomplished by loosening each of the alignment guide retainer  64  which allows the tubing alignment guide  62  to move within the tubing alignment guide adjustment relief  62   a , allowing the operator to make the necessary adjustments. Once the proper clearance is set, each alignment guide retainer  64  is tightened to hold the tubing alignment guide  62  in place. Occasionally, depending on the amount of usage of the cutoff assembly  100 , the chip containment area  31   d  can be emptied of chips by loosening the chip cleanout cover  66  allowing the chips to be removed through the chip cleanout port  31   c.    
   Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. 
   Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.