Patent ID: 7653997

Claim:
A method for performing a cutting operation on a tube bank, comprising the steps of: connecting a guide rail to a section of a tube bank adjacent an area of the tube bank to be cut; operatively mounting a carriage assembly on the guide rail; connecting a cutting device to a hinge bracket of the carriage assembly, wherein the hinge bracket is rotatable in relation to an axis; moving the carriage assembly to a first position on the guide rail while an operator supports weight of the cutting device; removing operator support from the cutting device and forming a friction fit in a second position between a surface of the guide rail and a surface of the carriage assembly with the weight of the cutting device which substantially prevents linear movement of the carriage assembly on the guide rail; and performing a cutting operation on a portion of the tube bank with the cutting device whereby a cutting motion is produced with the cutting device by rotating the hinge bracket in relation to said axis while the friction fit is present between the surface of the guide rail and the surface of the carriage assembly.