How to cut a steerer tube

Fenred
Fenred Posts: 428
edited May 2011 in MTB workshop & tech
I know there have been topics on this before but I'm struggling to find the threads :evil:

Can anyone paste up a link please? Alternatively, best advice/technique appreciated.

Thanks
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Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    with a guide and a good blade.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
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  • Fenred
    Fenred Posts: 428
    edited April 2011
    Ta nick, very useful :?
  • Johnny Napalm
    Johnny Napalm Posts: 1,458
    Saw guides are a must. I've tried sawing seatposts etc. without a guide in the past, but since buying a guide I've never looked back. They're not too expensive either.
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  • Fenred
    Fenred Posts: 428
    Cheers Johnny, anything brand specific you'd recommend? Could you suggest saw/blades at all?
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    If alloy then pipe cutters also work well and avoid the need for saws and guides.
  • paul20v
    paul20v Posts: 267
    saw guide :?
    whats wrong with just cutting straight with a hacksaw .
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Cut plenty of tubes, alloy,steel and carbon, with a junior hacksaw and a bit of care.
    A fresh new blade makes the most difference.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

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  • Johnny Napalm
    Johnny Napalm Posts: 1,458
    A guide enables me to do it while drunk.
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  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    We have a (no longer used) guide in the shop which makes every cut wonky, we now do them using an old stem.
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    An old pipe cutter scribes a nice straight line.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

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  • pastey_boy
    pastey_boy Posts: 2,083
    a cheap guide is to get two 10mm or 15mm aheadset spacers slide them onto the steerer so the join between them is over the cut you want to make then get some electrical tape and tightly tape both ends of the spacers in place leaving the join uncovered then just saw between the two spacers, there's just enough give in the tape to allow the hacksaw blade to separate the two spacers yet maintain a straight cut. works perfectly and cheap as chips.
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  • paul20v
    paul20v Posts: 267
    A guide enables me to do it while drunk.
    :lol::lol:
  • Fenred
    Fenred Posts: 428
    Cheers for the input all.

    I'm liking the old stem / spacers idea's :lol:

    Will get a new blade on the old hacksaw and give it a shot....
  • specialeyes
    specialeyes Posts: 542
    Oh and measure 10 times cut once :D then you won't end up with a short steerer like me! :oops: :wink:
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    There's no need to cut the steerer perfectly straight. The stem has to be above the top of the steerer and the top cap rests on the stem. Just mark the approximate position with masking tape and saw away.

    In fact, you don't even need a top cap or a headset adjuster but that's another story.
  • RobJ20
    RobJ20 Posts: 48
    I just stick it all on the bike, scratch a mark then cut a little below that, none of my steerers are cut perfectly straight never made the slightest difference.
  • forgotrafe
    forgotrafe Posts: 637
    Wrap a piece of paper round the stem aligning the edge with itself. Providing the paper edge was machine cut, it'll be perfectly square. Then cut with a hacksaw - remembering you don't have to cut all the way through without turning the forks round! Lots of little cuts on the line will join up to make one big cut!

    I've done it this way and I've also done it with a pipe cutter (alloy steerer). Both worked well.
  • Fenred
    Fenred Posts: 428
    .blitz wrote:
    There's no need to cut the steerer perfectly straight.

    Hmmm, this crossed my mind too as the spacers or stem sit proud of the top of the steerer. I'm guessing getting a straight (ish) cut helps when banging in the SFN though?? :?
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    Straight-ish will be fine but there's no need for laser-guided hacksaws or special tools etc :)
  • pipe cutter best way and easiest way to cut one
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  • gtd.
    gtd. Posts: 626
    +1 pipe cutter if alloy

    I Have a nice SP one, used it on seat posts and bars too 8)
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  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    But a laser guided hacksaw would be feel really pro.
    Maybe a plasma cutter.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

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  • paul20v
    paul20v Posts: 267
    cooldad wrote:
    But a laser guided hacksaw would be feel really pro.
    Maybe a plasma cutter.
    I have a plasma cutter they dont like cutting alloy as tidy as steel :D
  • Johnny Napalm
    Johnny Napalm Posts: 1,458
    I also have the straightest sliced carrots you've ever seen.
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  • diy
    diy Posts: 6,473
    +1 for pipe cutter, you just take your time and turn the blade screw a little slower than for a copper pipe.
  • red eye
    red eye Posts: 264
    a few layers of masking tape around were you want to cut, with a pen mark out a guide and with a hack saw cut it off.

    or my way use an angle grinder :D

    disclaimer only use an angle grinder if you know how to use one if you like to keep your fingers, knees or nose
  • ratty2k
    ratty2k Posts: 3,872
    As has been mentioned, learn to use a hacksaw and cut straight? Not hard....
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  • Johnny Napalm
    Johnny Napalm Posts: 1,458
    Soon you'll be able to do it without a hacksaw, if you practice hard enough.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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    SS Inbred
    Mongoose Teocali Super
  • red eye
    red eye Posts: 264
    Soon you'll be able to do it without a hacksaw, if you practice hard enough.
    How? With your teeth?
  • Johnny Napalm
    Johnny Napalm Posts: 1,458
    How? With your teeth?

    Evolution! :wink:
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