How to cut a steerer tube

Fenred

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

nicklouse

with a guide and a good blade.

Fenred

Ta nick, very useful :?

Johnny Napalm

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.

Fenred

Cheers Johnny, anything brand specific you'd recommend? Could you suggest saw/blades at all?

ride_whenever

If alloy then pipe cutters also work well and avoid the need for saws and guides.

paul20v

saw guide :?
whats wrong with just cutting straight with a hacksaw .

cooldad

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.

Johnny Napalm

A guide enables me to do it while drunk.

ride_whenever

We have a (no longer used) guide in the shop which makes every cut wonky, we now do them using an old stem.

cooldad

An old pipe cutter scribes a nice straight line.

pastey_boy

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.

paul20v

Johnny Napalm wrote:

A guide enables me to do it while drunk.

Fenred

Cheers for the input all.

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

Will get a new blade on the old hacksaw and give it a shot....

specialeyes

Oh and measure 10 times cut once then you won't end up with a short steerer like me! :oops:

.blitz

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

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

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

.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

Straight-ish will be fine but there's no need for laser-guided hacksaws or special tools etc

cloudynights

pipe cutter best way and easiest way to cut one

gtd.

+1 pipe cutter if alloy

I Have a nice SP one, used it on seat posts and bars too 8)

cooldad

But a laser guided hacksaw would be feel really pro.
Maybe a plasma cutter.

paul20v

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

Johnny Napalm

I also have the straightest sliced carrots you've ever seen.

diy

+1 for pipe cutter, you just take your time and turn the blade screw a little slower than for a copper pipe.

red eye

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

disclaimer only use an angle grinder if you know how to use one if you like to keep your fingers, knees or nose

ratty2k

As has been mentioned, learn to use a hacksaw and cut straight? Not hard....

Johnny Napalm

Soon you'll be able to do it without a hacksaw, if you practice hard enough.

red eye

Johnny Napalm wrote:

Soon you'll be able to do it without a hacksaw, if you practice hard enough.

How? With your teeth?

Johnny Napalm

How? With your teeth?

Evolution!