Cutting steerer - how neat?

larkim

My sawing tendency is to never cut straight, no matter what guides etc I put in place.

Last time I cut a steerer, it was probably 1-2mm higher on one side than the other. But as there are spacers in place above the stem there wasn't an issue when it all went back together again.

I've got another fork arriving today. Is a 100% flat cut across the top absolutely essential, or is that sort of tolerance OK, particularly if there is a spacer going on top of the stem? Or should I just bite the bullet and get someone more competent (e.g. LBS) to make the cut for me?

drlodge

You can get a cheap plastic mitre/jig from B&Q or homebase, will help you keep a straight blade.

drlodge

This kind of thing:

The Rookie

I use a 28.6mm seatpost clamp and then an old headset spacer as sacrificial guide.

Monty Dog

Clamp steerer in spare stem and spacer as sacrificial guide, clamp stem in workmate - use underside of stem if absolutely desperate

dgunthor

it's ok to file it flat afterwards, remove the sharp edges. doesn't matter if it's not completely straight as long as it's not interfering with the top cap

step83

Filing is worth doing, half moon file both inside and out to remove any sharp edges and a wipe down after to get rid of the burrs.

I have a post/bar/fork cutter but a collar and spacer are just as good just clamp it tight so it wont move when cutting.

larkim

I think the main point is surely if its not interferring with the top cap, and the top spacer has something to sit around(if there is one - and I know that's not ideal, but I want to retain the option for lifting the stem later if I need to) then there are no issues with the stem clamping the steerer properly or the spacer sitting neatly on top of the stem.

All other suggestions very helpful - I've got a mitre box, but I think last time I did this my saw was too small to fit through it, or perhaps I didn't clamp well enough on the workbench. Whatever I do, I tend to wander towards my sawing arm (i.e. right) a little. Perhaps its the saw.

Twelly

Plumbers pipe cutter does the job for me, perfectly straight every time.

Thewaylander

Twelly wrote:

Plumbers pipe cutter does the job for me, perfectly straight every time.

This 10 times over, not expensive and awesome.. then file it smooth

larkim

Thewaylander wrote:

Twelly wrote:

Plumbers pipe cutter does the job for me, perfectly straight every time.

This 10 times over, not expensive and awesome.. then file it smooth

Took this advice. £7 from B&Q, straight cut in less than five minutes, no hassle at all. Job done!