Cutting mudguard stays

mr.b-campag

I need to cut some mudguard stays to size to fit some SKS 'guards I have had lying around for a while. Any recommendations as to size and/or length of boltcutters required (I don't have a vice - at least not of that kind!).

Thanks

B

Vino'sGhost

Mr.B-Campag wrote:

I need to cut some mudguard stays to size to fit some SKS 'guards I have had lying around for a while. Any recommendations as to size and/or length of boltcutters required (I don't have a vice - at least not of that kind!).

Thanks

B

most decent diagonal cutters should be up to that task.

mr.b-campag

Thanks both,

Saws aren't an option. I was just thinking of ordering smthing off the bay - wd an 8in bolt cutter do i,t or do I need smthing more industrial? Any particular brands to use/avoid?

B

photonic69

Cutters may or may not work depending on the thickness and the steel. A hacksaw always will.
You don't need a vice, though it helps. An outdoor step or a brick and your foot can work. Just cut gently.

ayjaycee

Have you got a Dremel or similar? That’s what I use (with a diamond disc and a workmate but a cheap vice would do as well).

me-109

I'm sure a hacksaw would be cheaper than any bolt cutters. Why is a saw not feasible? Have you a restraining order preventing access to bladed tools?

redvee

With a Dremel type tool you can cut in situ and the same with good cutters. I've got a pair of 8" bolt cutters that are man enough to cut through stays but prefer the Dremel as I can cut and smooth the edges with one tool whereas bolt cutters etc will need filing smooth which is possible on the bike but is much easier with a Dremel.

mercia_man

As said already - Wedge in place with brick and foot and use hacksaw. Simple.'

jermas

Bolt cutters. 8" are just about ok, 12" will make the job very easy and are less than £8 delivered (E-bay). Cutting on the bike without having to disassemble makes the job a lot quicker. The cuts have a slightly sharp finish but are usually covered by the end caps. Wear eye protection as the off-cuts fly like bullets.

mr.b-campag

Thanks for the considered replies everyone. Fwiw I think I'm with jermas on this one - bolt-cutters from Ebay it is.
@me109 - no, but given how ham-fisted I am perhaps there ought to be!

me-109

^^

ayjaycee

Mr.B-Campag wrote:

@me109 - no, but given how ham-fisted I am perhaps there ought to be!

Which is exactly why I didn’t use tha Dremel in situ.

edward.s

knipex mini bolt cutters work and are built to last, but not a cheap option. For cheapness go with cheapest 18" bolt cutters from ebay.

keef66

I know the decision's already been made, and it would be hard to justify the purchase purely to cut mudguard stays, but I'm another Dremel / cutting disc convert. So easy to do a very tidy job with the stays in-situ. Just watch where the sparks go!

Also very useful for cleaning up / neatening the cut ends of cable outer. Most satisfying.

Obviously a Dremel has hundreds of other potential uses...

ayjaycee

keef66 wrote:

I know the decision's already been made, and it would be hard to justify the purchase purely to cut mudguard stays, but I'm another Dremel / cutting disc convert. So easy to do a very tidy job with the stays in-situ. Just watch where the sparks go!

Also very useful for cleaning up / neatening the cut ends of cable outer. Most satisfying.

Obviously a Dremel has hundreds of other potential uses...

I've always worked on the basis that good quality cutters leave cable ends good to go but you're right about sorting the outers. I've used the cutters along with a file for the job in the past but nothing does the business as quickly and neatly as a Dremel type tool.

graeme_s-2

The last set I did, I did with a junior hacksaw while in situ. Very carefully. I just couldn't face the faff of disassembly and reassembly.

When I bought a park tools cable cutter from my LBS years back, they told me they were sturdy and worked well, but they had destroyed one by using it go cut mudguard stays! They said it did the job well the first 20 or so times and then fell apart.

I once went out to get my commuter bike out of the garage, glanced at it, and noticed the rubber cap was missing from one of the mudguard stays, and what was left looked pretty sharp, thought it had probably been like that for ages and I just hadn't noticed. As I was manoeuvring the bike out of the garage I managed to stab myself in the knee with the end of the stay - I wouldn't recommend it.

Since I last fitted a set of mudguards we have bought a dremel for another project. Good to know there's another use I can put it to.

redvee

edward.s wrote:

knipex mini bolt cutters work and are built to last.

I've got a set that cost me £15 nearly 20 years ago, underused for cable cutting but does outer too and there's a ferrule clamp between the handles too.