Cutting a carbon steerer tube

Brocade
Brocade Posts: 433
edited July 2010 in Workshop

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    a nice fine tooth hacksaw blade is the best. would not use anything else.
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  • Alexkf
    Alexkf Posts: 10
    32tpi hacksaw blade is the tool of choice
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    I have only ever used that kind of cutter on metal tubes. I'd be worried that it might crush a carbon steerer.
  • sheffsimon
    sheffsimon Posts: 1,282
    That tool is OK for metal - same as a plumbers pipe cutter, no good for carbon.

    Hacksaw blade is the tool of choice.
  • Brocade
    Brocade Posts: 433
    OK many thanks all, think I'll just take it to a LBS after all !
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  • will3
    will3 Posts: 2,173
    Do not whatever you do use that for cutting carbon.
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    Brocade wrote:
    OK many thanks all, think I'll just take it to a LBS after all !

    It's cheaper to just buy a 32tpi hacksaw blade, probably quicker and less agro too.
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  • Brian-Mc
    Brian-Mc Posts: 71
    one of these and a decent hacksaw blade.

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=10222
  • Velonutter
    Velonutter Posts: 2,437
    Brian-Mc wrote:
    one of these and a decent hacksaw blade.

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=10222

    Yep I have one of those bought from Parker's, its the only thing I would ever use on a steerer.
  • sheffsimon
    sheffsimon Posts: 1,282
    Brian-Mc wrote:
    one of these and a decent hacksaw blade.

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=10222

    £18 to get a square cut on a tube!!

    Doesnt matter if its not exactly square.
  • Butterd2
    Butterd2 Posts: 937
    To get a square cut just wrap a piece of paper with a straight edge around the tube. With the paper wrapped flat against the tube the edge will be square to the tube and you can mark that and cut with a saw.
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  • stokey1964
    stokey1964 Posts: 454
    Just use an old headset spacer and tape it to the tube.

    Use the edge of this as your guide


    Simon
  • MrIP
    MrIP Posts: 91
    I always use a large cable tie as a cutting guide

    Regards

    Mrip
  • chriskempton
    chriskempton Posts: 1,245
    I tried cutting down the gap between two old stems clamped to the steerer. It didn't work :lol:
  • psychle
    psychle Posts: 83
    I tried using a jubilee clip for a guide, also didn't work, but as SheffSimon said, it doesn't matter if the cut isn't precisely square.

    With a carbon steerer you have to insert a fork bung. This self-positions itself relative to the axis of the steerer, not the end cut. And the top of the bung (or at least, on the one I used) sits proud of the end of the steerer.

    Otherwise, as others have said, a new 32tpi blade gives a clean cut. Worth using a dust mask also.


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  • TommyEss
    TommyEss Posts: 1,855
    Don't forget to wear a good mask - carbon fibre particles in your lungs are very dangerous - carcinogenic if I remember correctly (not delibrately trying to scare-monger!)
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  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    going against the grain I prefer a harsher cutting blade than a 32tpi hacksaw - with a hacksaw you are gnawing away at the carbon steerer for ages - increasing the chances of going "off" with the cut - a harsher bladecuts through it in many less strokes and then neaten up the cut with a file.

    do wear a mask!
  • thel33ter
    thel33ter Posts: 2,684
    I used a hacksaw, but I tried a little pipe cutter thing like that on the bit I cut off and it was fine, if you take your time and only turn it in a little bit every time its won't crush it.
    And now you know, and knowing is half the battle
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