[Closed] Cuttting steerer yourself- whats the best tool

You don't need a vice for a hacksaw.

Hora, take it to a bike shop, seriously, otherwise we will have various threads from you asking about steerer replacement.

Bit of masking tape on it & a hacksaw
It doesn't have to be particularly square but if you can't cut straight use an old stem for a guide

Measure, measure, mark, re-measure then cut.

But if you're asking how to cut something, don't do it as you're clearly not confident (no offence)

Becuase I can cut straight, I use a hacksaw, no need for guides or vices.

However you hora, should get someone who knows what they're doing to cut it.

Becuase I can cut straight, I use a hacksaw, no need for guides or vices.

**swoons**

Drac, I know but I dont want to load/wear my headset bearings at an angle. anotherdeadhero, LOL.

I'll measure and remeasure but then I always have my steerers over 200mm anyway.

Pipe-cutters- any recommendations? I do feel more comfortable with one of those.

Ps- I can fit the SFN myself and Ive fitted headsets etc before 😉

If you've got an old stem lying about they make very good guides. Measure twice cut once, nice and steady. 5 minute job. Honest

Dammit I'm so manly sometimes.

GRR!

nickc, perfect. An obvious idea really- but then the best ones arent immediately obvious.

My problem is bolts- Im notorious for stripping/overtightening bolts

Most bike shops will just do it for free- it's a really satisfying job setting to on a pair of £500 forks with a saw (and a hammer for the SFN) and I know we'd certainly be happy to do it for nowt.

Also, if they cut it short, it's their fault.

I used a bit of packing tape as a marker, a junior hacksaw, (metal 32tpi blade) a dining chair, my knee and a cushion for comfort.

I had a practice go about an inch above where I finally cut, which was probably a good idea. Final job was neat and square.

liquid nitrogen and a lump hammer - works for me.

[i]Drac, I know but I dont want to load/wear my headset bearings at an angle[/i]

It's not a difficult task cutting something straight. The tape trick is a fool proof method if the edges meet then it's level so cut in line with the tape.

I know but I dont want to load/wear my headset bearings at an angle.

What are you dribbling about man? Its comments like these that make people suggest you should get it to a bike shop ...

Im notorious for stripping/overtightening bolts

I used to be, then I stopped. Besides, how are you going to strip bolts hacksawing off a steerer tube?

I used a chainsaw last time on a carbon steerer. Nearest tool to hand and worked a treat.
Make sure the teeth are good and sharp beforehand though.

I used to be, then I stopped. Besides, how are you going to strip bolts hacksawing off a steerer tube?

One word - Hora.

I used a chainsaw last time on a carbon steerer. Nearest tool to hand and worked a treat.
Make sure the teeth are good and sharp beforehand though.

I hope you hammered the SFN home good and hard as well.

Where are you based as Ive got a tool you can use if you are near us, If Katies forks come this week I will be doing them at the weekend, also got the tool for fitting star nut
Very proud of myself when I did my Lyriks

Tracey

Bugga. Manchester but thank you for the offer Tracey 🙂

Thanks for the advice guys. Only on STw can you receive abuse and advice 😀

what's this about loading / wearing the headset bearings? Anything roughly level should be ok, the top of the steerer tube shouldn't be touching anything at all. B

Abusive advice, the very best kind 8)

I use pipe cutters from Wickes but only on Aluminium steerers.

As you asked the question [b][i]"Cuttting steerer yourself- whats the best tool"[/i][/b]

I actually use one of these & it's pretty much the best tool I've ever used to to it 🙂

[img] [/img]

Actually can I revise my original answer..

The best tool for the job? Not you.

😉

I use pipe cutters from Wickes but only on Aluminium steerers.

Its aluminum. Will measure twice- get another person to remeasure, cut 10mm above intended- check then cut down accurately.

I'm far too tight to make a mistake like a short steerer.

Hora - don't measure [as such]

Put the forks in the frame & set it up exactly how you want it complete with spacers stem etc.
Then mark the steerer at the top face of the stem

Disassemble & then cut 5mm below the mark you made

If you do cut it too short you could pop your frame in the oven (180 degrees for about 40 minutes should do) then squish the headtube together a bit shorter. Remember to keep the internal diameter constant when you squish it with a broom handle.

Get a pipe cutting tool from your local plumbers merchant. Should be £10-£15. Worth it as it will last you forever

Has the couple of cable ties cutting guide been mentioned yet?

Cost me a fiver at my LBS.

£5 well spent.

LBS for five squid, or do what I did. B&Q plastic mitre saw box for a fiver. Actually, I am aware of Hora, so perhaps LBS is the best bet 😉

I know but I dont want to load/wear my headset bearings at an angle

Earlier on this site, someone was asking about waterproof bib shorts, and now I read this.

Is everyone quite sure it isn't 1st April?

🙂

I got a pipe cutter for the last job, but it did splay the edges of the tube a tad so I had to file them down to get the spacers and stem on smoothly. Previous cuts have been made using the hacksaw / tape method and have been fine

I couldn't find my pipe cutter, and I didn't have any hacksaw blades, so I used my 6 inch angle grinder. Slight overkill but sparks are pretty

waterproof bib shorts

Your kidding? Doesn't that come under specialist incontinence wear?

up link your a genius!!

i have a dry saw at work and have always cut my steerer with a hack saw then used a bench grinder to chamfer the edge!

TOP TIP!!! (and it will be square)

If you've got an old stem lying about they make very good guides. Measure twice cut once, nice and steady. 5 minute job. Honest

That's the way to go; aluminium cuts so easily that special cutting guides and pipe cutters are just an uneccessary cost.

Can you do a steel steerer with a pipe cutter?

[img] [/img]

Hacksaw and an old stem - I even did mine on the dining room table. It's not super-smooth, but I filed it off somewhat and it's fine.

I have no idea why you would load bearings doing a steerer.... I have cut about 6 with a junior hacksaw with a metal cutting blade, worked a treat everytime!

I always measure up putting the HS in spacers and the stem, but I also put 1 extra 5mm spacer in when measuring up, cut then remove the "extra spacer" fits perfectly as under compression it uses the 5mm I removed if that makes sense.

For your stripping threads problem, get a torque wrench............

Pipecutter, £8 in B&Q piece of pish

Yes, but

Can you do a steel steerer with a pipe cutter?