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Thanks for any recommendations in advance
Use a saw. Pipe cutters don't leave a good finish.
An old stem makes a good cutting guide.
Yep. Hack saw is faster than dealing with the nasty edges that stop the headset slipping on etc.
Learning how to cut straight with a hacksaw is pretty handy too.
Thanks - symptom of watching people use fancy tools on youtube.
Is there a tool to guide the saw, to get a nice square cut? Can just use a basic file to take any burrs off.
Is there a tool to guide the saw, to get a nice square cut?
Two headset spacers and some duct tape for steerer.
Two Lock-On clamps and some duct tape for bars
Got a Topeak cutting guide, as i'm using it day in, day out. Does a decent job when new, but they do wear out if using them as much as I do. Would I bother for occasional use? Nope, not worth it, just scribe around a spacer resting on the stem at the required height, and cut with a hacksaw (24t for ally, 32t for steel), and file to finish.
I use a decent hacksaw and a Lifeline cutting guide - in fact I used it today for my new Lyriks. The guide is £15 well spent - used it on steerers and seatposts so far.
use a cutting guide and hacksaw.
These are good for cleaning up steerers, but yeah a file will work too.
As mentioned above, I used to just use an old stem as a guide. A long one gives good purchase for your foot so the fork doesn't move much when sawing! But there are plenty of guides around.
I just wrap a bit of paper round it and follow the edge of the paper.
Pipe cutter has always worked well for me - not sure what problems I should have had?
Ditto for me - always had success with a pipe cutter. Tape up first, and file the sharpness off after. Blade needs to be good and sharp though.
Sorry forgot to say - mine is just a generic one off eBay - cost a few pounds…
Pipe cutter then finish with a Ridgid 223S reamer.
Been using a pipe cutter for years, never had a problem.
Cheap Silverline pipe cutter for bars, hacksaw & a Jubilee clip as a guide for steerers. Clean up with a fine file.
walleater
As mentioned above, I used to just use an old stem as a guide. A long one gives good purchase for your foot so the fork doesn’t move much when sawing! But there are plenty of guides around.
Are you some kind of contortionist?
I’ve got a new PRO (Shimano brand) steerer cutting guide tool spare - brand new and carded.
DM me if you’re interested? £5 plus whatever it costs to post.
A sharp new hacksaw blade, a piece of tape to guide me, take it nice & steady, worked fine. After I measured it twice, & corrected the markings…. I’m sure a guide would be lovely, but I fit new forks once in a blue moon.
I used to use a hacksaw and guide, but I now use a pipe cutter and have an old reamer that I ‘borrowed’ from my dad’s workshop (he had many). Not sure what brand mine is as it was a spare one my dad had lying around (so either cheap from screwfix or really expensive). They’re so easy to use and if it’s a sharp one (mine is) then they leave a really clean cut.
@sillyoldman if the OP doesn't take you up on it, I will please.
Thanks all for the input! Appreciated. Plenty of options and I like the guide approach best.
@sillyoldman thanks I’ll DM you now. Cheers too @Jordan
Pipe cutter has always worked well for me – not sure what problems I should have had?
People often bulge the tube either side of the cut when using a pipe cutter.
If you bulge the tube then they’re not using it properly, you’re supposed to gradually tighten it as you go in small increments.
You can’t fault a tool for not working properly if it’s being used by a complete tool.
I just run a piece of tape round as a guide then cut a section, turn it a little in the vice, repeat until I have a nice even groove/cut.
I use an Irwin pipe cutter and finish with a file. It’s part of my diy plumbing tool box so not solely a bike tool.
I own a proper cutting guide and subsequently bought a silverline pipe cutter, I've used both for cutting a steerer and prefer the pipe cutter, go slowly and it works perfectly and you're far less likely to get metal bits in your fork seals
I bought one of these for cutting stainless steel kitchen rails, also works a treat on bars etc. and covers 5-35mm
Not cheap but super accurate and easy to use. I have a clamp on cutting guide, but actually now prefer the tube cutter.
FFX.CO.UK I use a pipe cutter too - the same Irwin one as mentioned above. Far less faff than a hacksaw.
I think the entire reason for changing stem standards, was to create a limitless supply of worthless old stems to use for cutting steerers.
Just get the grinder out!
Pipe cutter for bars and hacksaw and guide for the steerer. Probably not the answer you wanted!
You get a cleaner edge when using a pipe cutter if you use it gradually rather than clamping it down double tight. Even then there will still be a tiny bit of filling/reaming if you are bothered about smooth edges. Some pipe cutters have a built in reaming blade/triangle spike.
I use a Monument pipe cutter because that's what I've got for cutting pipes. For cutting actual pipes ratchet cutters are handy things to have!