best way to cut an Al steertube?
07-07-10, 10:08 AM
#1
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best way to cut an Al steertube?
Getting a new fork and wondering if there is a special tool to use, plumbers pipe cutters, hack saw?
Thanks
Thanks
07-07-10, 10:12 AM
#2
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You can use plumbers pipe cutters. In the shop we just use a hacksaw with a park tool saw guide and cutting oil. Use a sharp blade.
Measure once, cut twice
Measure once, cut twice
07-07-10, 10:36 AM
#4
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Wrapping a piece of masking, duct or other less flexible tape around the tube so the end matches the first part will also provide a nice square cut line. Or wrap a 4 inch piece of printer paper around the tube so the edge lines up and mark the cut with a pencil line.
Any of these will give you a nice square end. After sawing with a hacksaw file or sand off the burrs to give a smooth end.
Any of these will give you a nice square end. After sawing with a hacksaw file or sand off the burrs to give a smooth end.
07-07-10, 10:45 AM
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Wrapping a piece of masking, duct or other less flexible tape around the tube so the end matches the first part will also provide a nice square cut line. Or wrap a 4 inch piece of printer paper around the tube so the edge lines up and mark the cut with a pencil line.
Any of these will give you a nice square end. After sawing with a hacksaw file or sand off the burrs to give a smooth end.
Any of these will give you a nice square end. After sawing with a hacksaw file or sand off the burrs to give a smooth end.
07-07-10, 12:53 PM
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Some thoughts:
Cut the steerer long enough the first time to require a couple of spacers, say 15 or 20 mm worth, ABOVE the stem. That will give you some room to adjust the height after you've ridden the bike a bit. As they say, "you can't cut it longer".
Also, when you do make your final cut, leave the steerer long enough to require a 5 mm spacer above the stem to get the needed adjustment gap. That serves two purposes:
1. It assures the stem is fully supported by the steerer. That's more important with a carbon steerer but useful with Al or Cr-Mo steerers too.
2. It makes cutting the steerer exactly square less critical since the top of the spacer is the surface the top cap presses against.
Cut the steerer long enough the first time to require a couple of spacers, say 15 or 20 mm worth, ABOVE the stem. That will give you some room to adjust the height after you've ridden the bike a bit. As they say, "you can't cut it longer".
Also, when you do make your final cut, leave the steerer long enough to require a 5 mm spacer above the stem to get the needed adjustment gap. That serves two purposes:
1. It assures the stem is fully supported by the steerer. That's more important with a carbon steerer but useful with Al or Cr-Mo steerers too.
2. It makes cutting the steerer exactly square less critical since the top of the spacer is the surface the top cap presses against.
07-07-10, 12:59 PM
#7
You Know!? For Kids!
One can also use a metal hose clamp as a saw guide.
https://www.vernk.com/images/Angelfir...gHoseClamp.jpg
Not a fork in the picture, but you get the idea.
https://www.vernk.com/images/Angelfir...gHoseClamp.jpg
Not a fork in the picture, but you get the idea.
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07-07-10, 02:38 PM
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"Measure once, cut twice"
I'm not sure I'd follow that part....
I'm not sure I'd follow that part....
Last edited by Booger1; 07-07-10 at 02:45 PM.
