Can I use a simple pipe-cutter? Or do I need a more sophisticated tool?
I cut one with a brand-new hacksaw blade & mitre box, no splintering or jagged edges. Not sure about pipe cutters, not very familiar with them.
Paulo - I’ve done it twice now. First time I used a pipe cutter (the spiral type, screw down tighter, spin, etc.). Second time I used a fine hacksaw blade and miter box. I would definitely recommend the fine hacksaw/miter box method. The pipe cutter way 'kinda crushes a little, even if you go slow and tighten slowly (this was a nice Reynold Ouzo Pro fork too). I cut my new Wolf SL fork with a perfectly straght edge better with the hacksaw and miter box, then gently sanded any burs.
Hacksaw - new blade. DON’T use a pipecutter.
A fine, new hacksaw and a straightedge or miter box. Sand the edges lightly, you’re done.
What’s a mitre box?
I wouldn’t use a pipe cutter as it will probably crush the carbon. Just use a very fine toothed hacksaw blade and saw smoothly without using a lot of force. Also, put a wrap of tape around the spot you’re going to cut, it will help it from splintering.
Greg.
Use the hacksaw! Fine toothed, new blade. Don’t cut all the way through to the other end unsupported or you’ll tear out fibers. Wrapping masking tape around the fork first will help prevent that tear out, but if you’re good with a saw, removing it and finishing that last 1/8-/16" from the other direction will ensure no tear out.
Pipe cutters - not a good idea, IMO. They tend to crush as part of their cutting method.
This little “razor saw” is about perfect for this application.
Paulo,
Check out this link from Easton its under their technical bulletins
http://www.eastonbike.com/downloadable_files/r&d_files/R&D-05-Carbon.pdf
I use a cutting guide, but I have done it freehand carefully. Make sure you do a practice cut on the very end before doing the final cut.
KR
Mitre box is used to cut wood at perfect angles with a handheld saw. On a carbon steerer tube you don’t need to be absolutely perfectly square with yoru cut because nothing really butts up against that end anyways. Just get it as close as you can…
Paulo;
Use the Park (or other brand) steerer cutting guide and a hacksaw with a fine blade (I have one used for cutting fibreglass).
" Can I use a simple pipe-cutter? Or do I need a more sophisticated tool? "
Funny, I always thought you were a pretty sophisticated tool…
Anyway, you’ll be better off taking it to an LBS - there is a really nice jig that Park makes just for this, and a special blade that quality shops will use to make sure the cut is smooth. It doesn’t make sense to buy the tool and the blade if the LBS can cut it for you for maybe $15.
pipecutter won’t work on carbon, you need a sophisticated hacksaw…
really this is one job I’m prepared to pay the LBS to do.
I rode my bike to my LBS then waited 5 minutes while they did it for me (for free).
It would have taken me longer to find my hacksaw.
You mitre have a second thought about using a traditional pipe-cutter!
Fleck
You can buy the tool for not much more than $15…and you don’t need that special a blade, just some emery paper to smooth out the cut.
Whatever you do, wear a mask and clean up the dust carefully with a wet paper towel or rag (don’t sweep or vacuum it). I think the Easton site has the appropriate warnings – heed them.
-jens
If you have the hacksaw but not the mitre box you can make a straight cutting-guide out of a hose clamp. Just tighten the clamp around the tube and cut right next to it.
you can’t use a pipe cutter. if you don’t have a miter box you might use a pipe cutter to VERY LIGHTLY score the carbon, so that you have a guide for your hacksaw. a blade with 32 teeth per inch or finer will cut your steerer.
this is the second thread today asking about things we do cover on slowtwitch. not that i mind anyone asking, but there’s good stuff here:
http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/techctr/maintenance/maintenance.html
you’ll learn about miter boxes, cutting carbon steerers, AND about cleaning your bike (the other thread to which i refer).
This is a miter box. I am referring to the yellow colored plastic thingy. U should be able to find this at a regular hardware store.
Another way of making a straight cut with a hacksaw is to use 2 band clamps. clamp the band clamps around the steerer (ont to the left of the cut line and one to the right of the cut line. Then, saw away. Your cut will be almost perfectly straight. This is a pic of a band clamp…
Paul