Thread: cutting steel rod

Ive got a set of bolt cutters that will handle that, and yes so long as its mild steel round a rebar cutter will deal with it.

Originally Posted by lewy

I need to cut some 10mm steel rod to make a gate,dont really want to use an angle grinder to cut the rod,will a rebar cutter do the job,I can hire one from the local hire mobs,need to make about 50 cuts,is there a better way.

Wouldnt a drop saw be better with that many cuts

I guess thats just a bigger angle grinder

Cheers Ean

i have really only got the shed floor to work on,so dont want to many sparks flying around.
on second thoughts,if i park the disco near me,perhaps

If you know what lengths you want, get them to do it at the shop where you buy/bought it from.

Having said that, if your going to hire a cutter of some description, a Drop Saw will at least keep the sparks in a fairly confined direction/area. (set up just outside the shed door )

I would use a hacksaw. Actually I would use my power hacksaw - slower than a cutting off wheel but no sparks. And 10mm would be quite feasible with a hand hacksaw and vice.

John

forget that! just be sensible about what is in the path of any sparks and use a grinder, why turn a quick job into one that takes 10 times as long?

A chop saw / drop saw or Dave's bolt cutters will be fastest.
Slower overall (I'd guess) but more fun is to heat it up & cut it with a hot cut or hardy cut-off. Would be interesting to have a race with that, actually.

But yeah, most places will cut to size. Normally for no extra cost either.

Simplest is hacksaw but will take longer and will be made easier if you have a vice to hold the rod while you cut it.

Bolt cutters if you can handle a little deformation at the cut.

Rebar cutter results are likely to be the same as bolt cutters.

Cold chisel will do the job but will require a few good blows with a good hammer and something to use as an anvil.

Angle grinder is easy enough use a thin cutting disk and it will cut quickly and in 10mm you are unlikely to twist the grinder enough to break the cutting disk. Use a face shield and gloves.

A drop chop saw will have an adjustable stop so you can get all your rods to the same length.

Cold saw, 3 phase jobbies too expensive for most DIYers and will be available at the steel supplier, for 50 cuts I'd expect to be charged. Last time I was down steel suppliers it was a dollar a cut after the first couple. If they are busy you may have to come back later. I see that cold saws are also available in portable single phase format, never seen one in use.

And then there is always oxy acetylene or plasma cutters but too much trouble/set up cost.