Source
r/metalworking•
Staus

Cut 6 mm 316 rod with minimal clean-up required

I have a project that requires cutting pieces of 316 stainless rod to custom lengths from 6 mm x 2m stock. As long as the cut is clean and square I am happy. This is done in a research lab, not a shop, so a minimim of mess and sparks would be good. The ends of the rod need to remain 6 mm and round after the cut is made. Some clean-up with a file is fine but wholesale turning or grinding would be good to avoid.

This stuff is currently chewing up hacksaw blades like crazy. I can't seem to get through even one cut without losing teeth. Is there anothrr tool that would do the job better (and faster)?

Posted Jul 20, 2015, 12:22 PM UTC · edited

29
cptmittens•

If you're losing teeth, it's likely the saw blades you're using are too coarse for 6mm stainless rod. Try 32 or 24 teeth per inch blades.

If money is no object, buy a hand-held bandsaw. Its probably your cleanest, fastest and quietest option if you have a lot of cuts to make.

6
secondarycontrol•

Maybe try a bit of cutting oil if you're happy with using a hacksaw blade.

Next up would be a portaband (or a HF knock-off) along with a holder or table for it.

Something like this

4
ColinDavies•

I'm a little surprised that the hacksaw isn't just breezing through it. Is there plenty of tension on the blade, is the rod firmly secured in a vise, and are you careful not to apply pressure on the back stroke? Is the blade binding at all as you work? Are you hearing any sort of squeak or recognizable tone during cutting?

3
darthchurro•

Have you looked at abrasive cutoff saws? Enclosed models with coolant cut really nice and there's no mess outside the saw.

2
Codeworks•

Get a bimetal hacksaw blade with 24tpi - it should breeze through them with a bit of lube.

2
y4m4•

Since it's only 6mm, you might be able to get away with something like this;

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-in-mini-bench-top-cut-off-saw-61900.html

I would chuck the rods up in a drill to finish the cut ends with a file and/or sane paper.

2
Halifax_Talking_Head•

They do make threaded rod cutters, although I haven't used them before. May be an option for you if you'll be doing a lot of cutting and want low mess.

1
StausOP•

Might be aomething for the next person to chime in on, but do those distort the rod near the cut at all?

1
HipsterGalt•

Just use a die grinder.

1