Cutting through steel/iron round bar

[David Brown 9Participant @davidbrown9]

Hi, is it possible to cut through 16mm diameter round bar on a Sieg SX2 mini mill? I am not sure if it is iron or steel (I found it on the street a long time ago and thought it might come in handy!). How could I do this? It is not stainless steel as it is a bit rusty.

I realise I need a metal cutting band saw but I don't have room, finding space for the mini mill was a struggle.

I have an Evolution/Rage circular mitre saw but no way am I going to try to cut throught that thickness of metal with this, the sparks when cutting through much thinner hard metal are scary enough!

David

[David Brown 9Participant @davidbrown9]

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Hacksaw works for me.

I suppose you could make several cuts across the bar with say a 6mm milling cutter but seems a bit wasteful of metal and costly on cutter ware. If its short lengths then stood vertically in the vice and sliced off with a slitting saw is another option.

[Frances IoMParticipant @francesiom58905]

Before I invested in a near essential bandsaw I had a cheapie (from Screwfix) Evolution/rage mitre saw with carbide tips – 40mm steel was easy (tho use it outside the workshop as throws metal even further than flycutting) – did struggle however on 20mm stainless (which I had to mill down on an SX1) – 16mm is no problem on an SX1 just slower (use a small slotdrill to progressively cut a channel

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Have you thought of using a hacksaw? 16 mm would only take a few minutes with a decent blade.

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

Use an angle grinder with a 1mm cutting blade. I have cut thru 50mm bar with one of these. Then clean up the cut surface on the milling machine.

[Roger Provins 2Participant @rogerprovins2]

I agree with John, just hacksaw it and it'll be done in five minutes.

[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

If you can control a hacksaw reasonably well then use "Allhard" blades. They last a lot longer than the generally available flexible ones. You will hacksaw 16mm bar without raising a sweat.

[colin hawesParticipant @colinhawes85982]

An angle grinder, as Paul advises, is very quick at cutting steel bars and it doesn't matter how tough the steel is. I have a cheap one and it has done a lot of work. It's also a quick way of carving high speed steel toolbits to near the desired shape. I also use a bandsaw for most cutting off though. Colin.

[Mike ClarkeParticipant @mikeclarke87958]

I'm always reluctant to use abrasive cut off wheels in the workshop as not keen on the dust sticking to my oiled slideways. Noisy too.

I've cut many a 50mm slug off with a hacksaw – it's almost therapeutic and definitely good exercise! I find a little lubricant on the blade helps (tend to use Trefolex).

Cheers,

Mike

[David ColwillParticipant @davidcolwill19261]

Even though I have a bandsaw (getting long lengths into it takes some rearranging), I still find a hacksaw with a sharp blade is the goto tool for anything less than 25mm.

As others have said sharp good quality blades are essential.

Regards.

David.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

16mm is an all in one go job with a decent hacksaw blade.

When you get up to 2", take it in a few short sessions rather than all in one go.

X2 will go through anything, if you take muiltiple cuts.

Neil

[Bob YouldonParticipant @bobyouldon45599]

Hello David,

When I first read your post I though you'd left a nought off and it should have been 160mm, but as many have suggested use a hacksaw, 24tpi X 12" blade, plenty of cutting oil, don't go at it too fast and keep your thumb out of the frame. When it comes to the larger sizes above 2" etc then a steady go with the hacksaw, turn the radio on, get yourself a comfortable stance, an 18 tpi blade, again plenty of cutting oil and away you go, it'll whizz through. My wife can't even cut bread straight, hopeless! Cutting things off straight is one of those aquired arts, me, I hate wood with a vengence!

Regards,

Bob

[Mick HenshallParticipant @mickhenshall99321]

Bob–my wife is exactly thr same with a bread knife, do they do it on pupose do you think just to get us blokes to do summat in the kitchen?

Mick

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

Posted by Mick Henshall on 19/11/2015 13:14:00:

Bob–my wife is exactly thr same with a bread knife, do they do it on pupose do you think just to get us blokes to do summat in the kitchen?

Mick

Have you actually checked that the correct breadknife is being used? They are made in left and right handed versions (I'm serious) and using the wrong one is a recipe for making toast of the bread!

Ian P

[mark costello 1Participant @markcostello1]

Groan

[David Brown 9Participant @davidbrown9]

I will use a hacksaw, it didn't occur to me that 16mm isn't actually that thick!

David

[norman valentineParticipant @normanvalentine78682]

When I worked as a teacher of Design Technology I often had kids ask me if it was possible to cut steel. To them it was the hardest thing in their universe. I have watched many people using a hacksaw, brisk cuts (60 per min) and light pressure seems to be the way to cut quickly and accurately.

[John RuddParticipant @johnrudd16576]

Posted by David Brown 9 on 18/11/2015 19:42:20:

I have an Evolution/Rage circular mitre saw but no way am I going to try to cut throught that thickness of metal with this, the sparks when cutting through much thinner hard metal are scary enough!

David

I too have a Rage Mitre saw, the 14" tct bladed job……made for cutting through steel, I've used mine for cutting through 1/2" plate and 2" square bar…..

Dont be afraid to use it and take your time….

[Brian JohnParticipant @brianjohn93961]

I use an angle grinder with a cutting wheel but please do it outside as it can make a hell of a mess if you try to do it inside ! Obviously, you should always wear eye protection when using this tool.

Edited By Brian John on 20/11/2015 06:21:37

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Use a hacksaw, take cuts at a steady 70 per min, but before you get set into your work, take a cutting stroke, just to see if the metal is soft enough to cut, if not either use the angle grinder, or the wheelley bin.

Ian S C

[john carruthersParticipant @johncarruthers46255]

>Have you actually checked that the correct breadknife is being used? They are made in left and right handed versions (I'm serious) and using the wrong one is a recipe for making toast of the bread!<<

Depends which way the grain goes.

(sorry)

Does the OP have a lathe? just part it off?

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

No lathe

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

A large cold chisel, a large hammer, and an anvil, and someone to hold the chisel.

Ian S C

[CirclipParticipant @circlip]

High tensile Stainless rusts.

Regards Ian.

[Author]

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