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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1
J
JDP1 Offline OP
New Member
Hi
I am new the forum. I am trying to locate a specialty tool used to cut threaded rod for lamps/light 1/8 1/4 3/8 I run across a lot of older installations where this tool would save considerable time verses a hacksaw.
Thank you in advance

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
Likes: 7
Member
Welcome to ECN from one of the 'Jersey Guys'!

McMaster-Carr has a rod cutter (bench mount) in their catalog (paper version #104)

Sorry, I don't have a link to them, try Google.



John
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
I use my 4" grinder to cut things like this. Run a nut down the rod past the place you want to cut, cut it and then use the nut to reform the threads as you back it off. Usually the grinder makes a pretty clean cut tho. If it does look burred use the side of the wheel to taper it before you back the nut off.


Greg Fretwell
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,445
Likes: 2
Cat Servant
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I think that the small angle grinder is the most under-appreciated tool around.

I started carrying one for a specific job - only to find that I used it far more than I had ever imagined. Unless the ironworkers are on site though, I am usually the only person with one.

The cutting of threaded rod and running thread is one job they do very well.

Joined: Jul 2002
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I have to agree, with the above 2 posts, a 4" angle grinder does a pretty good job of cutting threaded rod and a lot of other things, I might add.
However,
I've lost count of the number of times I've seen people on a building site, using a grinding wheel as a cut-off blade and vice-versa and they wonder why the wheels don't last long, or even worse, they shatter.
Cut-off wheels are not designed to have side-ways force applied to them, as they are quite thin.

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 717
M
Member
I like using my porta band saw for cutting rods. The threads cut clean with the correct blade used.

Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,294
Member
It's kind of time consuming to run a hexnut 5 feet up the length of a 10 foot piece of threaded rod.

I use a hacksaw, and then chamfer the end of the rod with my angle grinder, or if I've got a lot of pieces to cut, with a bench grinder. A vise helps tremendously.

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
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G
Member
"It's kind of time consuming to run a hexnut 5 feet up the length of a 10 foot piece of threaded rod."

Chuck it up in your drill


Greg Fretwell
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,294
Member
"Chuck it up in your drill"

It gets to a certain point in the process where the rod, not so much with 3/8" but with 1/4", wows wildly around on the loose end.

Even when I go slowly, this happens. I hold the nut with the vise.



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