Cutting down a steerer tube...

@retro_di_corsa - do you still have the die to cut a thread? I'm about to fit the forks I bought off you and the existing thread isn't quite long enough.

Cheers.

yep, no probs, PM me re. hooking up. cheers

retro- I'll be needing to cut down a fork and I presume add thread to fit to a lo-pro headtube fairly soon.. would you be on for this and if so how much would you charge?

retro- i may need this doing in the future, is the machinery still available to you?

The forks I have just installed are great, except there's about an inch too much threaded steerer poking out of the top

Does anyone have any tips for cutting it, like 'don't try to do it yourself' or other helpful advice? Would it be better to use some kind of spacers?

thanks

nar....just cut it off with a hack saw. this is handy, but not essential. If you can use a vice that will do. Alternatively take it down to your LBS and get them to do it for a tenner

Best is to use a sawing bench / machine

With a hacksaw, it's nice to use a dedicated guide to cut it exactly 90 degrees.

Alternatively, you can use e.g. an old head set cup (treaded). Works as a guide, but also "repairs" the cut edge / tread after cutting.
An old threadless stem with the correct diameter is a good guide, too.

Of course, also possible without guides etc. but just make sure that you cut it straight. The locknut holds just on a few threads. If the angle is not 90 degrees, you may get problems.

Basically, it's a simple job.
Don't do it with the fork in the frame. Impossible to cut straight (without guide) and one small slip of the saw, and your frame is ruined.

I done it with the fork , off the frame and in a vice
Leave the lock nut on when you cut it. Then you can tidy up the threads when you unscrew the locknut.

I've done it with a hacksaw and the cutting guide that appears on the SJS banner above. I don't have a vice so I had to keep one hand on the fork, but apart from it being slower, it worked just fine.

Yep hacksaw, locknut, square cutting and filing of new lead thread (half round file best) will do the job.

I've got the opposite problem. I need to cut more threads. Anyone got this tool? http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=51&item=FTS-1
Condor, Brixon Cycles, Brick Lane Bikes and 14 all drew blanks yesyerday! Build budget going mental. Please help!

I wonder how you guys do clean up the thread with a locknut, screwed on the steerer before cutting the tube.
Don't you mean the upper (adjustable) cup?

If you take the locknut, you can only screw it on the part of the steerer that you throw away. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me if you want to chase that thread.
More likely to take care of the thread on the good part of the steerer. IMHO this can only be done with a cup, not with a lock nut.

Hi, this page comes high in the Google results for "steerer thread die" so I thought I'd post some advice I found from the late great Sheldon Brown. On this page he says

Sometimes, the threads on the fork's steerer tube need to be cleaned up. In this case, you need a die. One way to make such a die is to use an old, worn out headset race. Headset races are made from hardened steel, just like dies, and you can make a headset race into a tap by cutting grooves in it with a carbide-tipped hacksaw blade.

I just need an extra 1/2" or so of thread so I'm going to try that.

Cheers, al.

Whos sheldon brown? is he that courier that can no-hand trackstand?

Well, that worked. Photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/allankelly/sets/72157623496633771/

Cheers, al.

Sheldon is a legend!

I know his trackstands are ace.

I heard he can do that one where you put your right foot THROUGH the triangle onto the right pedal while drinking a can of beer AT THE SAME TIME!

Well, that worked. Photos here:

I need to do this to some forks. If I can't find a shop to do this for me i'll probably give that a go. Are the grooves just to get rid of the metal junk? Any tips for doing this? I've used taps before but not a die. Or a homemade Sheldon tool.

The grooves form the cutting edge and also allow the swarf to come out in smaller pieces.
If you have access to it use some cutting fluid if not ordinary oil is better than nothing.
I would also advise one half turn forward then one whole turn back this allows the die to break the swarf into a shorter length and helps to cut a cleaner thread.

DIY ftw

Old fella at AW Cycles in Colliers will do it for you. Great old shop too..

You know my feelings on this, Aram... Roll a spliff, fill a glass with a decent Sauvignon Blanc, fuck jayloo like a dirty, randy, little monkey while listening to Funhouse, get a good night's sleep then take the fork to your nearest LBS in the morning... My 2c... ;]

This is exactly why I like you Joe.

get 2 steerer nuts and lock-nut them together as a pair with upper surface where you want to cut - then use as guide

if you want, do that again on steerer just over where you want cut too - leaving the gap in the middle only just bigger then the blade.

don't cut it unitl you have a least on nut lower than the cut on the thread - when you unwind it , it will clean ththread

get two nuts locked togehter just below cutting point and angle grind up to upper nut flange - for a clean cut and top
WIND THE NUTS DOWN A LITTLE finish with a file - BEFORE winding nuts off the steerer

Just fit the threared headset nut further down the steerer than you are cutting, then just mark with a bit of tape, so you cut straight, or I use a 4 1/2 grinder with the very thin cuttuing discs. Then just wind the nut off to clean the threads, a quick file and sorted.

just been directed to this thread and will give it ago tonight - thank you sheldon!