Official Luthiers Forum!

OK, so this is a bit off topic but this was the only place I knew to ask. I have and 8'x3/4" stainless steel rod I need to cut in half. I have a bench grinder as well as a hand held grinder. Which do you suggest I use, what wheel do I need to get.

Thanks
Richard

If you have an angle grinder, you can get cut off wheels for metal at home depot or other home improvement stores. For one cut on 3/4" stock there is always a hack saw.

_________________
Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

I would go with the cut wheel on the grinder. Get a few wheels. Stainless eats up bi metal portaband blades quickly, couldn't imagine trying to cut it by hand. Not saying it couldn't be done, just that I'm not as persistent.

_________________
Kyle

You could have cut that with a hack saw in the time it took to ask that question. Or gotten a neighbor kid to do it

What Todd said
Problem with a grinder is that stainless will work harden when it gets hot.
You can cut it
but probably only once without special equipment.

Tim

Mills care about the work hardening, grinders don't.

The hacksaw recommendation is good, so far as getting it done goes. If you're using cut-off discs (zip discs), I'd recommend against using the cheap ones as they can (and will) explode with the slightest shock. If I have to use them for some reason, I put on full coveralls, welding gloves, face mask...whole deal. The ones from welding or industrial supply places last waaaay longer and stink less, too.

_________________
Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

....not 3/4" stainless, i'm afraid.....

"mills care about work hardening, grinders don't"

Probably more accurate to say cutting tools care about work hardening. If the material work hardens, it will be a PITA to use anything made out of HSS, tool steel
and/or carbide on it. Grinders don't care, neither do arc welders

In all fairness, No one knows what kind of stainless the OP is using or what he is doing with it after it is cut in half. There are more than 50 different grades of stainless and numerous modifications to each series depending on the application. Some are cast, some are wrought, some can be heat treated, some have elements added to make them free machining. Your application is important for selecting the proper grade.
I'm assuming that what the OP is using is 304 or some variation of that, probably L. Also assuming that the OP wants to do more that cut it in half and pound the altered end into the ground, which means he probably wants to make something with it, or at least clean it up. Maybe I am wrong. Forty+ years of experience has also shown me that 304L does change its physical properties, albeit slightly, when heated. But that probably won't matter to most.

Tim

I'm not sure what grade it is. I'm using it to make 2 cajun anchors. Basically cut it in 3 and 5 foot lengths, drill a hole in the top end for an anchor shackle to tie to the rope to, and sharpen the bottom to a dull point like a spear. Any change in the properties of the SS will not matter. I do a lot of shallow water fishing around Beaufort SC. These work great to anchor a boat in the soft bottom mud. You can buy them but they are about $100 each.

Richard

I have never cut SS rod, but I have cut a ton of 1/2 & 5/8" rebar using a hand grinder and a cutoff disc. Goes through it almost like butter.

_________________
Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust