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How do you cut heavy duty chrome closet rods?

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brewsterb

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I've done a couple jobs that have used these heavy duty Chrome closet rods. The first couple of jobs I used a pipe cutter, but my arm nearly fell off and now the blade is all chipped up. This last job I used a hacksaw, faster than the pipe cutter but still very labour intensive when you have 25 or 30 rods to cut. Is there a blade I could put on my mitre saw that could work? Has anyone used a Freud Non-Ferrous blade on their saw for a job like this?

Any info would be appreciated.
 
#7 ·
I have the Milwaukee cordless 18v metal cutting saw, and the blade that came with it. Works great on all the odd metal pieces that carpenters come across on occasion. Cordless band saw would probably work well also.
 
#9 ·
fjn said:
I cut most of my metal bar / round stock with something like this.



http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-D28710...dp/B00551DJBQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459953281&sr=8-1&keywords=dewalt+chop+saw
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^ This is the right way, or even better would be one with a cold cut blade. They spin slower than a miter saw. They are heavy!

A portable bandsaw would work for cutting inside, but will still make a mess. The little M12 bandsaw would probably work well for that job. Good excuse to buy a new tool right?

Myself, I would use a battery powered brushless angle grinder, and cut outside.
 
#12 ·
J L said:
Kapex with a non ferrous metal blade with the speed turned down to 3 or 4. Perfect cut and very accurate.
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Why risk damaging a $1,500 saw cutting metal? Is the rod even non ferrous, or is it ferrous? Heavy duty chrome rod to me reads as ferrous. I know how much abuse my 14" Dewalt cut off saw takes cutting metal. I will cut small bits of aluminum with my 12" miter saw using a negative hook blade though.

Eaglei said:
Just put an aluminum oxide cut off wheel on your miter saw . After you cut it use the side of the cut off wheel to de-bur it . Wear eye protection !
Cost about $12 for a 12'' wheel .
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The sparks will make the clear shield turn opaque. Plus the speed is too much as they are not designed to spin that fast which makes it dangerous. Since a miter saw also doesn't cut very deep the blade won't last long as they are designed to wear down.
 
#17 ·
Metal chop saw usually. Have used a jig saw with a bi metal blade if only one or two, light sanding disc on grinder to smooth it up
 
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#20 ·
Eaglei said:
Just put an aluminum oxide cut off wheel on your miter saw . After you cut it use the side of the cut off wheel to de-bur it . Wear eye protection !
Cost about $12 for a 12'' wheel .
Click to expand...
Exactly. The heavy chrome rods will wreck a carbide blade very quickly. And if you're going to cut those rods with a blade that has teeth you better clamp it down hard and cut very carefully.

You can buy a cheap Rigid miter (not compound), put an abrasive blade on it, and cut all sorts of metal materials. Great for retail build-outs, which have clothes rods, display racks, tons of metal.
 
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