Cutting spring wire

[Geoff TheasbyParticipant @geofftheasby]

Hello,

I need to dismantle an old bed, as it won't go through the door and down the stairs (it came in through the window when we had double glazing installed)

The frame is wood, so that's not a problem, but the springs are interlinked and I need to cut them to reduce the bed to managable proportions.

The springs are about 1mm spring wire, and none of my existing cutters or wire-cutting pliers will touch them. Are ther wire cutters that will do this, or should I go down the angle grinder route? (I haven't got an angle grinder)

Regards

Geoff

[Geoff TheasbyParticipant @geofftheasby]

[MikeParticipant @mike89748]

Bought during my aeromodelling days more than 30 years ago I have a pair of piano tuner's wire cutters which will chomp through piano wire well over 1mm. I've just "Googled" for a similar pair, and note that good piano wire cutters are £30 plus – probably not worth the expenditure for one job. Bolt cutters might do the job – perhaps you have a pal who could lend you a pair?

[Geoff TheasbyParticipant @geofftheasby]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for that. I did wonder about bolt cutters. I don't know of anyone who has some, unless the model engineering club has them. I might never need the bolt cutters again either…

Regards

Geoff

[TrickyParticipant @tricky]

I have had to do this a couple of times and have used the side cutters on a pair of pliers without any problems although it is advisable to wear gloves because of the sharp cut ends!

Richard

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

The little cutting discs on Dremel type devices are quite good for this – might be more use to you than an angle grinder. My other suggestion is that locally annealing the spring wire with a gas torch might make it soft enough to cut with your existing tools.

Good luck

Rod

[MICHAEL WILLIAMSParticipant @michaelwilliams41215]

There is a time for sophistication and there is a time for butchery in engineering ! Try using two large pliers and bending wire back and forth a few times – should snap after a few good bends .

MikeW

[Geoff TheasbyParticipant @geofftheasby]

Hmmm, using a gas torch in the vicinity of soft furnishings might be problematic. I don't want the bedroom smelling of smoke.

My wife has a good idea. We might be able to remove the springs as a unit apart from the frame.

Regards

Geoff

[Geoff TheasbyParticipant @geofftheasby]

Hmmm, using a gas torch in the vicinity of soft furnishings might be problematic. I don't want the bedroom smelling of smoke.

My wife has a good idea. We might be able to remove the springs as a unit apart from the frame.

Regards

Geoff

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

Good old fashioned pliers will handle such cuts using the "shearing" notch on the outside of the pivot area of the jaws. That's the sort of job it's there for. Wouldn't care to risk the sharp edge of the wire cutting sections inside the jaws however good the pliers, altho' I have seen it done. Unfortunately many of the modern, especially in the more affordable ranges, pliers lack the outside notch and some that do haven't the requisite clean faces and crisp edge. Even the excellent Eclipse made pair I keep for best has no notch. A combination fencing tool probably has the requisite cutter section but is about 30 years since I used one so memory may not be right.

Clive

[VCParticipant @vc44480]

Think the wife has the best solution…

But how about a BIG cold chisel BIG hammer BIG piece of steel (Railway line)

BIG clout end of spring yes ???

[capnahabParticipant @capnahab]

http://www.tooled-up.com/ManSubCategory.asp?MID=FEL&CID=14&SCID=710

they do the job , might find some on the bay.

[SpringbokParticipant @springbok]

Good pair of boltcutters you can hire them for the day our caretaker used to go round all the cycle sheds after the term ended with one cutting off all the chains kids had have left because the lost the keys, there was also a few unclaimed cycles. Sold them of to charity. Have a chat with your local school caretaker (if they still have one)

regards

Bob

[Terry LaneParticipant @terrylane]

Man!!! Talk about a sledge hammer to crack a nut, any half decent set of side cutters 6" or above should handle 1mm spring wire with ease.

[Peter G. ShawParticipant @peterg-shaw75338]

If this bed is what I am thinking it is, ie an interlinked mesh with springs around the edge, I wonder if it would be possible to unclip all the springs and then roll up the wire mesh. If this can be done, then it would be reasonably easy to manhandle out of the house.

Regards,

Peter G. Shaw

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

I agree with Peter, but if you have too cut it up, rather than the 30 pound cutters above you can proberbly get an angle grinder for half that (here its often cheaper to buy than hire for half a day), we use them here comercially, and they sometimes even last a year or so (got a box of stuffed ones), but as Tel says, a good pair of pliers should do it, how about fencing pliers, minr are in the form of a multi use fencing tool, combining pincers(removing staples),pliers, wire cutters and a hammer. Overall length 10". Modern fencing wire here and Austrailia is high tensile, about 10 gauge, a little nick, and a twist, and it breaks.

Ian S C

[Geoff TheasbyParticipant @geofftheasby]

My wife's idea of removing the springs as a unit worked! The nests of springs were stapled to the frame. Removing the staples released the spring units. Being bendy, we got both spring units down the stairs with no problem, all that remains is to saw the frame up, and, as there is no fabric or springs to catch in the saw, that should be an easy job. No tools to buy or borrow, nothing to catch fire, thank you Guys! (And Deborah!) Now to the tip, with the spring units in the back of the Volvo.

Regards

Geoff

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

I see problem solved, but my ancient chinese 'DIAMOND' (spelled DIA MDND on one handle) 6" combination pliers will cut hardened piano wire well above 1mm.

Someone at work has a little set of bolt cutters, just about 8" long – dead cute and idea for this sort of task.

Neil

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