HSS

[richard 2Participant @richard2]

Happy New Year to all.

I have some 100cm lengths of HSS that I would like to cut in approx 50 cm lengths.

Would someone tell me how to cut it, please, before I either make a hash of it or do some damage?

Many thanks.

Richard.

[richard 2Participant @richard2]

[Bob Brown 1Participant @bobbrown1]

I would use a small angle grinder (4 or 4.5&quot with a thin 1mm cutting disc and some water to cool it, I do not mean chuck water at as you cut as electrics and water are not a good mix.

Bob

[Steve FParticipant @stevef]

Hi

Last time i did it i think i ran a dremel grinding disc around it .Then put it in a vice and gave it a wack with a hammer.

Whilst wearing eye protection of course. I think i wrapped a rag around it whilst wacking it

regards

Steve

Edited By Steve F on 05/01/2015 21:50:48

[S.D.L.Participant @s-d-l]

Put a groove on each side with tool of choice ( offhand grinder, angle grinder dremmel etc) wrap in rag and put in vice with groove out of jaws, hit with big hammer. If doesn't break get bigger hammer.

Steve

[Frank.N StormParticipant @frank-nstorm18349]

Must be a large lathe which uses 50 cm tool bits. I surely hope the cross-section is in the appropriate scale also.

Bad that you only get two our of your 100 cm bar.

Regards, Frank

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Don't use water to cool it. HSS can be red hot without losing hardness, but putting it hot into cold water can cause cracks.

Neil

[CirclipParticipant @circlip]

Dressmakers and knitters sizes. Yes Frank 1000mm cut down to 500mm must be a long toolpost or for a planing machine?

Regards Ian.

[richard 2Participant @richard2]

Thanks everyone.

Problem solved BUT finger trouble!

The size of the blanks is 100mm not cm!

Richard

[chris stephensParticipant @chrisstephens63393]

Hi Neil, agree entirely but when you have to cool it, to save singed fingers, "plunge" from the cold end, so there is far less thermal shock to the hot bit. Added bonus, cools the fingers too.

chriStephens

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Or hold it in a toolmaker's clamp or a QCTP holder!

Neil

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

I find a pair of Vice Grips are handy for holding bits of HSS when grinding, it helps in keeping fingers well away from the grinder.

Ian S C

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Wet grinder

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

> Wet grinder

Plutocrat!

Neil

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Has anyone ever considered cutting with spark erosion using an electrode shaped to minimise subsequent grinding? A sort of N at an angle would do.

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