Cutting Stainless Steel Tube

[Davey]

Hello,

We’ve decided to replace the handrail on the steps leading to our back garden with something like this: https://www.dciron.co.uk/products/ssbt11342

The tube is 316 Grade stainless steel, 42.4mm diameter with 2mm wall thickness.

Unfortunately the supplier is unable to cut the tube to the lengths required.

Please can somebody advise on the best way to cut this?

A previous post said that “tube cutters dont do s/steel that thick”. Is that correct?

I did consider a slitting disc in an angle grinder but I’m worried I won’t be able to cut it square enough.

Any ideas please?

Thank you

 

[cdbe]

A slit blade in a grinder would do it (you could make a jig if your hands aren't that steady. If you have a chop saw a stainless blade would do it.

 

[johnny2007]

Wrap seller tape along the cut line and when you're happy that's square, use it as a guide.

 

[jj4091]

Get someone to turn the tube in what ever you use to support it. if you decide to use tape as a marker then put it a few mm away from the cut line as it will probably melt as the pipe heats during cutting.
You can cut it with a hacksaw and file but it's hard work if you have a lot to do and you can still run off square.
If you are using the S/S plug in ends in the hand rail then it is noticeable if your cuts are out of square but not so noticeable on upright supports.

 

[opps]

Years ago, I had to cut mitres in 6" SS worktop upstands, they were SS folded around 18mm plywood. The longest cut around the glass bricks would have been 8.5".

I used the bi-metal saw blade in my Nobex Champion hand mitre saw. It was slow, but the cuts were pretty much spot on.

Unfortunately, I think they have stopped making the 32 TPI bi metal blades.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Please can somebody advise on the best way to cut this?

Grinder, fitted with a thin cutting blade. SS work hardens very easily, wrecking hacksaw blades.