How to cut Threaded Rod

As not all threaded rod is used in full lengths, there may be times when you need to cut a length down to suit your particular application. It may sound easy enough, but it is important to cut the bar neatly and squarely without damaging the thread.

There are three common ways of making a cut in a threaded bar;

Threaded Rod Cutter

As this is a specialised and fairly expensive tool it is only really practical if you regularly need to cut threaded rods. That being said, this type of cutter gives a precise and clean-cut and it is simple to use.

Before you buy, be sure to check that the tool in question is suitable for your rod size as different sizes of cutter are available.

ROD CUTTER

Hacksaw

Using a hacksaw is probably the most common method of cutting threaded bar, but there is a process to be observed to make sure that you don’t damage the thread.

Take a small block of wood, and make a small vertical cut in it. Then drill a hole through the middle of the cut from the perpendicular angle. The hole should be just large enough to push the rod through without damaging it. Once in place, secure the rod with a nut on either side of the block and clamp the block in a vice. Use your hacksaw to make a square cut through the bar using the guide cut that you made earlier.

CUT USING A HACKSAW

Once the rod has been cut through, release the nuts. The action of undoing the nuts from the bar will remove any burrs from the cut end and generally tidy up the cut.

Angle Grinder

Wrap the rod in a thick cloth and secure it in a vice. The cloth protects the thread from being damaged by the vice. Alternatively use the block clamp method as detailed above.

Use your angle grinder to carefully cut through the bar. Note – the bar will get hot so don’t touch it with your bare hands until it has cooled.

ANGLE GRINDER