Blade to cut coarse threaded rod

[Charney]

I have to cut up a course threaded metal rod into 6 inch stretches and still be able to put a nut on both ends. I have an oscillating multi tool. What blade would you use for this? The ones I have say they’re meant for metal but they do a terrible job.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; A suggestion regardless of which tool you use to cut. Put a nut or two on before the cut is done. Preferably one nut on each side of the cut. That way the nut can be helpful when it comes to cleaning up the end of the cut piece. Sometimes just unscrewing the nut can clean up the threads enough so you can put a nut back on when assembling.

I have a few oscillating tools and several blades. Would not be my first choice to cut metal rods. That said i do not have all possible blades. The closest I have are a couple which say metal/wood. I find they will eventually cut thru a nail but takes a while and quickly wears out the tiny teeth. Good chance there are dedicated blades for cutting metal, I just have not looked.
I tend to use a reciprocating saw with a dedicated thick metal blade on things such as rebar, but an old-fashioned human powered hack saw works well.

Watch out for sharp metal on the cuts. Try not to rub a finger across a sharp edge. Might use a tringle file to clean up such. Ideally having a die of the proper size and thread count cleans up the treads but a file which fits in the thread groove works.

Good luck

 

[danotaylor]

The use of a vice to hold the rod completely still will also make your cuts as clean as possible

 

[RD.]

Diablo makes pretty good blades for oscillating tools. They fit Dewalt, not sure about other brands of tools.

 

[Sassafras]

I have good success making a clean enough cut to thread a nut onto with just a plain ole hacksaw. S skjl47 's tip on making the cut between two nuts is great. Use a stainless steel nut if you have it - harder steel for cleaning up the cut end of the threaded rod.

​

 

[Roger Mcfish]

Being a diesel technician for over 25 years, you do it the old school way. If you don't have the tools, you can bring to any garage let them cut it with 1/4 air die grinder with a cut off wheel attached.
When I make cuts like that, I run a nut on the threads first and then I'll slightly grind a cone edge where I cut. Once done, I'll run the nut off the rod where the cut is and run it back and forth over the threads and all done.

 

[Roger Mcfish]

I have good success making a clean enough cut to thread a nut onto with just a plain ole hacksaw. S skjl47 's tip on making the cut between two nuts is great. Use a stainless steel nut if you have it - harder steel for cleaning up the cut end of the threaded rod.

​

I wouldn't use stainless nuts. Very easy to strip if the cut area isn't cleaned properly and they don't do well with heat which will be generated after cutting.
A simple grade 8 nut works perfect.

 

[Stevecal]

hacksaw if making one cut if you don't have others powered tools or you can buy already cut to length