How do you cut your tang?

[larkmaj]

I considered making this a poll but I figured many people have their own special way of doing it.

I'm guessing many people use the hacksaw which I did up until recently. I would then say the second most common is the dremel, though i could be wrong as I have yet to successfully cut a tang with a dremel, although I haven't tried very hard and our rotary tool and cutting discs are not very good.

So I was wondering if anybody has a special way of cutting their tangs. I'll post my way when I can actually think straight.

[El Chucko]

When you can get ahold of one, a bolt-cutter is a wonderful thing.

[Purple Fencer]

Hacksaw's a pain in the butt and takes too long.

Used to use "nail clippers" (bolt cutters), but it was another pain in the butt to have to spin a cutting die down the tang, use the bolt cutters, then spin the die off to chase the threads because the cutters crimp the top threads down...and if you're not careful or use a restraining device, the tang goes flying.

Now I use a dremel, but you have to use the reinforced fibreglass cutting wheels. The emery board ones are FAR too delicate for that kind of work. A fairly clean cut, easy to do, and plenty of entertaining sparks on a non-FIE blade.

[fencerbill]

Originally Posted by Purple Fencer

Hacksaw's a pain in the butt and takes too long.

Not if you get good hacksaw blades. Four or five strokes and you are done.

For hacksaw, bolt cutters, or Dremel, taper shoulders on the remainder with a grinding wheel. Any kind of pommel starts easier. The ugly end left by the bolt cutter makes tang length more critical with inside hex or screwdriver pommel.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by fencerbill

Not if you get good hacksaw blades. Four or five strokes and you are done.

You must be very strong!

I cut the tangs using this device (whatever it's called in english). Once the correct length I need only to 'clear' the threads (?) using this thingie and then bend the tang as desired. Voilá!

(Ahem, as you see I lack the correct terms in english but from the pics I added you ought to get a hint... )

[Allez]

I use the same method that Purple Fencer first mentioned: spin a die down the tang, use bolt cutters, spin it back up and file the bottom a little if need be.

[PeterGustafsson]

Hi!

Originally Posted by Zilverzmurfen

I cut the tangs using this device (whatever it's called in english). Once the correct length I need only to 'clear' the threads (?) using this thingie and then bend the tang as desired. Voilá!

(Ahem, as you see I lack the correct terms in english but from the pics I added you ought to get a hint... )

Gängsnitt = Threading die
Gängkloppa = Die stock
Svängjärn = Tap wrench
Gängtapp = Threading tap
Bänkslipmaskin = Bench grinding machine


Have a nice time!

Peter Gustafsson

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by PeterGustafsson

Peter Gustafsson

Peter, the living dictionary!

(Thanks.)

[yeoldearmourer]

I prefer the bolt cutter myself but have used hacksaw , dermal mentod as well. What I can't stand is some one not using a Hacksaw correcting the teeth on the blade only go one way

[fencerbill]

Originally Posted by Zilverzmurfen

You must be very strong!

I cut the tangs using this device (whatever it's called in english). Once the correct length I need only to 'clear' the threads (?) using this thingie and then bend the tang as desired. Voilá!

(Ahem, as you see I lack the correct terms in english but from the pics I added you ought to get a hint... )

This is what we mean by bolt cutters.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=41150

The bench grinding machine is what I use after cutting the tang to make it easier to get the pommel on.

[Purple Fencer]

I should clarify....a hacksaw won't work for me at a tournament because my vise is not mounted to the table (won't fit....nothing to grab onto), but onto a portable workbench. Too much movement if I try the hacksaw route. And since there's no bench grinder, I can't dress the end.

I prefer to standardize my procedures...the dremel works everywhere, while the hacksaw doesn't at shows, and the bolt cutters have their own risks (tang flying)

[ChrisBrasel]

Huge bolt cutters like fencerbill put up. Screw it into a vise and fix up the threads with a file. Use a tang bender that absolue sent us, and bada bing bada boom.

[Slim]

RotoZip with a cutting wheel. Super clean cut in about 3 seconds. Never had to rethread either.

[yeoldearmourer]

If using bolt cutters run a chain off the end with a clip and clip on the end of the tang were it would not go flying off

[pgepps]

I cut Tang with Vodka. (don't hurt me)

Hacksaw or bolt cutter, prefer the bolt cutter when possible.

[Inquartata]

I cut them with my sharp wits.

Actually, it's been a long time since I had to cut a sabre tang at all. They all seem to fit into my sabres without modification. A plus if you need to change a broken blade in a hurry...

[HookUpandFence]

Add my vote to the Dremel group. The regular cutting disks work if you go a little slow. Bout 15-20 seconds. Then the flat of the disk can clean up the cut if needed. And it fits neatly in ye ol' tool box.

[El Chucko]

Originally Posted by Zilverzmurfen

I cut the tangs using this device (whatever it's called in english). Once the correct length I need only to 'clear' the threads (?) using this thingie and then bend the tang as desired. Voilá!

(Ahem, as you see I lack the correct terms in english but from the pics I added you ought to get a hint... )

Adorable.

[mrbiggs]

Originally Posted by fencerbill

Not if you get good hacksaw blades. Four or five strokes and you are done.

Yeah, that's what I've found, but I go through blades pretty quickly. The first 2 or 3 times I use it, it's 5-10 strokes, then it's more like 20, then it's 5 minutes of work. I don't know how much they cost because I'm still mooching off my dad's unused collection.

[DHCJr]

Originally Posted by yeoldearmourer

I prefer the bolt cutter myself but have used hacksaw , dermal mentod as well. What I can't stand is some one not using a Hacksaw correcting the teeth on the blade only go one way

I use all of the methods, depending on the circumstances. I want to reiterate, when using bolt cutters, use a clip to keep it from flying.

I have gotten away from hacksaw blades for the reason above. I have switched to carbide blades, which don't have the bias of one direction. If you do use a hacksaw blade make sure and go only in the direction of the cutting edge.