cutting a ~ 1 inch think steel pipe - use a hacksaw?

Question

Hi all,I have a old basketball pole, backboard etc that came with our house.I am looking to replace the fixed height backboard with an adjustablebackboard kit for my young kids.  But the original has a 'frame' madeup of ~ 1 inch thick pipes ( I am guessing steel) that I need toremove.  The frame held the backboard.I saw another post (Need to cut 1/4 or even 3/8 steel, anything at HomeDepot or Lowes) that suggested a good hacksaw frame and blades wil dothe trick.A time estimate was given of about 5 minutes on that one.  Since I have4 I am thinking 30 minutes for all 4?  Can anyone validate this logicfor me?  I am trying to put up a new basketball backboard for a 31March birthday and the existing pole seems fine, albeit rusty.Thanks for your time.

Nick Müller · Accepted Answer

Angel grinder. 230mm disk, 2kW.1 minute maximum.Nick

Newshound · Answer

Well, it depends a bit on the pipe wall thickness, also whether the access is good and whether you can hold them firmly. It should be practicable. If the pipe wall is thin (like, electrical conduit) you might find a "Junior Hacksaw" easier if there's stuff in the way of a big one. Often jobs like this are easier with a 4 inch angle grinder.

pdrahn · Answer

If you have or can get one of the 5" grinders and couple of blades, youcan burn through the steel a lot faster than cutting. A 6" or largergrinder will go even faster. Paul

Wayne · Answer

If you decide to go with a hacksaw get a High Speed Steel blade,not the carbon steel one. It's well worth the extra cost.Wayne D.

David Billington · Answer

From my experience living in the states up until 1982 they don't have junior hacksaws. On at least one occasion a neighbour with a VW was very pleased I had one brought back from the UK, as it was able to access and cut some items he was not able to do with any other tools at his disposal. It's definitely a useful tool as although I don't use it often, when required it may be the only tool for the job.Newshound wrote:

Robin S. · Answer

The blade will probably be labelled as "bimetal" which means it has high-speed steel teeth with a more flexible (perhaps spring steel) back. It is possible to find solid high-speed steel blades, but they're uncommon and not very tolerant of an unsteady hand.

I'd recommend an 18 TPI blade. Starrett blades are excellent. Don't go for the grey-flex as they are not bimetal. The bluestripe ones are ideal but the greenstripe will do well also.

Regards,

Robin

Andrew VK3BFA · Answer

A 4 inch angle grinder is incredibly cheap - less than $20. Get one,you wont regret it - very useful tool.......Andrew VK3BFA.

Nick Müller · Answer

. Yes, I always confuse the two spellings.Nick, not really angel-like

cutting a ~ 1 inch think steel pipe - use a hacksaw?

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