Bicycle Mechanics - Anyone ever cut base of a quill stem?

any issues with performing such an operation? put the stem in a mitre box or whatever the thing is called, cut with hack saw at an angle and put the bolt and wedge back on? i have trouble finding a stem that's just what i'm looking for so how about ... customizing one a little eh?

any issues with performing such an operation? put the stem in a mitre box or whatever the thing is called, cut with hack saw at an angle and put the bolt and wedge back on? i have trouble finding a stem that's just what i'm looking for so how about ... customizing one a little eh?

Doing such would obviously invalidate the minimum insertion mark, so you'd have to measure out and mark a new one. I'm having trouble understanding why you would need to shorten the length of the quill, since it's inside the steerer tube. Or is the quill just freaking unbelievable long?

Quill is a touch long indeed... and for some reason, most stems I get need to be sanded to go in generally at all past their minimum point... a couple of cheap stems went in alright, but any quality stems don't... so I reckon if I cut it, I might get a better height... obviously I'd have to re-calibrate the minimum point... that wouldn't be a problem...

might ask the shop if they have any precision milling/reeming machine that could take shave off a hair of the inside diameter of the steerer...

Does the stem not fit, or are you wanting to lighten it up a bit? If it's too long, you may need to cut off the wedge bolt as well.

Interesting idea since most stems are, if anything, rather short.

Hopefully, the stem has the same cross-section where you cut it as it does at the end. If the walls are thinner then there may not be enough material to support the wedge. Other than that, be sure to smooth up the cut so the wedge will slide and, as dobber said, move the minimum insertion line up by the amount you cut off.

might ask the shop if they have any precision milling/reeming machine that could take shave off a hair of the inside diameter of the steerer...

Forks cost too much, I'd work the stem before the fork.

I cut the quill of my extra long Nitto stem. I used a compound miter saw with a metal pipe cut-off blade. I used a shorter stem bolt from another stem.

George

my friend is going to cut off some of the nitto technomic (225mm length) stem that i gave him

I cut the quill of my extra long Nitto stem. I used a compound miter saw with a metal pipe cut-off blade. I used a shorter stem bolt from another stem.

George

Heh, good call on the bolt, I would have forgotten about that no doubt until i went to put the old bolt back in and muttered "oh yeah, of course." Well, when time comes, I'm just gonna hack saw it at the proper angle... thanks everybody.

any issues with performing such an operation? put the stem in a mitre box or whatever the thing is called, cut with hack saw at an angle and put the bolt and wedge back on? i have trouble finding a stem that's just what i'm looking for so how about ... customizing one a little eh?

Then what are you planning to use for a stem bolt?

A shorter one.