Hey guys and gals... I was wondering what methods people are using to shave off cable guides from a steel frame... I was thinking of bringing the frame to a frame builder to be taken off but figured I would try to see here first if it can be done myself...

Another related question... How much would be a resonable fee that you would pay to have it done professionally...

Thanks for any replies...
Jason

How I did it: hacksaw and file.
Time: about 5 minutes

Exactly. A framebuilder? Are you kidding?..just cut em off nice like with a hacksaw blade and file afterwards. Add touch up paint to avoid the rust. What secret magic would a builder do? He'd do the same thing.

Saw and file is the best, pick up a little auto touchup paint so you're not planting the seeds of rust. You can do it with a torch, but it's a crapshoot as to whether it will mess up your finish.

definitly paint over it after. I did mine when I was repainted my frame and you wouldn't know that guides were ever there.

Don't tell the cranky and vintage guys what you're talking about...

i've heard of dremeling cable guides off... but the most common method i've seen is hacksaw and file.

take your time with the filing! my first conversion (schwinn continental) is sporting some pretty serious flaws from filing down cable guides too quickly. sit down and take your time.

The hacksaw will take most of it off. That guides are a lot softer than the frame and come off fairly easy, so you'll only really use the file to smooth it mostly.

Dremel takes it off like a hot knife to butter.

I'm going to dremel mine when I get ready to have it sandblasted for fresh color.

use a chisel and hammer, they pop right off.

I just gnaw them off.

Ok, I'll say it - Why?

Their weight is oppressive......seriously if you don't use cables(brakes) why have 'em? Empty cable hangers spoil the "clean" look.

I used an industrial grinder it worked but i now have some marks around the guides it was a bit heavy & hard to handle. Wish i had of used a file, but i touched every thing up with some auto touch up paint & looks nice and clean.
Cheers
Also I went to a frame repair place they wanted 15.00 a piece.
DIY

my roommate yanked his off with pliers and then filed

A torch is the best way to get them off, but only if your frame is unpainted. A propane one will do.

Would this sort of minor surgery be out of the question on an aluminum frame?

no, just take it slow and steady.

+1. Think really clearly about every cut you make, because it's a pain in the ass if you want any of that metal back. Don't get greedy or impatient.

Just hacksaw most of it off and then carefully file it smooth. If you aren't used to a dremel or grinder, it is very easy to grind off too much. None of this is difficult. Just go slowly and be patient.

Also remember that, like a saw, a file only cuts on the push stroke.

Actually, if you screw up and take too much off its not the end of the word. You can always use a little JB Weld as filler.

Don't do it to anything nice. That's all I got to say. Old Nishikis, Miyatas, Centurions, and other bike-boom era frames are fair game. Your dad's Merckx, Colnago, or Ciocc is not.

Also
I had mine just sitting on there and my shorts/pants kept getting caught in the rear one so thats the main reason for removal. they are kinda ugly just sitting there though

+1

A dremel, even a cheap one, is a rad thing to have around in your tool kit. Good for that stuff, and cleaning off rust, grinding down bolts and bits, etc. I think you can get them for around $40. Totally worth it.