cutting slits into bars?

[Robert Reichley]

im buying bars the perfect height for me from my friend. but he was using SCS with it so theres no slit.. only metal working toold i have is a hack saw and a drill with metal drill bits. can i make a good slit with these?

 

[Bear Grylls]

Yea, just make one the length of your clamp
Will take some time though

 

[Broccoli1]

PIA to do it with a hacksaw unless you go with a slit on both sides.

If you only want One slit it is a wee bit more of a pain because the blade will hit the other side of the tubing.

1. Drill the hole first

Mark the Tubing where you want the Slit to end: 1-1/2" is usually good depends on your clamp.
It is best to use a Center punch so there is a little indentation for the Drill bit to fit into on tubing- If you don't have one then use a nail and start with a small drill bit. Bits tend to walk around the tubing without a Center Punched mark.

Then use a 5/32" or 3/16" bit to finish up the hole.

2. Then start cutting towards the hole.

 

[iliveinahouse1]

you would have to do 2 cuts, because a 1mm slit is not big enough. and at the top you have to drill a 5mm hole

 

[instinctscooter]

you dont have to drill a hole, you can just slit with a hacksaw,simple

 

[Broccoli1]

you dont have to drill a hole, you can just slit with a hacksaw,simple

You really should drill the hole: sounds counterintuitive but the HOLE actually stops the bars from cracking right up the slit.