Mast cutting!

[jssailem]

Remember the carpenters motto measure twice cut once... measure once cut a couple of times.... Opps.

 

[Allan12210]

Remember the carpenters motto measure twice cut once... measure once cut a couple of times.... Opps.

Also remember:"Darn, I cut it twice and it's still too short!"

 

[dlochner]

I assume I don't need to get fancy. A sharp hack saw and a cutters block will cut it straight?

A compound miter saw or chop with a metal cutting blade may be more accurate.

 

[JRacer]

A compound miter saw or chop with a metal cutting blade may be more accurate.

Yes, you definitely want that cut to be square to the mast.

 

[CloudDiver]

The problem isn't the saw (either a miter box or a compound power saw), the challenge is the set up. You'll have to set the saw on a table and then use at least two or three, but four is better, sawhorses to support the length of the mast and be level with the cutting surface. I have foldable sawhorses that have adjustable feet, I set them at the highest so the are above the level of my work surface because when the saw is set up the mast section is about 2 to 3 inches off the surface of the table. A couple packs of plastic shims helps level up all the sawhorses and even the saw or miter box. Just make sure the mast is fully seated and squared up, clamp it down. Nothing should move while you cut.

 

[Drew13440]

Another vote for a chop saw. Borrow one from a buddy and buy an appropriate blade. You'll never get a square cut with a hack saw.

 

[heritage]

Why not take a large hose clamp and place it where you want the cut and then make the cut with a hacksaw using the edge of the clamp as a guide. You could even use two hose clamps spaced apart at the thickness of the hacksaw blade.

 

[dlochner]

As the hacksaw blade gets warm from cutting it will elongate, it will then drift and the cut won't be square.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

personally I'd use a metal cutting wheel in an angle grinder. With the hose clamp as a guide

 

[CloudDiver]

How much do you all want to bet I could get a square cut with a hacksaw?

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

How much do you all want to bet I could get a square cut with a hacksaw?

lol don't doubt it. So could I, but slowly

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Probably the original mast and boom may have come from Dwyer mast