Hello 
After having visitors with dishonest intentions and ending up one stereo system poorer I have realized that preventive measures might be a good idea. The most theft-prone item now is my laptop, so I will secure it to the table. This will be done with a strong steel bracket and steel bars or whatever you want to call them.
I have bought axle steel (20 mm) from Clas Ohlson
http://www.clasohlson.se/Product/Category.aspx?id=251434#30-5642
And now this needs to be cut into four pieces and my question is:
How do I cut this axle steel so that the cut surface is as neat as possible? The pieces will stick up and be visible, and I want it to look nice and professional.
I have access to a hacksaw, an angle grinder, a miter saw (manual), but I'm happy to expand the toolbox if necessary.
After having visitors with dishonest intentions and ending up one stereo system poorer
I have realized that preventive measures might be a good idea. The most theft-prone item now is my laptop, so I will secure it to the table. This will be done with a strong steel bracket and steel bars or whatever you want to call them.I have bought axle steel (20 mm) from Clas Ohlson
http://www.clasohlson.se/Product/Category.aspx?id=251434#30-5642
And now this needs to be cut into four pieces and my question is:
How do I cut this axle steel so that the cut surface is as neat as possible? The pieces will stick up and be visible, and I want it to look nice and professional.
I have access to a hacksaw, an angle grinder, a miter saw (manual), but I'm happy to expand the toolbox if necessary.
Otherwise, 99.9% of all laptops have a slot for a lock cable. See link http://se.kensington.com/html/9840.html Simple and low cost
Then you lathe them, it will turn out the nicest ...torbeno said:How do I cut this axelstål so that the cut surface is as nice as possible? The pieces will stick up and be visible, and I want them to look neat and professional.
I have access to a hacksaw, angle grinder, miter saw (manual) but I'm happy to expand the toolbox if necessary.
And you did say you didn't mind expanding your tool arsenal, so... ;D ;D
If you don't want to buy a lathe, I think you should buy a deburring file, cut the rods with either the angle grinder or the hacksaw, then file the ends carefully.
The hardest part is usually getting a straight, perfect 90-degree cut. So be careful when you cut them. The second hardest thing will likely be achieving the same length.
Access to a vise, where you clamp the rods with a goatskin work glove or similar, will facilitate the operation.
Good luck, and hope you avoid more unpleasant surprises at home.
Yes, simple and low cost but completely ineffective! At my previous job, I had such a lock cable for the laptop. When the thieves had been there, the cable was still nicely on the table. They probably took a firm grip of the laptop and tugged it, and presto, the PC was free from the cable.piece said:
If possible, try to keep it in a locked cabinet when not in use.
Hello!
Thanks for all the answers.
The Kensington cable is ruled out, as I had a similar one for the stereo...
This time, the thieves will need to be well-equipped. The bracket that goes over the computer is 45x8 mm of high-quality steel, and the four rods with a 20 mm diameter are unlikely to be sawed or cut by hand. The bracket will be locked from underneath with two Assa Abloy class 2 locks.
I don't have space for a lathe at home as it looks today, but that day will come.
Is a deburring file a special type of file?
I have a set of regular metal files, but I was planning to minimize the post-work as much as possible.
The exact length isn't very important if it's off by a few mm here or there, as this can be adjusted from underneath where it's not visible.
I stopped by the hardware store today and saw that there was a blade for metal cutting for my miter saw for a few hundred. I'll test it.
An alternative is to go to my local blacksmith, but it would be fun to do it myself.
I'll get back with the results.
Thanks for all the answers.
The Kensington cable is ruled out, as I had a similar one for the stereo...
This time, the thieves will need to be well-equipped. The bracket that goes over the computer is 45x8 mm of high-quality steel, and the four rods with a 20 mm diameter are unlikely to be sawed or cut by hand. The bracket will be locked from underneath with two Assa Abloy class 2 locks.
I don't have space for a lathe at home as it looks today, but that day will come.
Is a deburring file a special type of file?
I have a set of regular metal files, but I was planning to minimize the post-work as much as possible.
The exact length isn't very important if it's off by a few mm here or there, as this can be adjusted from underneath where it's not visible.
I stopped by the hardware store today and saw that there was a blade for metal cutting for my miter saw for a few hundred. I'll test it.
An alternative is to go to my local blacksmith, but it would be fun to do it myself.
I'll get back with the results.
Yes, there is a risk that they might damage the computer, but locking it up is not an option for me, it would be such a hassle to drag it out every time. :-/
Another possible scenario is that they take the whole table with them, but bolting it to the floor, no, you have to draw the line somewhere...
Cutting with the angle grinder... I already feel that I won't get nice 90-degree cuts, but if it doesn't work any other way then so be it.
Thanks for all the ideas so far.
I will brainstorm further on this and try cutting with the angle grinder.
Another possible scenario is that they take the whole table with them, but bolting it to the floor, no, you have to draw the line somewhere...
Cutting with the angle grinder... I already feel that I won't get nice 90-degree cuts, but if it doesn't work any other way then so be it.
Thanks for all the ideas so far.
I will brainstorm further on this and try cutting with the angle grinder.
Feel free to try cutting with your hacksaw, but securing the workpiece properly is almost a requirement if you want good results. No matter what you cut with.
Buy a new blade if it's bad, and feel free to ask for a fine-toothed one (more teeth/inch). Not absolutely necessary, but it can improve precision.
A deburring file is just a fine-cut metal file, at least in my world. But maybe I'm confused about the terminology, it wouldn't be the first time.
Buy a new blade if it's bad, and feel free to ask for a fine-toothed one (more teeth/inch). Not absolutely necessary, but it can improve precision.
A deburring file is just a fine-cut metal file, at least in my world. But maybe I'm confused about the terminology, it wouldn't be the first time.