The Miter block
The mighty miter block. What would I do without it? This tool has mitered out a niche in my workshop that nothing can replace. It's putative use is to cut fork steer columns. In the old days, this was even easier than it is now, because my miter block comes with three apertures: two threaded and one not. Formerly you just screwed the threaded steel steer column into the miter block and then cut. Forget that nowadays, because there are no more threaded steerers.
The other aperture through which you stick things is just a big hole, and you clamp down on whatever it is you want to cut. Then slide your hack saw back and forth through a guide and you get a nice, straight, square cut.
That's how you cut steerers these days. But I cut all sorts of things in my miter block, most notably aero bar extensions. But you could cut anything with it. I think it should be featured in gangster movies. It would work perfectly as an de-digitizer (a finger cutter-offer).
Of course, you can cut your aerobar extensions with a tubing cutter: the type that has a circular "blade" that your turn around the thing you want to cut, ever tightening the handle. But you can't do that with carbon extensions. Those you must cut with a hacksaw fitted with either a 32-teeth-per-inch blade or a carbide blade.
If you're going to miter a carbon steerer, or a carbon aero bar extension, with this sort of miter block, make sure you're careful not to clamp down on the steerer too hard.
This tool is held in place in your bench vise. I call it a miter block, but it's variously called a Fork Saw Guide or Steerer Cutting Guide. It's also called Park Tools SG-6. You probably shouldn't have to pay more than $30 for it (look for our ad in Mobster's Monthly).
