Hey DIY community! I'm looking for some advice on installing a Muzata cable railing system indoors. I need to cut stainless steel rectangular tube handrails for this project, but I'm not experienced with metalworking and likely won't be doing it again after this. I'm hoping to make clean, precise angled cuts, especially at corners for smoother railing runs. I don't want a clunky look that you see in some cable railing setups.
I've got a couple of options in mind:
1. A Portable Band Saw for about $170.
2. A Chop Saw with a dry cut disk for around $120.
With only about 20-30 cuts needed, and cut quality being more important than speed for me, which saw would you suggest? Or is there a third option I should be looking at instead? I'd really appreciate any insights, especially if you've tackled stainless handrails with budget tools!
7 Answers
Having worked with stainless steel for years, let me emphasize that cutting stainless is tough. Cheap tools often won’t give you the results you want. The fetchingly flowing lines you're after are usually best achieved with custom fabrications. Builders and fabricators really know how to create those seamless rail runs, so keep building codes in mind. I'd suggest following the manufacturer's instructions for best results.
For a budget-friendly option, Harbor Freight has a decent band saw for about $100. It could be worth a look!
If you don’t mind some elbow grease, you could use a hacksaw with a miter box! But if you want power, renting a chop saw is a solid choice—it'll be easier than using a band saw for this project.
Just a quick warning: cutting stainless steel releases harmful hexavalent chromium dust. If you do cut it, make sure to wear a P100 respirator. Normal N95 masks won’t cut it, believe me. Stay safe out there!
Appreciate the heads up! Just to confirm, an N95 mask won't be enough; I’ll definitely look for something better.
As a builder, I've worked with a lot of handrail systems. While I'm not familiar with Muzata, I suggest checking out some other brands like View Rail or RailFX for better options. You mentioned wanting clean cuts without welding, which can be tricky. A stationary adjustable miter band saw would be best for accurate cuts, along with a disk grinder for any fine-tuning. Just a heads up, making those precise angled cuts is challenging without a jig, especially with stainless steel. You might want to consider connectors to help with alignment instead of making joints that could misalign.
Exactly, I've found the same issues with alignment. Connectors really help in keeping everything in line!
Thanks for those recommendations! I had no reason to trust Muzata. I'm looking into options from the brands you mentioned. Based on your advice, I’m also thinking about switching to aluminum handrails instead for easier fabrication.
Check out your local hardware store; they often rent tools. Some community centers even have tool loans!
Awesome idea! What type of saw should I ask to rent?
Practice your cuts on wood first to get a feel for how it’ll go before committing to the steel.
I assumed a hacksaw would be less precise, but a miter box might make it easier! Thanks for the suggestion!