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How to quarter a brake rotor?

GromitInWA

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Jan 5, 2014
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45
I have a couple of brake rotors that I took off my car and would like to make something like this bookend.
fd30acee46dbbbf54f184e878954688e.jpg


What do you guys recommend for neatly quartering the rotor?


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A_Pmech

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IL
I would not use a used rotor. Besides the mess aspect, rotors develop hard spots which makes them hard to machine.

A new rotor could easily be cut into quarters with a band saw.
 
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GromitInWA

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Jan 5, 2014
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Thanks. Just saw a YouTube video of someone using a plasma cutter to cut one in half, so looks like that's the way to go.


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GromitInWA

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Jan 5, 2014
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I would not use a used rotor. Besides the mess aspect, rotors develop hard spots which makes them hard to machine.

A new rotor could easily be cut into quarters with a band saw.


Interesting. Thanks for the advice!


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jsaw

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Oct 11, 2008
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Geneva, N.Y.
Cut off wheel in a 9" right angle grinder, or if you can figure out a way to clamp it in an abrasive chop saw
 

koditten

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Apr 10, 2008
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Midland, Michigan
Band saw is the eaiest and cleanest. I've done it both ways. Band saw runs right thru them. On the side note, trying to clean them up with a grinding wheel does not work very good. Best thing is to get a clean cut with the band saw and not have to spend 2 hours trying to make them nice and neat with a grinder.
 

mustangmike6996

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Aug 13, 2011
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Detroit MI
It all depends on what you have access to. As long as you have a steady hand you can go with any of the above-mentioned methods.

Personally, I like plasma cutters but if you are free handing it then there is more room for errors. the cutoff wheel (larger the better) is more accurate but will take longer.
 

tk421

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Feb 10, 2010
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Location
Dayton, OH
i have a brand new cross drilled and slotted rotor from a toyota tundra i can set you up with. i only have one
 
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ADSR

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Jan 12, 2013
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I'm lazy. I would take it to the water jet place and have it done for 20 bucks in 5 min.
 

zkling

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Jan 23, 2007
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Bandsaw, I've done it before for someone that was making furniture. They cut surprisingly easy for what they are. Touch up the edges on a the belt sander.

As AP Mech mentioned, best to use new parts for industrial art, especially when the component in question is a cheap brake rotor. Otherwise a good long soak in the parts washer is in order.
 

Showkey

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Aug 9, 2014
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Wausau WI
No band saw, no plasma...........sawsall with a quality metal cutting blade clean up with a disk.
 

Techie1961

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Feb 18, 2014
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Location
Pickering Ontario Canada
Cast iron will dull a bandsaw blade really quick, especially a used rotor, and they aren't cheap to replace. A few hack saw blades are cheap and it won't take much time. Zip wheel on an angle grinder would be my go to tool or like Showkey says, a sawsall. Sawsall blades ain't cheap either though.
 
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