apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

you just need to get a pipe cutter. Ask your super or the hardware store for one. Can't be more than $15 and it's incredibly easy.

You might try Gracious Home on 3rd Ave. & 70th. They cut lumber to custom sizes, so they might be willing to do this as well.

Might it be less hassle just to buy a shorter tension rod? I think I've seen them in varying lengths at Bed Bath & Beyond, etc.

I am finding that the best way to build a tool collection and become *handy* is to buy tools, as opposed to borrow them, when i need them for certain jobs. I then use the tools—with mixed results—and the next time i have to sweat a pipe or drill through concrete, the tools are on hand.

a pipe cutter, as mentioned above, or a $5 hacksaw from home depot in chelsea.

Get a hack saw it'll work fine.

A pipe cutter will do the job in about 5 minutes. It cuts around and around the rod, you just keep tightening it and turning it. VERY easy.

One issue you might have down the line is rust. When you cut in to your pipe, you'll remove the chrome at the cut.

You know, I am in the process of putting a plan together for something that I think the city would really appreciate.

The store or place would be called 'DIY' or something like that and it would be a place where do it yourselfers would have the the room and the equipment to do things that you couldnt do in your apartment.

Just think, you want to make a coffee table, or some project that you dont have access to- you go to DIY- pay $X an hour and you have access to every tool you could ever want.

I personally think it would be a great idea- anyone know any property owners? :-)

I bought one of the pipe cutters mentioned by greer above at Home Depot for the very same task you're using it for. It couldn't have been simpler and took less than 5 minutes. I think it cost about $10.

I did the exact thing a couple of years ago. I used a $3 hacksaw with a weak pathetic blade, so I would recommend a pipe cutter. But even with the hacksaw it was easy to do, just took a little time. I never had any problems with rust at the cut (I cut the rod that goes inside the main rod, the one that makes the tension), but I did get rust on the main pole from sliding the shelves on. No matter how careful you try to be, you'll scrape them on the pole. So you may want to wrap it in something while you're putting it all together.

i have a rod just like this, and it won't stop rusting. rust rust rust. i have to clean it with steel wool once a week.

tallguylehigh: not to be a debbie downer for your seemingly great idea, but insurance/liability issues on a place like this would be a disaster.

Go and get a hacksaw, as others have said. They are under $10.

Might be less rust if you make the cut up high at the top and then use some paste wax on it.

I had an Ikea rail for hanging kitchen stuff that was too long. I ended up finding some metal shop off Broadway somewhere south of 125th Street to cut it, it was cheap, took a few minutes and was easy to get to via train. Unfortunately I cannot find them on Superpages :-(. It was a few years ago so maybe they are gone.

I was going to make the same suggestion as Kurt... take the rubber stopper/ cushion off of either the top or the bottom, and cut that end... seal it something..(rustoleum?) and put the stopper back on. That way no sharp, raw edges in your most naked, slippery space!


Tallguy... that's a GREAT idea! People who live in small spaces often don't have the room for all those handy tools - even if they wanted to buy them!
Not realistic for everyone Fjorder.

I live in a small rental and only have a small bag full of tools. I bought the same shower caddy, bought a cheap hacksaw, and haven't had any visible rust issues going on a year-and-a-half plus..

Thank you all! I think I will buy the pipe cutter. I'm trying to avoid accumulating tools for single time projects but I guess a pipe cutter could come in handy down the line.

The pipe has a few adjustable lengths but our bathroom is a funky height.

Tallguy - I love your idea. I hope you the insurance won't be too much of an issue. My husband and I plan to move back to my home town next year and the thing I am looking forward to the most is setting up a workshop.

Thanks again!

To prevent rusting if you've cut something like this - clear nail varnish - simple!