Dealing with threaded rod

[oldbandnerd]

You can use a hacksaw or a Dremel with a cutting blade on it to cut the rod . You'll need a bench vise to help you bend it. If you don't have a bench vise you can use two vise grips . You can also use one visegrip and a box end wrench . Clamp the visegrip on one and slid the closed part of the boxed end wrench up to the point where you want the bend and use the wrench as a lever to bend it .If you use a hammer you'll damage the threads.
These methods are all crude but effective . If you have a Harbor Freight store ( http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/retail_stores.taf ) nearby you can get the tools you need cheap .
You can use Plasti Dip ( http://www.kelvin.com/Merchant2/merchan ... ode=510056 ) to coat the threads so it will be more comfortable .

[Carroll]

Thread a nut onto the rod, above the cut, before you cut the rod. Then when you thread the nut off... you will clean and straighten the threads.