Got this link from Rick Sparber this morning. He's written articles for Home Shop Machinist. Shows how to cleanly cut a bevel on a screw after it's been shortened.
Tips/Techniques Making a bevel on a screw that has been shortened.
- Thread starter jcdammeyer
- Start date
Tips/Techniques
I don't know why the forum software blocked your post John. I approved it.
Regarding the content, I prefer my own method. It's easy and has never failed me.
Post in thread 'Threaded screw cutter' https://canadianhobbymetalworkers.com/threads/threaded-screw-cutter.6736/post-100276
Lately I've been making these tools with two threaded holes for each size in the plate - one course and one fine.
Regarding the content, I prefer my own method. It's easy and has never failed me.
Post in thread 'Threaded screw cutter' https://canadianhobbymetalworkers.com/threads/threaded-screw-cutter.6736/post-100276
Lately I've been making these tools with two threaded holes for each size in the plate - one course and one fine.
I'd have to get a belt sander before I could use his approach. But Rick Sparber has some good ideas.
Last edited:
My method works with any grinder,
Ironman
Ultra Member
If you have a second plate with an unthreaded hole, pivoting off a hinge bolt, you can thread the bolt through both of them and pivot the plate and it will snip off the bolt you want to cut.
I had to shorten a bunch of 1/4" screws and made a jig for the lathe.
In a piece of 3/4 round bar I drill and tapped the thread in the bottom then using an EM I opened up the hole to accommodate the screw head and bottomed out leaving the thread to be cut off. Locked the screw in place with a jam nut, put it in a collet, cut off the excess and beveled the end.
The other method I've used to lock the screw is to thread the big hole and screw in a bolt to lock the screw in place. This way lets you cut the screw even shorter if needed.
I've used these methods to cut down 4-40 screws as well.
In a piece of 3/4 round bar I drill and tapped the thread in the bottom then using an EM I opened up the hole to accommodate the screw head and bottomed out leaving the thread to be cut off. Locked the screw in place with a jam nut, put it in a collet, cut off the excess and beveled the end.
The other method I've used to lock the screw is to thread the big hole and screw in a bolt to lock the screw in place. This way lets you cut the screw even shorter if needed.
I've used these methods to cut down 4-40 screws as well.
I have to put bevels on shortened screws fairly regularly. If they are too short to hold I just put them on the end of a matching screwdriver and hold them in place with my fingers. Then I grind the bevel using my fingers to hold them in place while turning the screwdriver. The longer you have been working as a mechanic the longer you will be able to grind the screw before you curse and drop it. When it cools off, proceed with the grinding. I use either a regular grinder of a belt sander depending on what is available or closer. Make sure you put your fingers where they can't be rotated into the grinder.
This is what you want it’s quick and easy
Lantern Chuck
Shop built lantern chuck to hold screws while modifying the threaded section. And a tool to add a slot in a screw head. Both are useful for clockmaking.
gadgetbuilder.com
