Tidying up cut threads

[paul]

Suppose I've cut off half the length of a 1/8" dia screw with a hacksaw. Is there a good way to tidy up the end to ensure that a nut will run on easily?

I've tried putting a nut on the bit I'm keeping (before cutting) then reversing it off the end - sometimes it works others it doesn't.

[steam4ian]

G'day Paul.

I generally succeed by putting on two nuts, you can lock one against the other. Cutting right against the face of the nut helps if what you want is very short. I try and finish with a fine file to take off any burs. Screw one nut off then file again even put on a slight chamfer, the second nut cleans the thread up.
Works for me.

Regards,
Ian

[Steve M. W]

Paul
remind me at night school and we will show you a quick way on the grinder that works every time. ;D

Steve

[paul]

sw said:

... a quick way on the grinder that works every time. ;D

Steve

I like the sound of that!!

[russell]

I always trim small screws to length using a small lantern chuck as shown:

Part off using a very narrow blade and chamfer with a small file. It's very easy to produce quantities all the same.

Russell.

[Steve M. W]

Russell

I have not seen one of those, any chance of a photo in component form look a use full bit of kit.

Steve

[jgb7573]

The methods already described look good to me, but I'd love some detail on the use of the grinder. One idea I've used for larger threads when I've been using a file is to is to make the end of the screw flat across the end. Then file off the thread for about a quarter of a revolution. This gets rid of the very thin bit of the screw thread which is what often caused the problem. If I remember correctly, I came across this is in a book by Guy Lautard and he called it a Digby end. Quite why I don't know.

[gugger]

A nicely finished thread is maschined on the end and has a slight chamfer. Chamfer can be done with a fine file. I do it on the running lathe without a H and S chap looking over my shoulders.

One or two nuts do not make the end look better.

Walter

[russell]

Steve,

Bits of bolt trimming tool:


You need one of the little stepped bushes for each screw size. They need to be a good fit on the screw so the hole should be a bit smaller than the normal clearance size.

It's not my idea, I saw it described in ME or MEW about four or five years ago. It is based on the lantern chuck used by watch and clockmakers.

Russell.

[Steve M. W]

Thanks for that Russell another project on my list.

Steve

[ianmac]

G'day

I do this regularly as i buy inch of half inch BA bolts.

If you thread the bolt into the die and then cut to length. After you complete the cut simply undo the bolt from the die and Walah a nice finish just like new

Ian

[paul]

ianmac said:

If you thread the bolt into the die and then cut to length. After you complete the cut simply undo the bolt from the die and Walah a nice finish just like new

Need to hold the screw and the die I guess (and avoid sawing the die!). Another useful tip though!

[Shawki Shlemon]

I just use the linisher to clean the end of the threads ,it is quick and easy .