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Matt40
Senior Member
544 Posts |
 Posted - 25 Apr 2012 : 12:46:33
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Hi,
Does anyone know someone who can cut down some metal screws for me which are too long? Probably a quick job I would have thought.
Matt |
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Scottman
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
1757 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2012 : 13:53:36
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| Er ....do you really mean that ? If you cut them, you lose either the screw head or the tail - the bit that bites into the wood, don't you ? |
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JuNu
Junior Member
United Kingdom
55 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2012 : 14:38:35
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I would either just get some new screws at the proper length, or if you have a dremmel type tool just chop the ends off.
Or use a hacksaw... |
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Enoughofthat
Average Member
United Kingdom
109 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2012 : 14:45:03
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Wood screws have a tapered thread to a point and can't be practically shortened.
More likely the OP means a machine screw which has a parallel thread running the full length to the head or a bolt which looks similar to a machine screw but is threaded for only part of it's length with the remainder of the unthreaded length called the shank.
Machine screws and bolts can be shortened with a hacksaw but the thread will be damaged and must be re cut. A simple bodgers' method is to run a nut on to the thread before shortening and unscrewing the nut to re establish the thread. If you can't do it yourself any motor mechanic will be able. |
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Matt40
Senior Member
544 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2012 : 17:09:04
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| Hi, they are not screws, I should have been more precise sorry, they are the pressure bolts that go inside stairgates, they look like screws though. The bolts are already screwed on them and they just slot in the holes rather than screw into them so the end is is of no consequence. Problem is that they are too long and need shortening by an inch or so |
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Dusty
Senior Member
United Kingdom
685 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2012 : 17:12:20
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Matt40, I shorten screws using the wire-cutting bit on a pair of pliers. Soon snips through them.
Scottman, the head is the bit to keep, use a full screw to start the hole off, take that out and then put in the shortened screw and tighten it up.
JUnu, yes, it would be better to get screws of the required length but sometimes circumstances dictate otherwise.
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RichardH
Average Member
United Kingdom
380 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2012 : 18:28:32
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| Stairgate bolts won't get shortened by pliers - you'll need a hacksaw. |
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Scottman
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
1757 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2012 : 19:30:05
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Thanks Dusty !!! 
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Matt40
Senior Member
544 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 09:27:00
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| I am no expert but for sure wire cutters won't pierce a 3/4 cm diameter bolt? Is a hacksaw the way to go then, my hacksaw does not look meaty enough for the job |
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RichardH
Average Member
United Kingdom
380 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 13:28:36
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| Even a small "junior" hacksaw will do the job. Make sure you clamp the bolt firmly in a workmate or in some other way - much easier to cut then. Take it easy and slow - let the blade do the work. |
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Northsider
Junior Member
United Kingdom
67 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 13:37:29
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quote:
Originally posted by Matt40
I am no expert but for sure wire cutters won't pierce a 3/4 cm diameter bolt? Is a hacksaw the way to go then, my hacksaw does not look meaty enough for the job
Hacksaw will do the job, a decent size one - 30cm metal cutting blue colour blade, though a junior hacksaw should do, but it'll take a bit of time! You might need a metal file to trim the thread up on the end. Have you got something to hold it firmly when cutting? |
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boyboy
Average Member
257 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 14:35:28
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| If u cant get sorted e-mail me and I will cut them with my angle grinder. |
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Matt40
Senior Member
544 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 18:53:07
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| I got a vice somewhere but it's more a junior hacksaw with some freebie blades, ok for sawing through pipework but tougher job on steel I guess, I will let you know, thanks for the help. |
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Topic |
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Screw cutting
