How can you shorten screws - ie those with no point/used on electrical boxes? There must be an easier way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cutting down flat head screws ie those on sockets
- Thread starter jan123
- Start date
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they're only brass, so either a junior hacksaw, a pair of pliers with or if you have one of those cheap and nasty "all in one" crimpers / strippers, then often have threaded bolt cutting holes in them..
such as these.. often sold in places like halfords or on market stalls.. no good for electrical crimps, but OK for use on car electrics..
such as these.. often sold in places like halfords or on market stalls.. no good for electrical crimps, but OK for use on car electrics..
I always use a pair of pliers then dress the end with a file to save damaging the threads on the backbox.
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get a nice pair of CK cutters with the hole in them for just this job.
http://www.thecrimpcompany.com/news.asp
http://www.thecrimpcompany.com/news.asp
The cutting edges went on mine within two weeks. I keep them for cutting bolts only.
I agree that Bahco are best.
I agree that Bahco are best.
Easier than what?
How have you been doing it up to now?
Actually, the easiest way is not to bother - just buy some the right length and get on with life.
But if you must shorten them, get a couple of stainless steel M3.5 nuts, put them onto the screw before you chop the end off, then unscrew the nuts. As they get to the chopped end work them backwards and forwards a few times to clean up the thread.
The threads are clean when dressed up, no need for nuts.
I agree with your above comment regarding purchasing screws of varying length to cater for all circumstances but sometimes you're caught short and needs must.
S
sparkyspike
The CK side cutters do a perfect cut every time. No need for files or 3.5mm nuts.
Err - they are clean because you dress them.
What I'm saying is stick a nut on before you cut and there's no need to bother with a file - just work the nut back and forth a few times.
Oh well - maybe it's me - I'd never dream of cutting a screw without having something on there first which I knew would clean up the end.
I've done literally thousands with my CK combi-cutters, completely without issue too.
I know the threads are clean because I dress them - why would I bother dressing them if there wasn't a reason for it?
I won't be carrying two M3.5mm nuts around. If I don't have a socket screw available of an appropriate length then I'll cut it with pliers and dress the end with a file.
This is my way of doing things, it works and isn't open for debate!
Contemplate this - You use a junior hacksaw to cut the socket screw (I assume this would be the case?) then run the nuts over the thread. The thread is now clean in that it will enter it's socket without difficulty but what if a sharp end had been left on the screw? Where you cut through 90% then the last 10% snaps off?
I've got a great idea - use a file to dress it.
FFS.
What I'm saying is stick a nut on before you cut and there's no need to bother with a file - just work the nut back and forth a few times.
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