Shortening a bolt

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Hi, anyone have any ideas what's the best way to shorten a bolt and then make good the thread afterwards?

Wind a nut on.
Hacksaw the end off. Grind a bevel then wind the nut off to clean up the threads

Always worked for me.

 

[PhillipM]

Slitting disc on a grinder then one of those laser chamfer/deburring tools. Done in seconds.

 

[striker]

I've shortened many, many bolts and studs in my fitting days. Cut to length with hacksaw, donkey saw or bandsaw. Then dress the ends on a bench grinder. Hold the bolt or stud vertically, not horizontally against the wheel turn through 360°. The nut fits perfectly every time, never fails. No need to mess around with dies or files.

 

[Cobbler]

Slitting disc on a grinder then one of those laser chamfer/deburring tools. Done in seconds.

I avoid Laser tools if I possibly can after the reaction I got when I contacted them with a safety & quality issue. On the packing it said “any problems with this ring our 0800 ********** help desk” so I did & they didn’t want to know,” why are you ringing us” sort of thing, “cos it says so on the packet” he was totally disinterested. This was with an airline hose, the ends weren’t crimped properly leaving the unions loose, I could have recrimped them, but thought I ought to bring it to their attention. After that I took it back & bought someone else’s.

 

[PhillipM]

There aren't many alternatives worth a damn for those, however.

 

[Miranda]

Angle grinder. Put nut on first to reform thread afterwards. Grind a chamfer rate cutting. It doesn’t need to be very accurate provided you cut it square.

 

[hunter27]

I don't believe there has been 27 posts so far on how to shorten a bolt

 

[Cobbler]

I don't believe there has been 27 posts so far on how to shorten a bolt

And more to come I suspect ........

 

[Farside]

Last time I tried to extend the threads on a bolt by running a die nut down it, it didn't happen.
That was just a hardware store 12mm 8.8, nothing special.

 

[8ob]

I don't believe there has been 27 posts so far on how to shorten a bolt

The 3-worder as of today has 19k posts, brace yourself @hunter27

Bob

 

[Shox Dr]

I don't believe there has been 27 posts so far on how to shorten a bolt

Come, we haven't found out its Left or Right handed? yet!

 

[Robert Weaver]

Is it metric or imperial?

 

[My Old Landy]

Is it metric or imperial?

I believe I asked that in post 3 and still awaiting an answer......

 

[nickk]

I got a little attachment that goes in a slow drill and re-chamfers the end kind of like a cone with 3 blades on the inside. I was suspicious but it works a treat. I only got it for the stainless bolts on my decking as they tend to gall very very easily if the threads are at all damaged.

That sounds a useful gadget,can it cope with 12 round,maybe a useful bevelling tool on site work?

 

[Gragson]

That's what's referred to in post 19 by Bob

 

[Gazz292]

I don't believe there has been 27 posts so far on how to shorten a bolt

ok.... how do i extend a bolt i've cut too short?

 

[Hood]

ok.... how do i extend a bolt i've cut too short?

Its a bleeding welding forum, surely you do not need to ask that question

 

[Gazz292]

aww, i was hoping there was a stretching tool available or something

 

[MCKDAVID]

Its a bleeding welding forum, surely you do not need to ask that question

easy, drill a hole in the end, tap it, and screw an other bit on..... or not....

 

[PhillipM]

aww, i was hoping there was a stretching tool available or something

There is, you just tighten the nut too much.