Cutting screws that are too long

Metal Shop
1

Hello! Is there a machine that can cut screws that are too long for what I need them for? And more importantly, is there someone that knows how to use said machine that i could pay to cut down some screws? I got some bolt cutters but i cant even make a dent in them. I’m pretty sure the pictures on Amazon are just living a lie. Lol

2

Yes. Of course. Many machines can accomplish this task, and the 'Space probably has some of them.

Maybe.

Some pertinent details would help:

  • How many is “some”?
  • What kind of “screws” (sheet metal screws, wood screws, machine screws, just to name a few “types” of “screws”)?
  • What is the screw material (stainless steel, mild steel, brass, just to name a few types of material typical of a “screw”)?
  • How big are they (major diameter)?
  • What kind of threads do they have (NC, ACME, NPT, just to name a few types of threads)?
  • Is keeping the threads important (i.e. will these be threaded into a fastener, or will they be driven into a solid metal piece, or piece of wood, or…)?
  • From how long to how short?

Answers to any of these inquiries might help determine what is needed, and whether or not someone is willing to help.

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3

Sometimes it’s easier to just go to Elliott’s and buy individual fasteners.

If you don’t have a lot of these … and they’re not huge, and if they’re threaded all the way to the end (think bolt - not a pointy wood screw or sheet metal screw) - then hack saw is your best bet. Thread the nut onto the bolt, cut it to length with the hack saw and then remove the nut which will deburr the end of the thread where you cut it.

Band saw is another way to accomplish this, but you’ll need to have a good way to hold them because you can’t hold them by hand. I think we have some (wooden) Jorgensen clamps in Machine shop for that purpose.

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4

What kind of screws are you trying to cut down?
Ie wood screws, machine screw, plastic screws.

What is the size of the screw and how much do you need cut off of them?

5

Clamp the scrap end of the screw in a vice
Use an angle grinder with a cutoff blade to cut the screw
It will be hot so resist the urge to pickup the screw
When its safe to touch you can grind the burr off on the Burrking belt grinder.

If its a bolt, put a nut on it before cutting so when you grind the burr off the nut will clean up the threads when you take it off.

A hacksaw also works to cut it

Its tricky to hold the bolt if using a bandsaw and that only works for larger bolts. Anything smaller than the tooth pitch will snag, likely destroying the bandsaw blade.

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