"I Did It My Way" (cutting mach. screws shorter)

roddie Wed Jan 03, 2024 6:01 pm

I had originally cut four 3-48 size machine screws too short for my Cox TD .049/.051 engine mount application; preventing the full engagement of the 3-48 "lock-nuts". Shocked

I had a stock of 1" length spare screws and needed four of them to be cut to a length approx. the thickness of a lock-nut longer than my first ones.

I cut a piece of med. size silicone fuel tubing to the screw-length that I needed... plus the thickness of a #3 flat-washer.

"I Did It My Way" (cutting mach. screws shorter) 20240113

of course; the cutting-wheel on the tool shattered right away... Rolling Eyes

(add 10 min. to locate and replace cutting-wheel... I did it my way)

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The screw gets HOT while cutting... Hot

... so I doubled-up on the silicone tubing.. which worked quite well.

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The silicone tubing protects the threads of the screw.. and guages the approx. length required.

I used my cordless VSR screw-gun set to reverse with the proper hex-driver installed to remove the studs from the tubing.

"I Did It My Way" (cutting mach. screws shorter) 20240115

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rsv1cox Wed Jan 03, 2024 6:39 pm

I use a variation to your method roddie, however your's might be the better option as a Dremel cut-off disc gives a smoother cut.

For odd sizes like the 2/56 and 5/40 so common to our hobby, I use a Vaco tool at the next larger position marked with a nut positioning the proper length and make the cut. Then I back out the nut which dresses the threads.

"I Did It My Way" (cutting mach. screws shorter) P1016931

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"I Did It My Way" (cutting mach. screws shorter)

"I Did It My Way" (cutting mach. screws shorter)

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