Cutting a fin bolt down to size

Hi,

I have discovered that a fin bolt is too long for one of my fins. I have to cut it down to size - maybe 1 Cm too long. I have no experience with this. Does anyone know if a Dremel tool with a cutting disk would be a good way to do this?

Thanks.

The Dremel should work fine. Use eye protection and be sure to remove any burrs and sharp edges where you make the cut.

Frank Weston

You will probably gpo through several disks depending on the hardness of the bolt, but that will do it. Mind the threads!

On Wed, 21 Aug 2002 17:15:10 -0400, Benjamin Kaufman

What I do is put a couple of nuts on the bolt first and use one of the nuts as a cutting guide. A hacksaw will work as well as a dremel tool. I cut the bolt to size and clean up the cut with a file. then unscrew the nuts and the bolt should be ready to install.

In case it's not clear, make sure you put the jammed-together nuts on the bolt-head side of the cut before making the cut. Then removing the nuts after making the cut will clean the threads.

Cutting discs can be hard to hold straight, and they can bind if allowed to wobble.

Mike m/

Everyone,

Thanks very much for the tips.

Hello Ben, If you have access to an electrician's crimping pliers, they have a very nice bolt cutting feature built right in that fits a variety of bolt sizes. I think it might work on stainless bolts but I have not tried that. The cutter has a threaded hole to accept and hold the bolt and as you squeeze the handle it will shear off the 'bitter end' of the bolt. I've used my pliers on many bolts but again, I have not tried stainless. Pliers can be had at most hardware stores for about $15. Read you later, Marc

Marc,

I think the pliers are only good up to something like a #10 screw. However the idea is the same as threading a nut on first then cutting off the bitter end. BTW if like has been suggested you put two nuts together and tighten them against each other, they can be clamped in a vise, giving you a steady subject to saw. With a good blade in a hacksaw even fairly large bolts in SS are cut through in less than a minute.

Jack (Sarasota)

Then again you could just add about 2cm worth of washers and forget about cutting the bolt

That's a lot of washers!

Or you could even go to Ace Hardware and buy a bolt the right length - once you get to multiple boards and fins (which you have) you might as well have bolts in all conceivable sizes.

Tom - Chicago