Gunsmithing Shorten Action screws

[stello1001]

As title states, what is the best way to shorten an action screw?

So if I had a few nuts, I would double nut it up to the point where I need my cut and use the nut as a guide. This is an action screw and I don't have nuts for it. Is there a way you guys could recommend I cut it so I don't fuck it up and end up without action screws? I'm hoping that once I'm done cutting, it'll go right in, real smooth, into the action.

Thanks...

 

[glock63]

I used a cutoff wheel in a die grinder. Be real careful and you will be able to clean up the threads with a good file. Ideally you would use the proper die to clean up the threads

 

[dustingaunder]

How much to you need to cut off? If just a c hair I chuck it in my cordless drill and gently shorten it on my white grinding wheel. If I need to remove some bulk I cut it off with a dremel then clean it up with the drill/grinding wheel. If the threads lay over at the cut end I use a triangle needle file to clean up. Not usually necessary if you are gentle at the grinder and put in a little chamfer.

 

[Easy_E]

Count how many threads it needs to be cut off thread on a nut and grind off the right amount with a bench grinder. When shortened I take a allen wrench and grind the bolt at a angle with the nut still on to chamfer the edge. Back the nut off and cold blue the tip to protect it.

 

[gnochi]

Your local hardware store probably has nuts with the right thread spec. What gun are these screws for?

 

[woodsmoke]

Just had to do this on my Rem 700 last weekend. Had to take off 3/16”. I put the screw in a padded vise, made the cut with a portaband saw (hacksaw would work too), cleaned up the edges with a hand file, then a quick sand/polish/ cold blue on the cut end. Fifteen minutes and looks factory.

 

[stello1001]

Your local hardware store probably has nuts with the right thread spec. What gun are these screws for?

I just got back from there and tried everything. They didn't have the nut that I need. It's for a win70.

Just had to do this on my Rem 700 last weekend. Had to take off 3/16”. I put the screw in a padded vise, made the cut with a portaband saw (hacksaw would work too), cleaned up the edges with a hand file, then a quick sand/polish/ cold blue on the cut end. Fifteen minutes and looks factory.

This is the approach I had in mind initially, just asked to see what others have found best.
Thanks

 

[gnochi]

Win70 post-1964 is 1/4-32. Yeah, that will be much harder to find. Hacksaw and super-fine thread file will be your best bet then.

 

[RmeJu]

I just got back from there and tried everything. They didn't have the nut that I need.

I had the exact same problem and was lucky enough that I could find nuts that worked at my local Lowe's. If your local big box doesn't have what you need, I would either check another store, or see if you have a fastener store within driving distance, which will probably have a lot better selection. You could also find the specs for the screw from Winchester, and order matching nuts online.

Having an appropriate nut is great as a guide for the initial cutting, grinding, etc., but the better advantage is that it's (literally) the perfect tool to clean up the threads when you're done.

I'm sure that the other methods mentioned above could work, but I wouldn't try them until I was sure I couldn't get a nut that worked.

Whatever you do, best of luck!

 

[Easy_E]

Win70 post-1964 is 1/4-32. Yeah, that will be much harder to find. Hacksaw and super-fine thread file will be your best bet then.

Worse case you could buy a die in the right size from a tool store but a nut would be cheaper

 

[Waorani]

McMaster-Carr

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McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

Links look the same but 2 different 1/4-32 nut options.

 

[stello1001]

I tried 3 local hardware stores today. None of them had any. We came to the conclusion that I needed an M7 x 1.0. Everyone had either m6 or m8. Is M7 not the one, instead it's 1/4-32?

I did want to buy two nuts and get them backed up against each other and use that as a guide so what i had in mind is not too far off from what you guys are suggesting.

 

[RmeJu]

See Waoranis' post (#11) above. According to those links, you're in business for just a few bucks!

 

[Waorani]

Brownells Screw Checker also has 1/4-32. Everyone should have a few of both US & metric screw checkers!

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[gnochi]

I tried 3 local hardware stores today. None of them had any. We came to the conclusion that I needed an M7 x 1.0. Everyone had either m6 or m8. Is M7 not the one, instead it's 1/4-32?

I did want to buy two nuts and get them backed up against each other and use that as a guide so what i had in mind is not too far off from what you guys are suggesting.

M7 hardware is very very very rare. I highly doubt that’s what you’re looking for.