How to cut off a screw using a Rotary Tool

**Jay-gon Jinn** · 05-02-2010, 07:49 PM

This 1/4" brass screw is going to be used on an MHS double threaded Jaded grips section, so I'll need to shorten it by about half. I'll use a rotary tool and a reinforced cutting wheel for the job.

I'll be using the 8-32 nut to secure the screw in the vise grips to prevent damaging the head of the screw, and to also help with maintaining the integrity of the threads:

I inserted the screw into the nut.....and then placed the nut/screw assembly into the vise grips:

I set the rotary tool to a high speed, then I used slow, steady pressure on the tool and carefully cut it off:

There we go! All shortened!

DO NOT TOUCH THE SCREW!!!! IT IS HOT!!!!

I'll use a pair of pliers to get the screw and nut out of the vise grips:

Now I'll use the Allen wrench to back the screw out of the nut:

This will also help to clean up the threads you just cut through.

And then install in into the double threaded Jaded extension:

Now the screws don't stick through into the inside diameter of the part, and you can easily fit an MHS speaker mount and battery pack in there with no problems:

**xl97** · 05-02-2010, 08:18 PM

nicely done tut...

direct to the point.. with pics! (nothing left to the imagination)

and something I bet many people forget.. (I know long ago when I learned this.. it was a life saver!)

**Jedi-Loreen** · 05-02-2010, 09:40 PM

I learned how do to this 20 years ago. It's a good thing for people to know about.

**Lord Maul** · 05-02-2010, 10:15 PM

Great thread, Jay Gon. I stickied it for you (probably what this PM in my inbox is about too

)

**Lord Dottore Matto** · 05-02-2010, 10:25 PM

Great info Jay!

**Jay-gon Jinn** · 05-03-2010, 09:25 PM

Yep, had to cut some brass screws down for that saber in the pics, and remembered J-Lo's comment elsewhere on the forums about how to cut a screw, and thought, why not take pictures, since I was going to be cutting 23 screws anyway?