Author Topic: Bolts and tang screws (Read 7805 times)

Eric Smith · « **on:** May 15, 2012, 02:36:13 AM »

A recent thread brought up the subject of lock bolts and tang screws. It has been suggested that the ones from TOTW have too big a slot. It was suggested that you make your own from carriage bolts. My trip to Lowes left me unsatisfied. I have the H.House DVD that explains how to make lock bolts. I can do that. But I need to know of a source of the right material to make them from. I certainly don't want stainless or zinkplated. Can someone direct me to a place on line that I can obtain material that would lend itself to making good period correct lock/tang bolts. Unplated and black oxide bolts may be OK, I just don't know! Also the dimensions of the bolts would be helpfull. I plan on buying a threading tap and a drilling tap in either 8/32 or 10/32.

JDK · « **Reply #1 on:** May 15, 2012, 03:42:44 AM »

In the previous thread the plated ones were specifically mentioned. The plated ones are fine because you will be reworking the bolts to work for your application.

As was stated, buy the bolts that have the head size closest to want you want to use. Buy them a little longer so you can chuck them in a drill.

Chuck the bolt in your drill and turn the threaded portion and reduce it's diameter with a file to that of the size for which it will be threaded. While you are doing that it will remove all plating and the existing threads.

While it's turning use the file to remove the square lug from under the head and dress the top of the head to the shape you want and all plating on the head will be gone.

Remove the bolt from the drill, cut it to length, cut your slot and thread enough as you need to engage your lockplate.

Simple.

Hope that helps J.D.

JDK · « **Reply #2 on:** May 15, 2012, 04:01:16 AM »

Oh, I got carried away with that. I reread your post and see you already know how to do this. Sorry.

The plated ones will work fine. You don't need to seek out any special hardware. J.D.

Acer Saccharum · « **Reply #3 on:** May 15, 2012, 04:08:14 AM »

McMaster-Carr sells round 12L14, which turns and threads like a dream.

Eric Smith · « **Reply #4 on:** May 15, 2012, 02:09:44 PM »

Acer, are you saying 12L14 steel cold finished rods, then peen a head on it, and thread it? Then cut the slot?

Acer Saccharum · « **Reply #5 on:** May 15, 2012, 02:50:36 PM »

No, I turn bolts from the solid. Cuts like buttah, but you need a lathe.

Eric Smith · « **Reply #6 on:** May 15, 2012, 02:59:32 PM »

"Ultra-Machinable 12L14 Carbon Steel"

?? "Square Bars—Unpolished Mill Finish (Cold Finished)" A lathe is next on my list.

Bob Roller · « **Reply #7 on:** May 15, 2012, 03:18:52 PM »

Get the 12L14 with the diameter needed for the head of the screw or a size bigger. As was stated,this stuff machines like butter. I use it for all but one screw size but as Acer and Ed have said,a lathe is needed for accurate work and like Ed,I also use the tail stock for threading.
If I can get and post a decent picture of the lathe I made into a screw machine,it will give
anyone who is interested an idea about how this job can be done.

Bob Roller

Acer Saccharum · « **Reply #8 on:** May 15, 2012, 03:41:35 PM »

Bob, I'm always interested in stuff like that.

Eric Smith · « **Reply #9 on:** May 15, 2012, 03:54:19 PM »

I have been toying with the idea of making a powder horn to go with each rifle build. Someone from another forum suggested a Turncrafter Commander 12" variable speed midi lathe. Its out of stock right now. I had been meaning to ask if a lathe had any usefullness in gun building, and now I guess I have my answer. Are there any other uses for the lathe in the process of building a longrifle? I'm still not "exactly" sure how you would make these bolts with a lathe. I guess you just turn it and apply a file till you have what you want. Anyone want to do a Tutorial? I bet a lot of us beginners could benefit from it.

JDK · « **Reply #10 on:** May 15, 2012, 03:58:06 PM »

E. Smith,

IMHO, buying factory ready screws or filing your own from something like carriage bolts is the best option if you don't have a lathe and previous machining experience.

You may be over thinking this screw slot thing anyway. You can build now and change out screws later if you like. You will find that you often will have to use "working" bolts and screws anyway as you will be filing the heads down on the first ones you put in when you work your parts. You can change them out when you finish with oval head or whatever.

Start making wood chips and saw dust.

Enjoy, J.D.

rich pierce · « **Reply #11 on:** May 15, 2012, 03:59:06 PM »

A quick trip to a machine shop would be instructive. lots on youtube also. Files are seldom used on a lathe except to de-bur stuff.

Eric Smith · « **Reply #12 on:** May 15, 2012, 04:03:48 PM »

Rich, I'm with you on YouTube. Next best thing to this forum for info.

Eric Smith · « **Reply #13 on:** May 15, 2012, 04:19:08 PM »

AHHHHHHHHHHHH, what I need for this is a small METAL lathe! Duh! Somebody slap me.

Acer Saccharum · « **Reply #14 on:** May 15, 2012, 04:42:29 PM »

Get the most robust one you can get for your money, or fit in the space you have.

You don't need a long lathe if you have a minimum 1 3/8 thru hole in the spindle.

Bill-52 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 15, 2012, 06:29:30 PM »

FWIW, the plating on screws and bolts can be removed by tossing them in a bowl of vinegar for a couple days. Then work them to meet your needs.

Long Ears · « **Reply #16 on:** May 15, 2012, 09:36:02 PM »

Quote from: Bob Roller on May 15, 2012, 03:18:52 PM

Get the 12L14 with the diameter needed for the head of the screw or a size bigger. As was stated,this stuff machines like butter. I use it for all but one screw size but as Acer and Ed have said,a lathe is needed for accurate work and like Ed,I also use the tail stock for threading.
If I can get and post a decent picture of the lathe I made into a screw machine,it will give
anyone who is interested an idea about how this job can be done

I also would like to see that Bob. Good stuff, thanks,

Jim Kibler · « **Reply #17 on:** May 15, 2012, 11:11:55 PM »

Quote from: rich pierce on May 15, 2012, 03:59:06 PM

A quick trip to a machine shop would be instructive. lots on youtube also. Files are seldom used on a lathe except to de-bur stuff.

Depends on who is using the lathe and what they are making. There are times when a file is the easiest way to get the task done. For example, finish shaping a top jaw screw head. Plent of other examples exist too.

Eric Smith · « **Reply #18 on:** May 16, 2012, 12:11:09 AM »

One semi- finished lock bolt. This morning it was just a carriage bolt and a thought.

JDK · « **Reply #19 on:** May 16, 2012, 12:43:36 AM »

Congratulations.

J.D.

Eric Smith · « **Reply #20 on:** May 16, 2012, 03:03:02 AM »

Thanks JD. Did it just the way you said. Given my ambitions toward making a few horns, too, I now have one more reason to go ahead and buy it. My DeWalt used two battery charges to get this far. I think this endeavour would have been perfect for a lathe with the proper chuck. Jim Kibler, you said there were many examples of using a lathe in gun building. I would love to have those ideas if you have the time to expound on them. I bought a lot of different size wood screws from Blacksmithbolt.com today. Way cheaper than TOTW. I also experimented with modifying a buttplate screw I bought from TOTW. I think it looks better that just a plain old flat head screw. Thanks to all that helped me on this thread. You sure are nice people.

JDK · « **Reply #21 on:** May 16, 2012, 03:44:06 AM »

I had no idea you didn't have an electric drill or drill press! Would of made the job much easier than a battery powered drill. Bet it still took less time than we spent typing about it.

One more thing for your list.....drill press! And I would put it before the lathe I.M.H.O.

Both can do some of the same operations but I find the drill press and vise for it indispensable.

Enjoy, J.D.

Eric Smith · « **Reply #22 on:** May 16, 2012, 04:20:27 AM »

Thanks JD. I'm just getting setup. I call this my "Tooling Up" phase. I read sometime back that the worst thing you can do is go at it full force. They recommended taking your time, read, watch, learn, the read some more, learn, and then read it again. I started in December last year, but I'm working on it. The best thing I got going is this forum. I just built a 8.5' long bench that has room for either a lathe or a bench top drill press.

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Author Topic: Bolts and tang screws (Read 7805 times)