How To Properly Cut, Deburr And Chamfer Threaded Stud

How To Properly Cut, Deburr and Chamfer Threaded Stud

Many projects use threaded rod, also commonly called all thread, for hanging and stabilizing structures or objects. The biggest problem is that often, you can only find it in specific lengths that may not be suitable for your project. This means you will need to cut, deburr and chamfer the all-thread down to size.

To cut threaded rod down to the size you need is fairly simple but can leave some nasty burring on the end of the stud making it hard to fasten a nut onto. We sat down with our fastener expert and asked him how to cut clean threaded studs from a long bar of threaded rod.

SHOP THREADED RODS

Cutting

The first thing to do is measure your threaded rod to length. After you have measured and marked your threaded stud, insert it into your chop saw. Some chop saws (like the evolution industrial chop saw) have a small vise for holding the material being cut, in this case all thread, in place while keeping your hands at a safe distance. Simply bring the saw down and cut through the threaded rod.

*There are two kinds of blades primarily used in chop saws. The first which we are using in our evolution chop saw is known as a cold cutting blade. This means that the blade cuts with virtually no sparks. The second kind is the old school abrasive cutting blade. We tested this process on both kinds of blades below and have found that the cold cutting blade has significantly less burring than the abrasive style blade.

The abrasive saw also generates significantly more heat which can make the threaded rod hot to the touch so wear gloves. The cold cutting blade reduces this increase in temperature significantly. Still wear gloves for safety!

Abrasive Vs Cold Cutting Chop Saw Blades

SHOP ABRASIVES

Deburring

Now that you have a piece of threaded rod cut down to size, the next step is to remove and burring caused by cutting the rod, to do this you will need a grinder. Simply, take the threaded stud you cut and press the end against the grinding wheel to remove the burrs and smooth out the cut end.

SHOP GRINDING WHEELS

Chamfering

Chamfering is the process of removing the end of the threading and cutting an angle into it. Chamfering is done to clean up the start of threads so a nut can be easily fastened to the rod. To perform this process we use a tool called the Uniburr. A Uniburr is a cone shaped tool that attaches to a drill and quickly chamfers away the edges of a fastener.

Nice Work!

Now that you have cut, deburred and chamfered your threaded stud, the only thing left to do is go use it!

Benefits Of Using Aluminum

SHOP ALUMINUM

Benefits of Using Aluminum

Aluminum is an extremely popular material for many fastener assemblies. However, even with all of its benefits, many people don’t know about the big benefits that make it a must have for many projects.

Strong Weight to Strength Ratio

Aluminum Fasteners are recommended in applications where light weight matters. Boasting a weight of 1/3 that of mild steel, it has the best strength to weight ratio of all common metals. This makes it particularly desirable in applications where the weight needs to be kept to a minimum.

Cost

Another benefit of aluminum being light is that it will push down transportation costs making it cheaper than other materials. Apart from Aluminum being cheaper to ship, it is also most abundant metal making it relatively cheap compared to other materials less readily available.

Cleanliness

Aluminum is both Corrosion resistant and easy to clean making it a must have for sterile environments. The low maintenance level can also save the user money over time.

Conclusion

Aluminum has many qualities that make it a popular choice among the different materials available. It’s no real question that it can be one of the most versatile materials available. Aluminum is strong, lightweight, cost effective, non-magnetic, easy to maintain and even looks great when polished. We do recommend using aluminum with stainless steel as galvanic corrosion is likely to occur. Of course, you still need to make sure the material you choose is optimal for your application.

How And When To Use ThreadLocker?

SHOP THREADLOCKERS

What Is Threadlocker and Why Do I Need It?

threadlocker solution

Threadlocker is a solution used to seal (lock) fastener assemblies together to prevent accidental loosening of fasteners over time. To use threadlocker with fasteners, a small amount of the adhesive should be placed on the threading of a bolt where the nut is going to rest prior to installation. Once dry, the adhesive forms a bond that will hold the fastener assembly in place even when exposed to constant vibrations.

Threadlocker solutions are designed to become solid with little air exposure. This means that even between the threading of the fastener that solution will dry. Threadlocker solution can also protect the fastener and extend its life where covering the metal.

Choosing The Correct Threadlocker

Threadlocker is an excellent tool for creating a strong hold on fasteners but there are factors that need to be taken into consideration before application. Listed below are the things you need to know before buying and applying threadlocker solution to your fasteners:

Hold Strength – Some solutions can create a minor hold while others can create a very strong (and difficult to remove) hold. It is important to know if you will need to remove the fastener again before installing.
Conditions That Effect Performance – The biggest condition that matters to threadlocker solution is temperature. Be sure if you are in a high heat environment you are using a solution that can handle those temperatures.
Vibration – Intense vibrations can result in the loosening of fastener assemblies even with solution on them if they do not have enough hold strength.
Contact With Chemicals – Harsh chemicals may have a degrading effect on the solution. If the threadlocker is going to be exposed to chemicals, make sure to choose a solution rated for those chemicals.

Do I Need Threadlocker?

By far, the best reason to use a threadlocker solution is to prevent the accidental back off of fastener assemblies due to vibration. While not necessary in all applications, solutions can also be used any time a nut and bolt are placed together. We suggest using a threadlocker solution any time an assembly is going to be under strain or vibration that may result in unintended back-off or in situations where the assembly is not going to be checked for long periods of time.

5 Stainless Steel Facts You Need To Know Before Buying Fasteners

5 Stainless Steel Facts About Fasteners You Should Know

Stainless steel fastener

Stainless steel is a highly used metal and prized for its corrosion resistance. Did you know that stainless steel actually can corrode? It’s not even that hard to make it happen. Before you buy your fasteners here are five stainless steel facts you need to know before buying fasteners.

1. Stainless Steel Is A Soft Metal (Sort Of)

Stainless steel is considered a soft metal meaning it is not great for many high load applications that require intense strength. However, certain grades are hardened to create a stronger version. It may effect the corrosion resistance of the fastener however. A classic example of this is Grade 410 Stainless Steel.

2. Stainless Steel Can Still Corrode

Stainless steel is prized for its corrosion resistance. Beyond that many don’t know anything about it. Stainless steel comes in many different grades, 304, 305 and 316 are just a few examples and each come with their own benefits. If you are within 20 miles of the beach for example, you need to make sure you use 316 stainless steel.

3. Stainless Steel Is Not Non-Magnetic

It is important to know that stainless steel is not fully non-magnetic. In situations where the non-magnetic quality of a material is critical, stainless steel is not a recommended choice.

4. Stainless Steel Has An Invisible Self Repairing Outer Layer

Stainless metals form an invisible oxide coating that protects it from external factors. This is the main reason stainless steel is so resistant to corrosion. As long as the material is in an oxygen rich environment, even if the metal is damaged removing the oxide layer, it will reform and protect the metal again.

5. Stainless Steel Reacts Negatively With Aluminum

Stainless Steel and Aluminum are two separate kinds of metal. One is positively charged (anode) and one is negatively charged (cathode). As these metals are connected and an electrolyte is introduced, such as saltwater, a transfer of electrons occurs which will ruin the integrity of the materials resulting in galvanic corrosion. To avoid these situations either use some sort of in-between like a rubber material or simply do not use them together (recommended).

Working With Stainless Steel

Ultimately stainless steel can be a bit more complicated than you thought. Stainless steel fasteners are still an excellent choice for many situations. Just take these 5 things into consideration when buying your fasteners to help you choose the appropriate material and grade.

When To Use Fasteners Over Welds

Welds Or Fasteners?

A confusing subject to say the least. Welding is a common practice that creates a physical and (what is considered to be) permanent connection. Fasteners (for our discussion bolts) create a joint which is considered to be a temporary connection.

But, which is better? Is there a definitive answer to this question? The answer is: It depends. There are always situations in which welds or fasteners will end up on top. The harder part is trying to determine when to use one or the other. Today we are going to look at why you might think twice before starting a weld.

Why Welds Are Great (And Why They Are Not)

Welding is an excellent way to make a permanent joint between two materials. It is one of those set it and forget it types of connections, but what happens over time as that weld is put under stress? How do you know if the joint is still as strong as on day one?

The answer is welds are often harder to check and maintain than fasteners. Some of the special equipment required for weld testing costs excessive amounts of money. Welds require some intensive tests such as x-rays to check integrity throughout the weld. Welds are also considerably harder to remove and replace than fasteners. They can also be inconsistent in strength along a joint.

What May Make Fasteners A Better Decision

Fasteners are used for creating temporary joints. Fasteners, installed at equal distances, will provide the same strength at each joint without significant change. This makes them a better choice for weight distribution. They are also simple to check for corrosion or other weakening factors.

By far the best part about using a fastener over a weld is that if a fastener is bad, it is simple to remove it and replace it with a new one. They can also be adjusted over time to compensate for changes in the materials such as swelling or shrinking with minimal effort.

Welds and Fasteners

It really comes down to the application to truly determine if a weld or fastener is right for you. Ultimately, we think the majority of situations that can use both should use fasteners because it just makes maintenance easier.