Hello all,

What is the best way of shortening a socket screw? I have had to replace some existing ones with longer screws but they are a bit too long.

Don't want to bugger up any of my tools by using the wrong thing.

Thanks

Kirstie

Hi kirstie,

A small hacksaw will do.

My pliers have, like a wire snipper, between the teeth and the handles, I use that.

Yup...........pliers.

They can then be a bit stubborn to screw in the first couple of turns..........until they cut there own thread.

Had to replace 8 double & 4 single sockets screws today...........cleared me out

Quick snip on the pliers and give the end a quick rub on a file. Takes 60 seconds.

pliers for me but watch out for the end it tends to fly off (sometimes)

I have a 8inch pair of mini bolt cutters very slim in design and cut through socket screws with ease.......i got mine from thee old B&Q.....

A handy tool to get as well is a socket threader just incase a screw goes in cross threaded then you can re-thread it.......

Ruko Socket Re-Threader 3.5mm - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys

pliers :Pete

pliers again, if you have a little nut that fits lying around. wind it down the screw then cut. when you take of the nut it will clean up the thread enough not to cross thread it.

Thanks for all your replies. Had a go last night with my pliers but they were only a small pair so no joy - of course it could just be my weak girly grip !!

My plan is to pop to B & Q with a couple of screws in my pocket and have a sneaky try with some bigger pliers or a bolt cutter. I'll just try not to take anyones eye out with bits of flying screw!

Cheers

Kirstie

Snips, Pliers & Cutters End Cutters

These are what you need, they are called end snips or end cutters.
get the longest handle if you have a weak grip for more leverage.

Car Audio Direct - Draper End Cutter (105mm) - Install Accessory

Nipps Steel Fixers from our range of Pliers

Us4Tools End Cutters

Just carry a selection of different sizes

Went for a small pair of bolt cutters in the end, and used the great tip of threading a nut on first to reform the thread afterwards.

Thanks everyone for all your help

Kirstie

Originally Posted by whitebeam

Just carry a selection of different sizes

Snap, but if all else fail, pliers

Originally Posted by klouan

Went for a small pair of bolt cutters in the end, and used the great tip of threading a nut on first to reform the thread afterwards.

Thanks everyone for all your help

Kirstie

At least you got sorted.........

mini bolt cutters used em 4 years any length easy quick customised !

a decent pair of plyers but as someone else said- watch out for the tip flying of. it could go any direction and is leathal!

Sorry to hijack, but what do you do if the thread on the back box is knackered? eg the screw just turns and doesnt bite into the thread (some idiot has used normal wood screws to fit some light switches back to the wall!) Most of the boxes I have are plastered around and changing the box would mean touching up on the decorating =(


Imp

Originally Posted by Impossible

Sorry to hijack, but what do you do if the thread on the back box is knackered? eg the screw just turns and doesnt bite into the thread (some idiot has used normal wood screws to fit some light switches back to the wall!) Most of the boxes I have are plastered around and changing the box would mean touching up on the decorating =(


Imp

you can get a re threader looks like a screwdriver but the shank is like a screw thread axminster do them and maybe tradetiler do them if not maybe dave could do them

I got mine from screwfix.....but yes good idea ...Tradetiler maybe could stock them....very handy they are.....

Originally Posted by Dave

I got mine from screwfix.....but yes good idea ...Tradetiler maybe could stock them....very handy they are.....

I would 2nd (or 3rd) that, Come on Tradetiler do your stuff...

I will get them in ASAP

Originally Posted by David - Tradetiler

I will get them in ASAP

what more can you ask!!!!

I will not have time to follow every thread so pleae PM me if I have missed or not responded to something important. I am busy most of the time

Lucky I spotted this one

Pliers or small hacksaw and then clean threads with a file.

Originally Posted by klouan

Hello all,

What is the best way of shortening a socket screw? I have had to replace some existing ones with longer screws but they are a bit too long.

Don't want to bugger up any of my tools by using the wrong thing.

Thanks

Kirstie

cut one way with pliers, turn 180 degrees and cut level with last cut, making an arrow........learnt that of an old tile sparkie and works every time.

Originally Posted by Fred

cut one way with pliers, turn 180 degrees and cut level with last cut, making an arrow........learnt that of an old tile sparkie and works every time.

Yes it does, coz i do it as well..........

Originally Posted by Fred

cut one way with pliers, turn 180 degrees and cut level with last cut, making an arrow........learnt that of an old tile sparkie and works every time.

Are you holding the pliers at an angle of about 45deg to the screw then? It is getting late so i might be sounding a bit thick here!

Originally Posted by grumpygrouter

Are you holding the pliers at an angle of about 45deg to the screw then? It is getting late so i might be sounding a bit thick here!

You are cutting the screw from two directions thus causing it to crush slightly as you cut, leaving a nice point so it goes into the thread easier......

Originally Posted by Dave

You are cutting the screw from two directions thus causing it to crush slightly as you cut, leaving a nice point so it goes into the thread easier......

Thats what I assumed but it didn't quite sound like that with the inital explanation. Just checking.