Does a Die work backward

coachgeo

Well-known member

Equipment
L225 w/woods Few Mowers & Back Blade, D722 in Motorcycle (Triumph Tiger), LMTV
Nov 16, 2012
2,460
32
48
Southern OH
As in Tap and Die...... not rising one from the dead.

as in if one has a bolt to shorten (sawzall) and sometimes that buggers threads on the end.... what if you put the correct die on it first..... cut off bolt to size..... then ran the die off backward to clean up the thread. Would keep all the threads lined up that way.
 

nbryan

Well-known member

Equipment
B2650 BH77 LA534 54" ssqa Forks B2782B BB1560 Woods M5-4 MaxxHaul 50039
Jan 3, 2019
1,161
705
113
Hadashville, Manitoba, Canada
Should work but suggest putting on the die bit backwards so the cutting side faces the cut end when removing.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk
 

Lil Foot

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
1979 B7100DT Gear, Nissan Hanix N150-2 Excavator
May 19, 2011
7,259
2,203
113
Peoria, AZ
That will work, but if I need to do that, I just run the die on backwards first, then it has the cutting edges in the right direction as you run the die off the cut off end of the bolt. And of course use a file or grinder to chamfer the cut off end before running the die off.
 

Lil Foot

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
1979 B7100DT Gear, Nissan Hanix N150-2 Excavator
May 19, 2011
7,259
2,203
113
Peoria, AZ
I just use a nut, not a die. It has always worked.
Bruce
Usually does, just a matter of how much the threads get distorted in the cut process.
Hacksaw, nut works great; abrasive cutoff saw, a little less great; chopped with a bolt cutter, not so much.:)
Bolt (or all thread) material has a lot to do with it also. Hard, quality material usually cuts cleaner and with less distortion than cheap, soft, gummy material.
Of course, a metal lathe works pretty well also.
 

bird dogger

Well-known member
Vendor Member

Equipment
Kubota B2650 and lots of other equipment
Feb 24, 2019
1,569
1,409
113
North Dakota
As in Tap and Die...... not rising one from the dead.

what if you put the correct die on it first..... cut off bolt to size..... then ran the die off backward to clean up the thread. Would keep all the threads lined up that way.
Running a die backwards does work but the die's teeth are much more susceptible to chipping or breaking. Maybe not so much in your application unless the cut really buggers up the end threads. As mentioned, spinning on a nut first works most times. You can also use "thread chasers" meant to clean up threads that have become dinged, etc.

One simple way that works well is to spin on a sacrificial nut first. Then cut your bolt. Follow that up by running the cut end with the nut against a belt sander to sand the bolt's threads smooth against the nut. After removing the nut you can lightly touch up/bevel the cut edge with the belt sander or a file.
 

chim

Well-known member

Equipment
L4240HSTC with FEL, Ford 1210
Jan 19, 2013
1,738
821
113
Near Lancaster, PA, USA
As mentioned, running a nut on first works fine. It depends on the size of the threaded bolt/allthread and the application. At work we cut thousands of pieces of 1/4" through 1/2" allthread on bandsaws for conduit and pipe hangers and do nothing. Larger diameter threads tend to not be as fussy.

Most electricians have cutters for #6 thru #10 machine screws something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/VISE-GRIP-Stripping-Cutter-8-Inch-2078309/dp/B000JNNWQ2/ref=asc_df_B000JNNWQ2/?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid={creative}&hvpos={adposition}&hvnetw=o&hvrand={random}&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl={devicemodel}&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584276296708160&psc=1

For some applications where the item will be disassembled and reassembled, I'll cut with whatever tool is handy and grind a bevel on the end to get a nice starter thread and get rid of sharp edges. Best grind in the direction from the outside towards center so the material being ground away doesn't deform the threads.
 

Tughill Tom

Well-known member

Equipment
B3200
Dec 23, 2013
1,102
1,116
113
Turin, NY
Just use a nut and a bit of oil to help clean out any burrs. Maybe touch the bolt up with file. Save the Die for cutting as designed.
 

chim

Well-known member

Equipment
L4240HSTC with FEL, Ford 1210
Jan 19, 2013
1,738
821
113
Near Lancaster, PA, USA
We use mostly "yellow" tools at work and have a few of the DeWalt cutters. They are used for cutting allthread. They are good for 1/4-1/2" mild steel and max 3/8" SS. Primary use is trimming allthread on trapeze hangers. Our work is electrical and HVAC construction and we don't have a need to trim Grade 8.
 

BruceP

Well-known member

Equipment
G5200H
Aug 7, 2016
835
353
63
Richmond, Vermont, USA
I agree with using a nut or putting the die on backwards so it will cut as it is removed.

I also suggest cutting threaded-components with a CUT_OFF wheel. There is MUCH less risk of disturbing the threads with a cut-off wheel.

If the threads do get buggered.... simply use bench-grinder to LIGHTLY touch up the circumference (of the end) of the threaded-component... a grinder is less likely turn over the threads than a saw.
 

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
9,673
3,925
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
I usually thread TWO nuts onto the bolt, lock them at the 'cutting' spot,hold in vice, use thin blade in angle grinder. The hold bolt by head, unscrew both nuts, maybe 'ouchup' the trheads on a buffing wheel, maybe.
 

Orange4X4

Member

Equipment
L2350DT with loader , 52" Taylor Way , Ratchet Rake , Land Pride post hole
Aug 12, 2018
40
1
8
Concordia, MO
1/4 -20 or bigger I've taken a grade 8 nut and used a triangle file & cut slots in the nut threads in three places and used as a re-threader when not had anything else.
 

Tim Horton

Active member
Mar 22, 2018
245
41
28
Lake Superior
After many years in tool and die machine shops, custom fasteners having been one of my specialties.

It has been my experience you would have better results using
"thread repairing dies"

They are relatively inexpensive all considered, and if you have the volume of work for a tool like that, well worth the price.

Thread cutting dies are well suited for what they are intended, but too fragile for other uses.

One example....
https://www.mcmaster.com/thread-restoring-dies