Modify Your Own Fucking Screws

[Alpinord]

One of the biggest time and life force sucking issues (with little ROI) is dealing with questions about proper screw lengths and heads for the unlimited possibilities relative to all of the different binding types, mounts, shims, etc. Couple this with many who do not have much of a hands on background and expect everything to be cheap, easy and straight forward.

So post up your methods on how to modify screws for various situations.

A couple basic 'tenets':
1) Screws are cheap. Get more than you think you'll need at the moment.
2) In a lot of cases, screws can be shortened and head diameters reduced.
3) Being able to modify screws can save tons of time and effort searching for the perfect screw.
4) Measuring bindings for screws is easy to do!
5) It is impossible to always be stocked with every screw. Often, some sizes are simply not available.
6) If an alpine screw needed cannot be found. Binding Freedom inserts open up unlimited options for using M5 machine screws.
7) M5 machine screws are extremely common and available in a vast array of lengths, head types and driver type. Pozi drive M5 machine screws are unique to Binding Freedom inserts.

[Alpinord]

Regarding screw cutting, here is an initial prototype of a screw cutting 'jig' that anyone can build to shorten screw lengths. (Please offer up any ideas on improving the concept.)

• Binding Freedom inserts were ground down to 6mm to 7mm and and tapped to remove burr.
• (Finding M5 press-in or threaded inserts would be easier and less time consuming).
• Using brass tap-ins for alpine screws is next.
• Drill, tap and install the inserts into hardwood, metal, or other durable material.
• Cut a saw kerf at a known dimension, ie 8mm
• Install screws and measure from kerf to measure point on screw
• Cut with hack saw
• After cutting a screw, typically there is a burr at the end. Leaving a nut on a screw, run it through an insert or a die, can clean it up quickly. Couple that with a little stone work on the tips.

1st run to test idea. When I get time to redo this with more care and better materials, this will change

[Alpinord]

Screw head modifications (reserved)

[gwat]

Ya it ain't rocket science.
I put mine in a vice, upside down then hit them with an angle grinder. Round off the end of the threads and they're good to go. Faster than going to the shop to hassle some kid who probably won't be able to find the right screws anyway.

[FlimFlamvanHam]

threaded part I am to cut off is clamped in vice close to one edge of vice.

Caliper length I need against exposed threads and bring hacksaw blade in line with lower point of caliper. Hack away with saw while holding screw head with free hand.

Dremel with grinding or cutting wheel to clean up hacked portion then a quick wire wheel Dremel.

i do this with reg binding screws and the M5 hardware for inserts. When I first shortened screws i was a lot more meticulous about it than I am now. You can actually do what appears to be a pretty shoddy job and the screw, ski and insert do not seem to know otherwise.

[dschane]

For head modification, I put an acorn nut on the end of the screw, insert the nut into a drill, clamp a panzer file to my bench, and using the drill, I can grind down the head. Only needed to do that to get a flat head machine screw (for BF inserts) into the fifth hole of Dynafit Vertical toes.

[Meadow Skipper]

To modify the screw head and length for B&D shims under my D-fit Verticals:

+


I guess there are some things a hammer won't fix.

[FlimFlamvanHam]

dschane, that's a good idea. I always have jsut freehanded the heads since is does not really matter what they look like as long as they fit and enough material there.

But your way would be just as quick and do a far better job.

[sfotex]

I always put 2 nuts on the screw i want to cut, with an opening for the hacksaw blade adjusted to the length I want to cut to, then cut between the 2 nuts. When you unscrew the nut thats left after you cut it helps remove the burr/helps unfowl the threads.

[PlayItLeo]

Some good tips in here - nice thread (see what I did there)!

You can actually do what appears to be a pretty shoddy job and the screw, ski and insert do not seem to know otherwise.

Totally agree. In a pinch, I've even used bolt cutters to shorten screws. It's not precise, and threads don't look pretty afterwards, but they work fine. Needing out is fun and all, but we're just talking about sliding downhill on some sticks. It's not rocket surgery.

[milotrain]

Get on my level jerry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sAw4Q1PM8Y

[GeezerSteve]

Get on my level jerry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sAw4Q1PM8Y

That tail stock die holder is slick. Gotta make me one of them someday.

[donutlynx]

Need to find or modify some screws into 5.5 x 22mm. Panhead. "Self-tapping" screws - not for inserts.

Best I can find from Tognar (3 blocks from here) is 28mm, but the upper screw body is not threaded. If I cut 6mm off the screws, there may not be 8mm of thread left for insertion (more like 4 to 6mm).

Best I can find from SlideWright in a panhead is 18mm. Too short with 4mm of insertion.

Anyone have a suggestion on where to go next? I guess I could just order the correct screw pack from a dealer, but I only need 4 screws...

[donutlynx]

word. i'll just use a lot of it and it should be fine.

[skis_the_trees]

Can you make some of these work? If so LMK you address I’ll send you what you need.




Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[skuff]

I guess there are some things a hammer won't fix.

Have you tried using a bigger hammer? Sometimes that works.

[Meadow Skipper]

^ the perfect answer, four years after.

[Spyderjon]

Need to find or modify some screws into 5.5 x 22mm. Panhead. "Self-tapping" screws - not for inserts.

Best I can find from Tognar (3 blocks from here) is 28mm, but the upper screw body is not threaded. If I cut 6mm off the screws, there may not be 8mm of thread left for insertion (more like 4 to 6mm).

Best I can find from SlideWright in a panhead is 18mm. Too short with 4mm of insertion.

Anyone have a suggestion on where to go next? I guess I could just order the correct screw pack from a dealer, but I only need 4 screws...

I'm pretty sure I'll have some. It's late evening here so I'll check when I'm in my shop tomorrow.

[skuff]

^ the perfect answer, four years after.

What!?! Is that too late for you? Did you already smash the shit out of that overpriced motherfucker?

Better late than never.

[old goat]

https://www.amazon.com/X-Dr-5-5mmx22.../dp/B07ZB5X1LV

[Meadow Skipper]

What!?! Is that too late for you? Did you already smash the shit out of that overpriced motherfucker?

Better late than never.

. Glad you’re still around to catch that.

[1000-oaks]

Most #12 wood screws are 11 tpi, but #12AB is 14 tpi and virtually a perfect match for ski screws.

[donutlynx]

I'm pretty sure I'll have some. It's late evening here so I'll check when I'm in my shop tomorrow.

Much appreciated, but it looks like I might be able to get something that works at the local HW store...

https://www.amazon.com/X-Dr-5-5mmx22.../dp/B07ZB5X1LV

I was going down this road, but had convinced myself it couldn't be that easy (and that I'd strip them out for sure).

Most #12 wood screws are 11 tpi, but #12AB is 14 tpi and virtually a perfect match for ski screws.

Learning something new today. I'll try not to strip out the #2 Phillips heads. Thanks all for the help.

[Spyderjon]

The nearest I've got is Vist 23mm pan head screws so just need a mm taking off them or I've got Salomon 32.5mm pan heads which will need a bigger trim. Got plenty and happy to post a few out to you (foc) if you can't source locally.