I have two bolts that I need to take down the heads on, but I don't have a lathe of my own to do it.

Comments

vhalros t1_jd855no wrote on March 22, 2023 at 3:01 PM

For just two bolts can you put it in a vise and use a Dremel or something? Seems like overkill to use a lathe unless it needs to be really precise or something.

[deleted] t1_jd8f5vm wrote on March 22, 2023 at 4:05 PM

[deleted]

jasongetsdown t1_jda2ivj wrote on March 22, 2023 at 10:24 PM

Artisans asylum is now in Allston.

blacklassie t1_jd7yuzz wrote on March 22, 2023 at 2:19 PM

Might try The Foundry in Kendall Sq. It has a metalworking shop. (I can’t speak to whether it has a lathe.) Alternatively, if you have an electric drill that you can strap to a work surface, stick the bolt in the chuck and turn the head down with a metal file.

cptninc OP t1_jd84bhs wrote on March 22, 2023 at 2:56 PM

I checked their website and don't see a lathe listed. The Foundry is really just a community dance center and not an actual makerspace.

The bolt is hardened steel, so I don't think a drill and a file will end up being a workable solution.

Maybe I'll just find someone at Artisan's Asylum who will accept beer as payment.

waffles2go2 t1_jd8sujj wrote on March 22, 2023 at 5:30 PM

What about an angle grinder or grinder blade on a drill? Those should go through hardened steel pretty easily.

cptninc OP t1_jd8vafl wrote on March 22, 2023 at 5:46 PM

I need some decent control on the final diameter. This is basically a shoulder bolt where I want to take the head diameter down to match the shoulder.