Makeing custom bolts

[Shea_G]

Im looking for some projects to get to learn to use my new metal lathe. I was thinging of making some custom brass bolts for my chop. There's already a lot of brass on it so I think It'd look good. Any one else done this? Any tips? I was thinking of starting with 5/8 brass hex and working from there. Ive attached pics of the design I thought was alright and of my bike. Ide leave the bottom "ring" hexogonal so I could put a wrench on it. They would be going on my fender struts and other places I could find spots for them. Also thinking of doing the axle bolts and using inserts for them.

[the09phoenix]

brass is a bad idea. just saying. its not a very stong metal so the threads will not hold tight or will strip out under pressure ( over tightening) you can do it but i would almost suggest to use the lathe to round out ur hex then use a standard tap and die set.

[moejoe03]

Why not just use steel studs and thread the brass spikes onto them? I love my lathe, I bought it out of frustration with the local clown who was making my spacers, and in the last year I've come up with a hundred uses. Great machine to have.

[pop 28]

i use brass nuts but with a fine thread and not in a stress application as for bolts a use a harden threaded rod, red locktite a brass nut then cut to length to create a bolt

[Poop]

what application is not stressed by constant vibration and road jolts?

brass bolts, particularly of cut thread and not rolled, are not a good idea. what keeps harmonic vibrations within reason on parts like mirrors and fenders is a sufficient clamp by a properly tightened fastener. brass bolts cannot begin to produce adequate clamping force to prevent stretching by vibration. same would apply for brass nuts threaded on rod, unless they were incredibly tall nuts (think specialty exhaust nuts).

[joyridin']

Agreed on the rolled part. Rolling the thread or forming it would be a much better idea than cutting the thread. Also, instead of brass, do a little homework an look into some bronze. There are many different grades of bronze and some of it is pretty tough.

Personally though, I would use steel and just have it brass coated or the brass spikes like stated above.

[Shea_G]

I dont mind using a tap and die. I like the idea of using threaded steel with a brass spike but does that not just shift the stress from the external threads of the shaft to the internal threads of the brass spike?

[joyridin']

So are you going to use the brass spike as the nut? I assumed you were going to make the spike and the stud as one unit all out of one piece of brass. The design you are showing in your pics show a steel stud, a steel nut, and a chrome spike.

There is a tool made for cutting an internal hex shape in an ID of a part. You could drill a hole in the brass spike, cut a hex shape in the end of the brass spike, thread the remainder of the hole, embed a steel nut in the hex of the brass stud, then thread that onto your stud. You would have a steel nut inside the brass spike to actually do the holding and have the brass spike for show.

[Shea_G]

Could you tell me the name of that internal hex cutting tool? That sounds like the best way and just cap a steel bolt with the brass spike.

[joyridin']

It is called a wobble broach, but there is a cheaper version I am trying to find for you. They are kind of expensive from what i am seeing unless you plan on making a fair amount of parts.

I was at a machine distributor open house a few months ago and they had a cheaper version. I am trying to find the brand for you. They were using it on a manual lathe. Looked like it worked quite well.

[BBChopper]

Originally Posted by moejoe03

Why not just use steel studs and thread the brass spikes onto them? I love my lathe, I bought it out of frustration with the local clown who was making my spacers, and in the last year I've come up with a hundred uses. Great machine to have.

X2 I love mine too, they come in handy!!!