Homemade Tools Screw Holder

[Tom Wesenberg]

I needed 2 chrome plated #6 sheet metal trim screws 3/8" long, and couldn't find any that short. This isn't the first time I've needed to hold screws for wire brushing the threads or for cutting to length, so I decided to make a holder. I had a piece of brass that I drilled a .144" hole through the center. I then counterbored it with a 17/64" drill bit and threaded it for a 5/16" fine thread bolt. The counterbore runs the full length except for about 1/8" to hold the screw. The bolt presses against the screw head and also can be chucked into the lathe or held in your hand while you spin it against the cutoff wheel of a Dremel.

[Ray64]

Tom you da man. What an ingenious idea. Ive lost a lot of small screws that was. Thanks for all the great ideas

[tbirdtbird]

Nice work as always.
In a sense a mini dent-puller type construction

[Smog Tech]

Great tool Tom. Thanks for sharing.

[ericr]

LOL these are great tool concepts but I might look twice at the "homemade" designation....unless one's home is a well-equipped machine shop and the talent to run it. I salute those who possess that advantage.

I'd like to hire Tom to duplicate the KRW wheel hub bolt removal/installation fixture.

[Pete]

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Screw holders of various types can be had from companies that specialize in electronics service tools. They usually have a different size on each end.
Some are metal and some plastic.

[ericr]

Originally Posted by 1930 coupe

You mean this tool. It was homemade in my shop.

you wanna make and sell another one?

[Doug in NJ]

Originally Posted by 1930 coupe

You mean this tool. It was homemade in my shop.

Hello,

The old catalog page seems to show someone swaging the stud into place with a hammer instead of a press. It that actually practical?

Doug

[DJ S]

Originally Posted by 1930 coupe

Back in the day they were mostly done with a hammer. Now most people use a press. Either way will work well, IF YOU USE THE PROPER TOOLS AND SETUP.

My grandfather couldn't even find someone that had a press and the knowledge to install a model a hub bolt. He ended up having a guy weld them in...

[RUNNERBUN]

Originally Posted by ericr

LOL these are great tool concepts but I might look twice at the "homemade" designation....unless one's home is a well-equipped machine shop and the talent to run it. I salute those who possess that advantage.

I'd like to hire Tom to duplicate the KRW wheel hub bolt removal/installation fixture.

There is no doubt that Tom is a talented man with lots of great ideas, however this tool can be duplicated by the average home handyman without the use of a well equipped workshop. All that is required is a drill and an Acorn Nut. Less than ten seconds to make.

[ericr]

Originally Posted by Doug in NJ

Hello,

The old catalog page seems to show someone swaging the stud into place with a hammer instead of a press. It that actually practical?

Doug

I wondered about that too. Do you think maybe the studs were softer metal back then and only required a minor expansion to hold in place?

[ericr]

Originally Posted by RUNNERBUN

There is no doubt that Tom is a talented man with lots of great ideas, however this tool can be duplicated by the average home handyman without the use of a well equipped workshop. All that is required is a drill and an Acorn Nut. Less than ten seconds to make.

Governor, no way can anyone center and drill two holes, then tap it for threads within ten seconds, unless he is Superman.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by ericr

Governor, no way can anyone center and drill two holes, then tap it for threads within ten seconds, unless he is Superman.

Only requires one hole in the acorn nut, I've made them myself...

[RUNNERBUN]

Originally Posted by ericr

Governor, no way can anyone center and drill two holes, then tap it for threads within ten seconds, unless he is Superman.

Sorry Ericr, I didn't think I needed to explain what an Acorn nut is, it comes complete with an internal thread.

[bikejunk]

if you grind a flat spot on the tip of the acorn nut it will be cake to drill .

[dave in australia]

Originally Posted by bikejunk

if you grind a flat spot on the tip of the acorn nut it will be cake to drill .

If you drill from the inside, the shape of the acorn dome will self centre the drill. No need for a centre punch, or grinding a flat.

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by dave in australia

If you drill from the inside, the shape of the acorn dome will self centre the drill. No need for a centre punch, or grinding a flat.

That's what I was thinking! Just hadn't tried it yet.

[Tom Wesenberg]

The acorn is a good idea and saves some work. I would counterdrill for the oval head and flat head screws to have a countersunk pocket though. Of course, no need if you have round head or pan head screws.