accu9 Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 (edited) Did a search, I could not find anything in specific. I'm installing a new mount today (Limcat RTS2), what is the simplest and/or SAFEST method to trim the optic mount screws so they are flush inside the frame? I'm leaning towards snuggling up the mount, marking the long screws then trimming with a Dremel and repeating. I'm extremely worried about keeping the screws flat as I don't want to cross thread the frame. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Edited July 26, 2016 by accu9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMike Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 I've used a buddy's belt sander and that worked really well. It was also very fast. Absent that, I've also used a dremel with a grinder attachment. I just "eye-balled" the screws to keep them evenly flat. Cross threading hasn't been an issue for me. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyler2you Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 I use a 1/4" thick piece of steel with a hole I tapped/threaded for the screws. I thread the screws into the steel and cut them off a bit long with a dremel cutoff wheel. Then I finish them up to length with a file so they're nice and flat on the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcc7x7 Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 Don't do them in the gun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPostman Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 I use a 1/4" thick piece of steel with a hole I tapped/threaded for the screws. I thread the screws into the steel and cut them off a bit long with a dremel cutoff wheel. Then I finish them up to length with a file so they're nice and flat on the end. +1 makes it real easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theWacoKid Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 Thread a nut on to the length I want. Hold the nut with needle nose pliers, put a wrench in the socket head to keep it from turning, and then hit it on a belt sander. Alternate method is thread a nut all the way on, hold that with pliers, hit the end with a sanding drum on a dremel, and keep measuring. Clean up the end with a file when done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 Estimate length and zip them off with a dremel cut off wheel. Clean up with a file. They won't cross thread if you just use your noggin when installing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzt Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 I use a vertical belt sander. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxbat Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 I use a 1/4" thick piece of steel with a hole I tapped/threaded for the screws. I thread the screws into the steel and cut them off a bit long with a dremel cutoff wheel. Then I finish them up to length with a file so they're nice and flat on the end. That is close to what I do too. When I file the end, I make sure the screws are almost flush with the surface of that metal piece, this way the end will be perfectly square. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyler2you Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 I use a 1/4" thick piece of steel with a hole I tapped/threaded for the screws. I thread the screws into the steel and cut them off a bit long with a dremel cutoff wheel. Then I finish them up to length with a file so they're nice and flat on the end. That is close to what I do too. When I file the end, I make sure the screws are almost flush with the surface of that metal piece, this way the end will be perfectly square. Yep, it's definitely the way to go if you will need to trim more than one or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davsco Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 Was worried about damaging threads but used stationary belt sander and worked great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
accu9 Posted July 28, 2016 Author Share Posted July 28, 2016 Fantastic info, thank you very much to all that posted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dons Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 Ace Hardware is now selling "gun screws" and they also have a pre-drilled steel plate that has 6-40, 6-48, and 8-40 holes. It's about 3 or 4 inches long, less than $2, and you can use it to hold the screws as you trim. When you back the screw out, it helps clean up the threads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPostman Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 Ace Hardware is now selling "gun screws" and they also have a pre-drilled steel plate that has 6-40, 6-48, and 8-40 holes. It's about 3 or 4 inches long, less than $2, and you can use it to hold the screws as you trim. When you back the screw out, it helps clean up the threads. I get my screws from there, they have a good selection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tech32 Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 Some electricians wire strippers have different sizes of thread cutters in the handle. Thread in the correct distance, squeeze handle, and cut screw. Then when you back the screw out, it cleans up the threads. I am sure depending on the hardness of the screw, it may not work though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryPScott Posted August 3, 2016 Share Posted August 3, 2016 I put a nut on the screw grind or sand it down a little then take the nut off and test then repeat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamikaze1a Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 Threading a nut onto the screw before the cut and then removing after the cut does a good job of "chasing" the threads back to original... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaylanGivens Posted May 30, 2017 Share Posted May 30, 2017 Brazos RTS2 mount... Screws were long, so I held each one up to the fine wheel on my grinder... Checked to see if it was short enough in the gun... Didn't have trouble with the threads, but most of the other methods noted here seem better/safer than just grinding them off... I like the Brazos screws because they are Torx head... Can tighten them down without stripping the small allen wrench usually used... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jht05016 Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 I thread then into the gun with the mount and see how much needs to come off. I do a roughb guess of the count of threads hanging out. Then using a SUPER thin cutoff wheel, I trim them between threads. Note, take the screws out of the gun first! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ano Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 what is the most popular thread of the screws? considering redrilling for a smidge larger if I can get torx heads. I fixed some stuff on a friends gun, had the tony mount, seemed liked M4, was supersolid, and finethread, torx heads, but small enough even for fitting to the SVI mounts (replaceing mounts on it) Really appreciate the tips. on my current 2 guns I used (now both broken) the mount was put on once.. and never fell off.. so ironicly not so used to THIS aspec of workin on guns. also used to wide frames, so lots of space to thread on.. now I have 3 thin frames with misc threads.. yay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theWacoKid Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 6-40 is most common I've seen. 5-40 is used too (CK) and is the only option I can source for torx-plus screws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ano Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 I have one frame here I have issues with, I have some what I guess is 6-40, they came with the new SVI rts2 mounts, the thread area measure 3.40mm Im guessing this is 5-40 as its so close, but no cigar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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