Model hex head bolts

[cfellows]

One of the things I would like to do on my Fairbanks model engine is use Hex Head screws to improve the authenticity.  I'm probably not the first to think of this, but it ocurred to me that I could just mill the round heads of socket head cap screws into a hex shape and have what I need without a lot of work.  This is what I wound up with starting with a 4-40 screw...





I used an end mill to cut the facets, but a file and file rest or a grinder would probably give a better looking finish.

Chuck

[tvoght]

Do you intend to fill in the socket cavity with JB Weld or something?

--Tim

[steamer]

A file gives a real nice finish.   Just takes longer....depending on size...

The nice thing about a filing rest in this application , is it is exactly where you turned it to start with....assuming your using a bar stock

I haven't tried filing a SHCS yet...

Dave

[Mainer]

Does that leave enough of a head? SHCS heads are pretty small to begin with. If you're satisfied though, it is a nice shortcut to making model bolts. Note that scale head size should be about 1.5 times the bolt diameter, if you're concerned about such things.

One suggestion: use fine threads. I assume it's too late now, but fine threads are closer to scale. Consider a 1"-8 bolt. Scaled down to quarter side, it should be 1/4"-32.