To precisely shorten bolts in the lathe I made slotted collets for each bolt diameter. They are fractional in length to measure off the end, so you know where to cut for your length. I’ve used large o.d. valve guides and aluminum round stock. Just make the collet big enough to clear the bolt flange, hex or socket head.
Randy Torvinen
Torvinen’s Machine Shop
Menahga, MN
JULY, 2023
