Need to Cut 1/8" Slots in Carriage bolts

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I have over 800 carriage bolts that needs 1/8" wide x 1/8" deep slots cut into them, anybody know of the quickest way to do that?
Reply:How long are the slots?
Reply:Originally Posted by jaywoodHow long are the slots?
Reply:Yes indeed I do.We had the same type of project.  sow we made a channel of two anfgle irons to hold the heads in line. Then we made a cradle for the 4" grinder with a cutting disk or cold blade to run on the top rails of the angle irons. After a bit of changing up and down, it really worked great.  We did about 3k of them in a week.If you are interested, I will send you the sketch/dwg that we used to make it.EnjoyRegards,WWoW  (Wild weldeor on Wheels)
Reply:That would be great!
Reply:What are the tolerances and where are the slots located on the bolts?
Reply:Originally Posted by dbotosWhat are the tolerances and where are the slots located on the bolts?
Reply:Using a cold saw blade like a slitting saw sounds like a good idea then.  I would think this would be better than an abrasive blade, since as the latter wears, you'd have to keep adjusting it's depth.  Maybe have the saw fixed and then the carriage bolts move in a fixture underneath it.  Might be a good idea to have that fixture movement controlled by a lead screw (like on a milling machine) so the blade doesn't catch and send the fixture shooting across the room.
Reply:dj55bIf slotting is required, it's in the budget. You can only budget, if you know how to do it.If you are asking how to do it now; you could notfactor a cost when bidding.  Hence, I can only assume you are asking for a Gyppo answer after you are already, 'in the job'.Today, not all carriage bolt are created equal, What is: the dia. of the bolt,the dia. of the head and,what is the under-cap to crown measurement?Crowned headed - slot screws have a generally square cut at TDC - Machinery's Handbook.A slot - .125 x .125 - corresponds to 5/8" & 3/4" bolts.Provide bolt dimensions, because there is a wide range of operational options, all have different cost/benefits,and are dependent on your tool resources.Opus
Reply:Coburn-Myers has a nice collection of fastener dimensions in pdf format:http://www.coburnmyers.com/spec.html
Reply:Id have to agree a carbide blade sounds a lot better than an abrasive wheel. A metal cutting circular saw comes to mind vs a grinder. Same fixture with a few changes should work..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I have done similar thingsi have a yasue indexer that uses C-5 collets and mounted it on a millyou would not be indexing but the collet setup make for a quick part change and keeping the proper depth of cut when using a slit saw on the millBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:I thought the reason to use carriage bolts was so you didn't have to use a screwdriver???Millermatic 200Hobart Handler 120Victor O/A & Ramco BandsawLincoln 225 ACSnapOn AD HoodMiller XMT304/22AHypertherm Powermax 1650 G3Lincoln Idealarc DC600 w/Extreme 12 VSMiller Digital Elite "Joker"
Reply:Assuming 5/8 or 3/4 bolts I estimate with a proper fixture you could get 18 to 20 bolts per pass, give or take, on a standard knee mill. 800 bolts isn't a quick little job. An hour or so to build the fixture and a few more to run the parts. The milling won't take long it's loading the fixture almost 50 times. If your fixture requires nutting each bolt that could take some time.If I was to use the saw method, I'd take two lengths of flat bar and space them for the bolts square shank. Bolt all the bolts into the slot. Setup a saw guide or troth so the saw runs true. Run the saw down the length. Then you can do any length your brave enough to attempt. An 8' fixture could do 60 per pass. It all depends on your time, budget, and tools you have. Keep us posted.
Reply:I've gotten to where I always use the carriage bolt washers. Yeh they cost a few ¢ but they can turn putting bolts into deck wood into a one man show. Make sure you take that bit of time to get the teeth inline with the grain. They dig in better that way. Of course they ain't worth a hoot on steel "The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:Originally Posted by forhireIf I was to use the saw method, I'd take two lengths of flat bar and space them for the bolts square shank. Bolt all the bolts into the slot. Setup a saw guide or troth so the saw runs true. Run the saw down the length. Then you can do any length your brave enough to attempt. An 8' fixture could do 60 per pass. It all depends on your time, budget, and tools you have. Keep us posted.
Reply:Thanks for all your responses. I wasn't able to respond sooner as I had vacation pre-planned before this job came around and had to scramble to make something work for my guys to use. To answer a few questions, I had already quote to do these things for the company and I had actually over quoted to try and not to do them, but they accepted. Cost was 3$ a bolt to do. That was slotting them, and taking the square part off the shoulder. I did end up using a worm gear drive saw (I do have a mill and a lathe, but don't think that neither was the best option). I've attached a picture to show both my fixtures welded onto the edge of the table. Took about 30 second for each fixture to cut through each set laid in there. Attached Images
Reply:Thinking outside the box...very goodBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:A little late , but if it was me, or to do it again, Flat bar jig as suggested above with some spacers on the outside of the heads to remain flat as I pass the whole works down a table saw blade, probably the steel demon, seems to me you could slot some bolts quickly like that."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:I know this is off topic but cause I see it ime gonna ask. How is the steel demon blade, I was looking into one for my circular saw. What are its good and bad points? Overall would you recommend it?PROUD   AMERICAN
Reply:Are you gonna let us in on why/what these are being used for? Love to know. Don't you love it when the client says yes to the bugger-off price! ha ha ha200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:How about contacting one of the dozens upon dozens of fastener manufacturers to just make you up a batch of 800.  Then increase the price by 30% and pass that on to the customer.  I see custom, bizzare and non-typical fasteners (ie nuts & bolts) come through my plating company all the time.   Many fastener companies already have designs made up for what you're looking for.  It would save you a lot of time and labor.  Just a thought.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Originally Posted by dj55b. . .That was slotting them, and taking the square part off the shoulder.
Reply:Originally Posted by Fletcher94I know this is off topic but cause I see it ime gonna ask. How is the steel demon blade, I was looking into one for my circular saw. What are its good and bad points? Overall would you recommend it?
Reply:Originally Posted by bert the welderAre you gonna let us in on why/what these are being used for? Love to know. Don't you love it when the client says yes to the bugger-off price! ha ha haOriginally Posted by denrepIt does sound like the end product was similar to a slotted head machine screw.
Reply:Originally Posted by Fletcher94I know this is off topic but cause I see it ime gonna ask. How is the steel demon blade, I was looking into one for my circular saw. What are its good and bad points? Overall would you recommend it?