How to make BOLTS longer - Lengthen Extend Bolts -

Any length of bolt is now achievable. This same technique is used in shortening car axle shafts that handle 100's of horsepower.

Tools I used in the video:

VIDEO THOUGHTS
Mig it and be done is seconds. You can also Flux Core, Oxy acetylene, or even stick weld if it's big enough.
Don't Quench:
Why? because you will never match the factory hardening process in your garage and will worse case make the bolt fragile/brittle. Sure allowing it to cool slowly naturally is going to make the metal soft, but that's like saying I only want soft rocks thrown at me. It's still strong/hard. It will just bend or stretch easier vs snapping. The shaft of any give bolt is over 25% stronger than the thread area as it has 25%+ larger surface area. Not having it tempered properly is not going to reduce the strength more than this.

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[alc]

I've lengthened (or shortened) bolts this way many times... You really don't need the half lap for a regular strength bolt, just sharpen both pieces to be joined to a point & fill it in with weld (Grade 5 or 8 would need to be heat treated after welding to retain their strength)... Also, I opened up a window on the back side of my angle iron jig so I can weld both sides without releasing the clamps which helps avoid any twisting or warping...

[theomnipresent]

When I first saw the title I checked to see if it was April Fools day. Get the bolt stretcher son; oldest trick in the book...

[jamesvanhoose]

For fun I would like to see you "test" these bolts to failure. I know it will not behave the same as a real grade 5 or 8. But it would be cool to see how much it changes.

[waltschannel]

Great trick. This is very similar to what I did years ago when the volume control went out on my stereo and I couldn't find a potentiometer with a long enough shaft. So I cut a shaft off of another pot, and spliced it to the short one exactly like you did. The problem I had was I didn't have a welder so what I did is drill two small holes through the shaft and put two small screws in to secure it.

[rbilzing]

I needed a longer neck and matching bolt for a bicycle and used this same method. I did arc weld it, though with an 80 amp invertor welder and 1/16th rod. Worked just fine. Thanx.

[dougpeirce]

The Milwaukee M12 right angle die grinder set up with the quick loc sanding disc is a great finishing tool. I lengthen bolts on occasion but grind the two end to a point then weld them solid and grind them round. Good for government work.

[paulorchard]

Yeh, watched just because my finger spent too long on the thumbnail as I was scrolling through! Liked and commented because you took the time to create and post! Enough said!

[muddyfences]

Moe, I love your no non-sense approach. I have made bolts from all thread, shortened bolts, and the like. It really boils down to the final application of the bolt and getting on with the project. Keep it up.

[dgadams]

Never pass up an opportunity to go to the “bolt store”

[chrissscottt]

Threaded rod is handy for standard diameters and threads. Costs around $3 per meter for say, 10mm rod, you cut the length you need and weld or pin a nut at one end. I particularly like using stainless steel rod.

[WVdavidB]

There was an article in my 4 wheeler magazine when I was a teen extending bolts. they beveled the ends and welded back together. Thanks for the video.

[bctruck]

Our bolt store is right next to the nail and screw store, and across the street from the donut store. Its a good day when I have to go shopping for bolts! Great idea!

[mikemorgan]

I've had really good luck doing the same scarf technique but using silicon bronze brazing rod or silver solder(the good stuff 45 or 56% silver not the "silver bearing" solder from the Depot or Lowes) and a TS 4000 or 8000 torch. For those without a welding machine, it's the bees knees. The fit has to be pretty tight for the silver solder but it's strong as hell. The bronze fills gaps better and is easier to control with the torch imo. Keep up the great videos.

[colleenoloughlin]

You are the greatest youtuber that ever made videos!

[AtimatikArmy]

Another brilliant one Moe, seriously, you ARE the DIY MASTER, period.

[skullcrusher]

I've done this countless times to fab' longer bolts.
None have ever failed !
However, I've also Never use them for anything "requiring" a torque-setting: head-bolt, wheel-lug, etc.
Well done @sixtyfiveford...!

[jackrichards]

Many comments are just vents for disapproval. Anyway the bolt is stronger than a six inch nail and it'll do what it has to. New method to me. Thank you!

[MaverickandStuff]

If you need a really long bolt, you could do this with a solid rod and make it however long you need.

[craigtate]

Brilliant idea. I had recently considered a similar idea for a bolt on my mill. Just didn't think about splicing together the way you did. Much better idea

[b-lopez]

I welded and used many bolts numerous times to get the length I need. I used it in noncritical application. Example of this are : axle bolt on a wheelbarrow that doesn't have to be tighten, just snug fit, bolted lumber together, battery hold down bolts or any project that need to be bolted and it is safe to use. Of course you won't use it in an engine or suspension application. You can use it in conjunction with other bolts temporarily as long as it is safe.