trouble with SS hardware

[bob johnson]

In the process of rebuilding a Starcraft I have, I ran into serious issues with SS hardware galling, and locking up , long before it was cinching up the items I was trying to bolt together. This is happening with SS 1/4-20 pan head screws as well as hex head bolt when I use SS locknuts.... I eventually reduced the percentage of ruined bolts when I started to grease the threads prior to installation. I am thinking it is probably the type of SS they are using.. I was getting the nuts stuck when threading them onto the bolt after threading on over 1/2" with a good 1/4" still to go and they lock up so tight, you cant even remove them!! Its NOT crossed threads. ITS GALLING...I have cut off about 50% of the bolts I used on my transom!! Another thing that irritates me is how easy the Phillips head driver indent in the pan heads strips. the SS is just sooo soft... I tried to buy torx head but they only offered them up to 2" and I needed 2.5".... thus I eventually went with hex head bolts...at least I can hold the head while I tighten the nut!! I really think it might be a material issue or a quality issue or a combo...because when I bought some pan heads bolts from one hardware store , I could hold the Phillips head with a screw driver while the nut was tightened very tight...but all the ones I bought elsewhere would strip at 1/2 the torque! unfortunately that store ran out and hasn't replenished in a month! anyone else has this kind of issue with SS hardware???

bob

 

[Scott Danforth]

all 18-8 or 316 stainless fasteners gall. they are a one-time use fastener (they will gall on installation, and you can never get to full torque the second time you attempt to tighten) you are correct, there is no strength there. They have less strength than grade 2 hardware. and against bare aluminum in salt water will cause galvanic corrosion.

we have even gone to Bumax 88 and Bumax 109 on certain fasteners as well as 17-4 at work. for structural fasteners we use flourokote coated fasteners and cover them with 5200 under a decorative cap

we use tef-gel and nyloc nuts on non-structural fasteners. the tef-gel requires reducing the torque by 15%. the bolts will loosen up over time with tef-gel, hence the requirement of nylocs.

 

[64osby]

What store are you buying them at? Sounds like very poor quality fasteners.

Would recommend going to an industrial hardware distributor.

Stainless should be slightly harder then a #2 grade.

 

[gm280]

I would be real curious as to where those Stainless steel hardware were manufactured. Lots of times those type of problems are associated with import hardware from...well...you know where. Seems they have a problem setting their machines to SAE specs. And if the same company doesn't make both the bolt and nut, then slight differences will cause such problems. If you've ever read how many 1/4 X 20 type threads there are, you wouldn't believe it. Same with tapes and dies. They make a large number of what you would think simple tapes and dies. So everything has to be spot on. We don't seem to have such issues with quality hardware manufacturers, but import hardware is iffy at best. I know I have thread gauges for both SAE and Metric hardware. And occasionally I get thread pitches that are neither. So it is really interesting buying quality hardware. I do purchase a lot of my hardware online from reputable distributors in hundred count lots or more. Saves money in the long run. JMHO!

 

[StingrayMike]

I have seen similar issues. Not sure if its poor quality or what. When I get fasteners, now I make sure the nut fits the entire length of the bolt.

 

[bob johnson]

I have seen similar issues. Not sure if its poor quality or what. When I get fasteners, now I make sure the nut fits the entire length of the bolt.

I was using nyloc nuts exclusively....you cant 'check the fit" before hand!