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Best Nuts & Bolts
GrumpyOne - 25/7/09 at 04:03 PM

Which are the best nuts and bolts to buy for my build? I know there are different ones for different jobs but as a rule of thumb which is the best grade i.e stainless steel?

I have a friend who owns a fastner company and he will supply them cheap for me if I tell him what I want.
I would feel silly asking him about his nuts though.

dave1888 - 25/7/09 at 04:28 PM

Personally i use Stainless Steel cap heads for almost everything apart from what has to be put together with high tensile jobbies.

Peteff - 25/7/09 at 04:36 PM

He should be able to advise you what best suits your needs. 8.8 are up to most jobs on a car though.

JekRankin - 25/7/09 at 05:03 PM

I'm also looking to stock up on fasteners in preparation for my build.

Can anyone recommend a supplier for a good selection box of cap headed stainless bolts?

Canada EH! - 25/7/09 at 05:10 PM

if he can supply aircraft grade AN, they are the best. Stainless has much lower stress values. Most AN hardware is still in Imperial measure as the US of A are dragging their feet.

iank - 25/7/09 at 05:38 PM

quote:
Originally posted by JekRankin
I'm also looking to stock up on fasteners in preparation for my build.

Can anyone recommend a supplier for a good selection box of cap headed stainless bolts?


Namrick do mixed packs
http://www.namrick.co.uk/browse.asp?PCID=14

Though strictly they are screws rather than bolts (on screws the thread goes all the way up o the head, bolts have a smooth shank).

I went for 8.8 BZP bolts, 12.9 cap heads and 10.9 button heads.

GrumpyOne - 25/7/09 at 05:42 PM

quote:
Originally posted by JekRankin
I'm also looking to stock up on fasteners in preparation for my build.

Can anyone recommend a supplier for a good selection box of cap headed stainless bolts?


Thanks everyone for your help, you can tell my build is going to be a challenge for me

I am playing golf with my chum tomorrow and I am sure he does mailorder. I will ask him how much discount he will give to locost builders

Colin

mad4x4 - 25/7/09 at 06:33 PM

Things like seat belts need to be put in with 8.8 Grade or Better Bots this Means Steel Metric.

A2 Grade Stainless is Not nearly as strong as an 8.8 Metric.


I would uses proper steel bolts for critical parts like suspension not STAINLESS STEEL

iank - 25/7/09 at 07:02 PM

quote:
Originally posted by mad4x4
Things like seat belts need to be put in with 8.8 Grade or Better Bots this Means Steel Metric.

A2 Grade Stainless is Not nearly as strong as an 8.8 Metric.


I would uses proper steel bolts for critical parts like suspension not STAINLESS STEEL


Harness bolts are imperial as standard (7/16". Grade S is the imperial equivalent of 8.8.

Agree on all other points

Litemoth - 25/7/09 at 09:14 PM

Are there not galvanic issues with SS fasteners in steel-housed applications though?

Go for plated steel 8:8 grade (often 12:9 for cap heads)- a selection of M6, M8 M10 & M12 conventional nuts and bolts (cap heads and standard). Silver and gold passivate (colour of finish) is available as std too.

[Edited on 25/7/09 by Litemoth]

rusty nuts - 26/7/09 at 07:29 AM

quote:
Originally posted by iank
quote:
Originally posted by mad4x4
Things like seat belts need to be put in with 8.8 Grade or Better Bots this Means Steel Metric.

A2 Grade Stainless is Not nearly as strong as an 8.8 Metric.


I would uses proper steel bolts for critical parts like suspension not STAINLESS STEEL


Harness bolts are imperial as standard (7/16". Grade S is the imperial equivalent of 8.8.

Agree on all other points



Seconded.

Peteff - 26/7/09 at 08:26 AM

Harness bolts can be metric equivalent of or better than 7/16" unf. You don't have to use the standard ones.

iank - 31/7/09 at 09:04 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
Harness bolts can be metric equivalent of or better than 7/16" unf. You don't have to use the standard ones.


Are you suggesting drilling out the triangle plates to the next biggest metric size? I don't believe you are allowed to modify those and retain the harness certifications.

While it would probably work and be safe the IVA/SVA man would be well within his rights to fail them as not up to the correct specification.

Why not use the bolts you're given with the harnesses for free? Not worth the risk IMO.

Peteff - 31/7/09 at 09:23 AM

quote:
Originally posted by iank
quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
Harness bolts can be metric equivalent of or better than 7/16" unf. You don't have to use the standard ones.


Are you suggesting drilling out the triangle plates to the next biggest metric size? I don't believe you are allowed to modify those and retain the harness certifications.

While it would probably work and be safe the IVA/SVA man would be well within his rights to fail them as not up to the correct specification.

Why not use the bolts you're given with the harnesses for free? Not worth the risk IMO.


You read a lot into my post that I didn't write Ian. If you want to go completely metric you can get 11mm bolts which will fit through the hole. My harnesses had a top hat spacer which the triangle plates swivel on so you could drill that and not touch the harness at all.

iank - 31/7/09 at 11:12 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
quote:
Originally posted by iank
quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
Harness bolts can be metric equivalent of or better than 7/16" unf. You don't have to use the standard ones.


Are you suggesting drilling out the triangle plates to the next biggest metric size? I don't believe you are allowed to modify those and retain the harness certifications.

While it would probably work and be safe the IVA/SVA man would be well within his rights to fail them as not up to the correct specification.

Why not use the bolts you're given with the harnesses for free? Not worth the risk IMO.


You read a lot into my post that I didn't write Ian. If you want to go completely metric you can get 11mm bolts which will fit through the hole. My harnesses had a top hat spacer which the triangle plates swivel on so you could drill that and not touch the harness at all.


That's why there was a question mark
It's my understanding that modifying any part of the harness voids the test certifications. While in reality you're not likely to get caught you are taking a risk of a picky tester getting strict with you.

Even using 11mm bolts though a 7/16" hole is somewhat dodgy IMO, and I think most people reading your post would assume standard M12 is being suggested, I certainly did.

Personally I've never come across 11mm bolts out in the wild as anything except specials. I'd imagine buying 11mm 8.8 bolts is both harder and more expensive than using S grade 7/16" UNF, especially as I got mine for free with my harnesses.