Rusting Screws

[KC2LST]

Phil, a big thanks to you for this information!

I do have stainless screws in my K3, but the black coating on several of them wasn't good from the beginning, and now 18 months later they have a pure-stainless appearance, though the rig has never left my NJ QTH. It was mildly bothersome as a purely cosmetic issue, but not worth pestering Elecraft about, given their incomparable service to me on other items.

So I can now get 100 at a reasonable cost and replace those few and also stainless-ize my P3.

I also discovered a number of other hard-to-find items at McMaster-Carr, too. My 1965-vintage home has some zinc/steel bridle rings on the siding that now route CATV coax, and I looked everywhere for these as I wanted more of them. These have a wood-screw end and a split ring that makes it easy to put coax into and take the coax out of them.

Lo and behold, 1-inch bridle rings at McMaster-Carr, 3/16" X 1" Length Wood Screw Thread, 1" Ring ID, packs of 10, $4.68/pack, part number 1706T31. They have larger sizes too and are available with or without plastic inserts.

I also found a constant-tension t-bolt hose clamp for my weedeater there, but that's another story.

Add me to the list of those who agree that stainless hardware should become standard issue as is befitting of all of the fine Elecraft gear.

73 de Tyler, KC2LST


-------------------------------------
FWIW - I bought #4x1/4" SS black-oxide covered screws from McMaster Carr.
Price is $3.91/100.  Part number 96640A054.  I use them on my K3 and KPA500.

Phil - AD5X
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[Don Wilhelm-4]

I have dealt with McMaster Carr for many years, and I regard them as my
premier hardware supplier.  If I want only one, I will try to see if the
local Ace Hardware has it, but if I want more than 1 or two, McMaster
Carr is the "go to" place - certainly I may have to buy in quantities of
10 or 100, but the price is right and the service in my location is
"next day" for UPS ground shipping.   If it is screws, thimbles, brass
rods, copper sheet, or most any other kind of hardware, that is the
place to go IMHO.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/9/2011 12:41 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
> Phil, a big thanks to you for this information!
>
> I do have stainless screws in my K3, but the black coating on several of them wasn't good from the beginning, and now 18 months later they have a pure-stainless appearance, though the rig has never left my NJ QTH. It was mildly bothersome as a purely cosmetic issue, but not worth pestering Elecraft about, given their incomparable service to me on other items.
>
> So I can now get 100 at a reasonable cost and replace those few and also stainless-ize my P3.
>
> I also discovered a number of other hard-to-find items at McMaster-Carr, too.
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[KD7PY]

If I had a problem with the screws rusting, I would be replacing mine with this.....

http://www.fastener-express.com/button-socket-screws-black-anodized-aluminum.aspx

Ed  K7WIA

[KD7PY]

They also have them in flat head........

http://www.fastener-express.com/flat-screws-black-anodized-aluminum.aspx

Ed K7WIA

[Tony Estep]

On Fri, Dec 9, 2011 at 12:35 PM, K7WIA <[hidden email]> wrote:
> If I had a problem with the screws rusting, I would be replacing mine with
> this.....
>
> http://www.fastener-express.com/button-socket-screws-black-anodized-aluminum.aspx
>
----
They are neat-looking, but don't tighten 'em too much. It's oh-so-easy
to strip out that little hex recess, as I have found to my sorrow.

Tony KT0NY


--
http://www.isb.edu/faculty/facultydir.aspx?ddlFaculty=352
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[Bill K9YEQ]

Tony,

Great point...  Stainless vs. aluminum?   Unless you have a need based on
use... I would stick with the supplied "softer" screws to avoid unnecessary
wear when removing and re-installing.  My standard screws on K2, KX1 and K3
are doing just super, no rust. I did FT on both the K2 and KX1 and I cannot
tell you how many times I removed the case. Stainless is not very forgiving
with other materials.  The D connectors Elecraft uses are aluminum... easily
replaced.  But if you stay with the provided screws there should be little
issue.  I have no need for stainless at this point, but would consider a set
with the KX3 if I use in the car... we do have plenty of salt in the
atmosphere during the winter.  Just look at the rust damage to exposed soft
metal.

 I don't have salt in my atmosphere in the shack, but I do have some heavy
humidity during the summer.  I live just West of Lake Michigan and just east
of Green Bay.  Normal humidity is 40-60%.  

73,
Bill
K9YEQ


-----Original Message-----


On Fri, Dec 9, 2011 at 12:35 PM, K7WIA <[hidden email]> wrote:
> If I had a problem with the screws rusting, I would be replacing mine
> with this.....
>
> http://www.fastener-express.com/button-socket-screws-black-anodized-al
> uminum.aspx
>
----
They are neat-looking, but don't tighten 'em too much. It's oh-so-easy to
strip out that little hex recess, as I have found to my sorrow.

Tony KT0NY


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