How do you peen the end of a stainless steel bolt ?

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

During my apprenticeship we used a 3/4 pounder but then that was precision engineering.I would suggest the original poster uses that unless he wants to demolish his boat

Absolutely! The bolts holding down a stanchion base are unlikely to be more than M8. A light hammer - what we used to call "a toffee hammer" - would be the right tool to use.

 

[KristiferColumbus]

which is a variant spelling of peen
meaning the opposite end of a hammer head to the face (noun); or to strike with a peen (verb)

I'd have spelt it pein though!

Lets hope the bloke has'nt got a claw hammer

 

[stuhaynes]

I need to replace the stud welded bolt on a stanchion base. The original retaining nut at the distal end of the stud bolt was retained by peening the bolt - for a more compact assembly, I guess.
Never having peened stainless steel before, I wonder whether anyone here can describe the tools and technique required.

Stainless steel is harder than mild steel. Much easier to use nylocs, or for belt and braces, nyloc and threadlock together

 

[KristiferColumbus]

Absolutely! The bolts holding down a stanchion base are unlikely to be more than M8. A light hammer - what we used to call "a toffee hammer" - would be the right tool to use.

I'd just bung a decent stainless steel bolt with a nylock type nut on it through the base & not risk any force on it at all if I were him.Why take risks when you don't need to?

 

[guernseyman]

Thanks for all your thoughts. I will probably try a Nylock nut. The original was glassed over, but a temporary cover for a season or two will allow inspection and tightening if necessary.

I wonder if the original peening was done with a heavy weight on top of the stanchion base to minimise stress on the side deck?

 

[guernseyman]

P.S. I know there are alternative spellings of peen, at least another four options, but no one knows exactly how the word came into the English language, and similar words in other European languages have a variety of vowels, so the spelling is a bit optional.

 

[Heckler]

During my apprenticeship we used a 3/4 pounder but then that was precision engineering.I would suggest the original poster uses that unless he wants to demolish his boat

I was an apprentice in a coal mine! The principle is the same.
Stu