marine stainless steel

[Sam_Steele]

I want to get some stainless steel bolts and wing nuts - about 8cm long. It is for use on a boat interior, what grade do I need, I have seen reference to A2 and A4.

Also anyone know of a good and cheap source. i have tried felix fastners that were advertised in the lastest PBO - but they have just closed up.

Thanks
Sam

 

[Graham_Wright]

Try A2A4 via Google. You want A4

 

[Tekkie]

Try Here http://www.sea-screw.com/

Brian

 

[charles_reed]

A2 is usually 304, sometimes 303 - not for use below waterline or where it might get a lot of salt water and can weep and discolour,

A4 is 316.

Personally I'm appalled that it appears to be only in the UK that this confusion is fostered - in Europe you'll find all A4 fixings for sale.

 

[LeonF]

Try Anglia Stainless near Norwich..They're excellent and very competitive. The also supply silicon bronze fastenings. Tel 01359 251414 and 251417. they are at Shepherds Grove Industrial estate, Stanton , Norfolk Sufolk IP31 2AR

 

[sequena1]

Good old Screwfix does a reasonable range of A2 and a smaller range of A4 fastenings. Worth a look at their catalogue

 

[AndrewB]

Either A2 or A4 stainless should be fine for interior use. A2 is cheaper (though the difference is less than formerly), easier to obtain, stronger and more wear-resistant. A4 is more corrosion resistant to sea-water and industrial solvents, less liable to tarnish. For this reason A4 is preferred in places that are regularly in contact with sea-water. Unless you are bolting in the bilge, I would tend to prefer A2 for your application. Incidentally, both types of steel rely on oxygen for their resistance, neither should be 'buried' in damp, airless places where they cannot be inspected from time to time.

Like Brian_C, I've bought stainless wing nuts direct from SeaScrew, but many chandlers do carry them.