Turnbuckles

[mick]

I have new standing rigging which came with Sta-lok turnbuckles. I wanted bronze, but these turnbuckles are stainless with threaded bronze inserts. I am aware that the bronze inserts will prevent galling, i.e. seizing of the threads, but I want to know if this type is as good as that made completely from bronze.

 

[FAITIRA]

Sta-lok is a good mark, I would personally be happy with anything they produce.

 

[jerryat]

Yep, I'll second that. A first class company with good products IMHO. I wouldn't be worried in the slightest.

 

[William_H]

I have seen many cases of stainless inserts in bronze body where after some years of neglect the turnbuckle can not be adjusted. Using force snaps off the stainless end.
I make a point of unscrewing my turnbuckles and greasing them every year just to avert this destruction of turn buckles. Other wise thye are fine. olewill

 

[jerryat]

That's the first time I've heard of that after mucking around with boats for 40 odd years, but there, you learn something new every day!!! Perhaps it depends on the degree of 'neglect'?

I use all bronze turnbuckles as it happens, but as I note above, Stalock are a very reputable company (I have used their products for many, many years) and I'd be really surprised if 'snapping off' was common occurrence.

No connection etc etc

 

[William_H]

The idea came from me inheriting many beautiful turnbuckles of various sizes all seized solidly and completely wasted. Only on a few cases were the turnbuckles salvaged. Usually the screws snapped off.
olewill

 

[Adamastor]

You could try hitting your screws with a fire-extinguisher- the S/S will contract more than the bronze and possibly free up, else you could use my late grandmother's ice-cream cooling mixture- meths and dry-ice slurry- to soak the turnbuckle in. I think heat might exacerbate the problem- the S/S screw would expand into the bronze and seize completely!
And I meant blasting with an extinguisher- not bludgeoning them. But maybe...