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[bee.sting]

Having deliberately bought a first boat which is in need of some work, I have a beginner question for you:


The fixings (nuts and bolts, etc) currently in use in the boat are almost exclusively brass. As I come to replace some of them and install new things, I can use either brass or stainless steel. What are the pros and cons of each of these? (My boat will frequently be run in salt water.)


Thanks in anticipation.

[derekwarner]

Well Mr bee......it really depends on what you are aiming for 

If for scale appearance, Knupffer in Germany produce Model Sized bolts & nuts with smaller size hex
Standard M3 bolt & nut are manufactured from 5.37mm AF material
Model size M3 bolt & nut are manufactured from 3.95mm AF
Knupffer produce these model size in carbon steel, stainless & brass


Naturally your brass & stainless are both considered non corrosive

If you are heavy-handed    the steel/stainless steel have approximately twice the yield strength over brass

The typical electronics Stores sell the standard size [large hex] small bolts & nuts , I am sure there is a UK supplier for model sized materials, Knuppfer also sell direct to World wide ...[even OZ]

These are both M3 [standard size] hex head stainless to the left, them M3 [Model size] brass on the right


Derek

[nemesis]

if you run in salt water then stainless steel is the way to go, brass exudes a horrible green gunge is you have not got rid of every trace of salt water, been there, nemesis

[Colin Bishop]

Agree with Nemesis, brass really does not like salt water. Go stainless.

Colin

[bee.sting]

Thanks, folks, Stainless Steel it is then!

[Circlip]

The green gunge (Copper Sulphate) was a highly prized 'must have finish' for some interior "Designers"


  Regards  Ian.