Finding hardware made of appropriate metals

[tmoandj]

This might be a dumb question but it won't be my first nor last...
How/ where does one find hardware (nuts& bolts etc) that are made of ocean-proof metal? I assume that I'm looking for aluminum (where strength isn't the primary issue) and marine-grade stainless? I'll bet I could find them in the chandlery but A) I don't want to pay the "boat-buck" premium and B) in the off-season I'm nowhere near a chandlery! Besides, shouldn't I be able to find this sort of stuff locally? Surely trucks running on the salty roads in winter have similar requirements to sea-going craft in terms of corrosion...
Thanks all

[Reefmagnet]

There are stores that sell basically just sell fasteners of all types. Look for industrial fastener supplies in your local area.

p.s. don't use aluminium bolts/screws. They're for highly specialised applications! 304 or 316 stainless and perhaps bronze is what you need.

[roverhi]

Lowes and Home Depot have a decent supply of SS fasteners that are suitable for marine use. Most every hardware store worth it's salt also has a range of SS fasteners.

Aluminum fasteners are limited strength, would avoid them.

[Stumble]

Lowes and HD cant tell you what grade the stainless they carry is. It will likely work, but I wouldn't trust it.

[Lepke]

The home store stainless is 304. Screws and hardware not exposed to salt water hold up fine. Exposed to salt 304 corrodes. Underwater even 316 corrodes, but slowly. Bronze is better.
If you're doing a big project and buying fasteners in bulk, internet and larger local suppliers will often have a better price than the home stores. Don't be afraid to ask about discounts. Major marine stores will also give discounts for larger volume buyers. Marine contractors get 30% or more.

[robwilk37]

mcmaster-carr has a fine selection of 316L and excellent CS. box stores near me only stock 18-8

[Siberianhusky]

Stainless hardware from a big box store is about the lowest grade of imported junk you can buy.
Industrial fastener supply place where you actually know what you are buying is my first choice, chandelry second choice (over priced), Homedepot - hope it holds together long enough to get me home in an emergency.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Siberianhusky

Stainless hardware from a big box store is about the lowest grade of imported junk you can buy.
Industrial fastener supply place where you actually know what you are buying is my first choice, chandelry second choice (over priced), Homedepot - hope it holds together long enough to get me home in an emergency.

I believe you have that right. An industrial supplier if they will sell retail? I doubt they will for three screws. In the US a tax no. for a business helps.

[FSMike]

Originally Posted by tmoandj

-----Besides, shouldn't I be able to find this sort of stuff locally? -----

Where is locally? It helps to put your locale under your avatar (and your type of boat).

[Cheechako]

Industrial fastener stores are a good bet. But be sure to ask wwhere particular item was made.

[Offshore1960]

Jamestown Distributor's has an excellent selection of marine grade fasteners hardware and boatbuilding supplies. Excellent quality, prices, customer support and fast UPS shipping.
www.jamestowndistributors.com

[rosatte]

Stores in ontario can. Called fastenal sell all grades of steel acceptable for marine use..825ss is best used

[deblen]

https://www.boltdepot.com/Default.aspx

http://www.metricscrew-toolco.com/

http://www.ccfasteners.com/index.html

http://www.nutsandbolts.com/


As well as Jamestown,McMaster-Carr,Fastenal,etc.

Canada http://stright-mackay.com/

Google " SS fasteners"

[TheThunderbird]

Any Town of 30,000+ pop has an industrial zone

[Siberianhusky]

In Canada? I buy from Brafasco a lot.
Key is they won't help you!
Know the diameter, thread, length and material you want and they will get what you asked for.
Show up with a bolt in hand and say I want 5 of these and they may tell you to beat it.
I've bought as small a number as 2 bolts before when working on heavey equipment. You got me thinking about my spring purchases now, new pins in my turnbuckles and some setscrews for my stanchions.