Where to Find Bronze Flat Bar for Chainplates ?

[seandepagnier]

I want to replace my chainplates with bronze, but I can only find stainless flat bar. I can find round silicon bronze though, would that work for a chainplate?

[delmarrey]

Where on "earth" are you located?

'Alaska Copper and Brass' here in Seattle.

[MarkJ]

Is bronze the right metal for chainplates?

*not that I know, of course!*

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Is bronze the right metal for chainplates?

*not that I know, of course!*

Whatca think? What's good for propellers should be good for chainplates.

Maganese - Nickel Aluminum Bronze (Aqualloy) vs. Stainless Steel in Marine Propellers

[wolfenzee]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

Where on "earth" are you located?

'Alaska Copper and Brass' here in Seattle.

My price inquiry to Alaska Copper and Brass came back: "...We only stock round rod in the Silicon Bronze material...." It was suggested I use Silicon Bronze by someone that actually knows what he is talking about"

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by wolfenzee

I use Silicon Bronze by someone that actually knows what he is talking about"

They only sell metal from behind a desk and the people are in their 30's & 40's, some being women.

I guess being a Machinist for 45 years, working in the boat, aerospace and valve industry means nothing.

Let me make a call...... Oops, on Monday

[vintageray]

I'm not familiar with aqualloy, but regular bronze is too soft and weak to use for chainplates. I think even thick aluminum or galvanized steel would be better if you're looking to save money. I'm biting the bullet and using stainless to replace mine. Chainplates are about the last thing I want failing on my boat.

[Patrick_DeepPlaya]

Online Metal Store | Small Quantity Metal Orders | Metal Cutting, Sales & Shipping | Buy Steel, Aluminum, Copper, Brass, Stainless | Metal Product Guides at OnlineMetals.com ship anywhere and can also pick up in Seattle.

[skipmac]

Second the recommendation for Onlinemetals.com. Just replaced my chainplates and ordered from them. Good service and shipping from WA to FL was not bad at all.

If you decide on bronze I did not see bar stock in their catalog. Guess you could get 1.5" rod and machine it down flat. I just used 316 stainless.

[GordMay]

"Aqualoy"* is a Stainless Alloy shafting material.
➥ http://www.gpcprop.com/catalog%20pdf...20Shafting.pdf

* "Aqualoy" is a registered trade name of Western Branch Metals, Inc.

See also ➥ Order Stainless Rectangle Alloys 303, 304, 316, 410, 420, 440C in Small Quantities at OnlineMetals.com

[DaveC]

I've ordered bar stock from McMaster-Carr online before. I ordered 316 stainless for my chainplates, but they have a large selection so they may have bronze. Shipping was fast, but they seemed a little pricey.

As far as bronze for chainplates, I don't know either way. But my turnbuckles are bronze so maybe it's good for chainplates.

[Efraim]

Don't use bronze! These chainplates are almost 60yrs old and will give way any second now.

[wolfenzee]

Originally Posted by Patrick_DeepPlaya

Online Metal Store | Small Quantity Metal Orders | Metal Cutting, Sales & Shipping | Buy Steel, Aluminum, Copper, Brass, Stainless | Metal Product Guides at OnlineMetals.com ship anywhere and can also pick up in Seattle.

The only have silicon bronze (the preferred bronze alloy for chain plates) in round rod, the only bar they have is aluminum bronze, the same alloy Port Townsend Foundry uses for making chain plates...but that doesn't sell me on it.

That said thier price for 1.5" wide x .375" thick x 26" is $42.99 and I need 6 that size.

[vintageray]

I stand corrected. There are bronze alloys which are very suitable for chainplates.

[mike d.]

That's all they had before stainless came on the scene other than iron, or galvi. steel
most wooden boats of yesterday had silicon bronze chain plates. we had hull # 1345 lightning built in 1945 all hardware was cast silicon/naval bronze and the chain plates were flat bar bronze!!!!!! i mean really if they make turn buckles out of the stuff would you think it would suffice for chain plates. it is actually better than stainless because with bronze bolts you don't get electrolysis only a green patina, that can discolor your hull. you can get it but it is a lot more expensive than s.s., that's why i opted for s.s. drilled, ,rounded tops, bent, and polished them my self at home. all my chain plates are 3/8" by 2" 304 s.s. 304 is easier to drill than 316 and is what was orig. equip on boat from factory. i went over size because we are heading off shore and wanted the extra security