On Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:53:24 -0700, "Calif Bill"
wrote:


"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
.. .
On Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:21:04 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:

On Apr 20, 10:17 pm, wrote:
On Apr 20, 11:12 pm, "David E. Powell"
wrote:





On Apr 20, 9:49 pm, wrote:

Went to buy some stainless 1/4-20 wingnuts from Home Depot for my
boat (Tolman Skiff). All thjey had were some really crappy looking
ones. Sure enough, made in China. I threw them back on the shelf
figuring they were probably pot metal. Cannot trust Chinese made
stuff. Went to Ace and bought some US made ones. They cost a lot
more but I know they are real SS.
Th cheapo Chinese stuff really costs a LOT more than the US made
stuff
if you figure you will likely need to replace the Chinese stuff.
Besides, when I am offshore, I want to be sure my boat will stay
together. My life is worth paying a little more.

Chinese tool quality has come up quite a bit in the past 10-15 years
but I haven't dealt with their fasteners yet, all of the nails and
screws I use are Made in USA. I agree with your point about
replacement being an issue and with a boat, going with the best you
can find is very important. Has anyone else here used Chinese boat
stuff?

The Chinese ones were $1.20 for a dozen while the USA made ones at Ace
were $1.10 EACH. Yeah, I got ripped off but I needed them NOW and
will not put chinese crap on my boat.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

$1.10? i think that's plenty, but when you think about it, it really
isn't that high for quality stainless. At least you know they arn't
going to have their plating turn to corrosion, then powder, then rust
the first month left out in the humidity.

Well, I've gotten some of these "higher" quality SS fasteners and they
are magnetic - which means they will rust.

Not necessarily. Lots of stainless is magnetic. Austenite is the only one
not magnetic and it can become magnetic when cold worked. Also even 310
will rust if heated red hot and then cooled. Lets the carbides precipitate
out. I have a very nice stainless gazing ball stand I made for SWMBO.
Where I had to heat it to get some tight bends, it does show some rust.

Didn't know that, but these screws were never cold worked that I know
of - supposedly not anyway.

The odd thing is that the original screws/bolts/etc are not magnetic -
the rusted ones are.