Stainless Hardware for Restorations.

[DBlackston 298]

I am restoring a 704 and a 653. I have it completely disassembled prepared for blasting and was looking at all of the hardware this weekend.

 

There are several factors that are driving me towards new hardware.

 

- Time required to blast or wire wheel all the hardware and paint it.

 

- Chance of damaging the painted finish during install. 

 

- Removal of anti corrosive coatings either through time  (most of the hardware is corroded) and whatever is left will surely be removed during cleanup for paint. 

 

- Being 56 years old there are alot of non original or mismatched hardware and damaged bolts.

 

Those of you that do use stainless hardware I have a few questions:

 

- Do you use 316 or 18-8 (304) grade. The 18-8 (304) is weaker and more prone to corrosion than the 316. With that said it is also about 25% cheaper. 

 

- What is your preferred anti-seize compound?

 

- Are there any bolts you commonly loctite even if they are stainless?

 

-Are there any pieces of hardware you do not replace with stainless? I plan on using stainless everywhere except the motor bolts, transmission case bolts, and the wheel bolts/studs. In these areas I will use zinc coated grade 8 bolts. 

 

- Where do you purchase your stainless hardware? Since I eventually have 3 tractors and numerous pieces of equipment to restore I intend to buy in bulk from McMaster-Carr unless someone has a better source.

 

Edited August 5, 2020 by DBlackston

[Tractorhead 9,065]

Never mix stainless and normal steel hardware in a machine, you like to use summer and Winter.

If you thinkering on a build for eternity i would thin the Metal, use Screws they be galvanized and you are good for years.

Work with it but take a bit care on it do a regular Service and it lasts longer as your own life.

 

 

[SylvanLakeWH 26,155]

May want to check this thread out. It was a recent discussion with some great input on the subject.

 

I have used stainless on my push blade wear bar. Working great.

[DBlackston 298]

4 hours ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

May want to check this thread out. It was a recent discussion with some great input on the subject.

 

I have used stainless on my push blade wear bar. Working great.

 

Thanks for the link. Lots of good info. 

 

I will proceed with my stainless order!

[Tractorhead 9,065]

I know there are different Sorts of Stainless quality, learned that when i rework my Morini 30 years Ago.

Had a lot of troubles in the Past when mixing A4 Stainless and normal Steel.

Did this on my Moto Morini Motocycle, what shakes very hard.

Lots of screws breaks before they had any chance to get loosening

or the welded steel nuts threads in the Frame rotten faster out than they do with Galvanized steel screws.

 

That was my experience after few years summer and Winter Riding with mixed Steel