Stainless Steel Fasteners

[gokartjon]

How many people here prefer stainless steel fasteners?
What are the pros and cons of using them?

[B-MOW71]

I do! I use Team KNK stainless steel hardware on all of my rigs. I don't like rusty screws. The rusty screws will turn the plastic around them a rust color.

The only reason I would use the black oxide screws is when/if I want to do a weathered look on a build.

[Thorsteenster]

I don't use them exclusively but when I buy hardware I buy SS. Been years since I have, but Micro Fasteners and McMaster are excellent sources. Can even get hex head. Although the head size isn't quite scale, in some places they look better than Philips or button head/cap screws.

I've seen rig specific kits you can buy that replace all the hardware but not something I'd do unless it's a fresh build or rebuild.

[casco_bay_rc]

Originally Posted by gokartjon

How many people here prefer stainless steel fasteners?
What are the pros and cons of using them?

If I know the build will spend a lot of time in the mud or damp environment, I use SS. Otherwise, I like black oxide fasteners for their stealthiness.

I second the mention of McMaster. I buy nearly everything fastener or raw material related from them.

[Druxus]

I use steel screws, grade 10.9 if I remember correctly. I don't notice that they rust like others have said, I'm in Michigan and run in the snow as well so they see dampness. Every time I use stainless hardware it seems to strip the hex way more often.

[HumboldtEF]

SS is corrosion resistant but its also not as strong as black oxide. That said you will find some SS that is high quality and will do just fine and some that is cheap and tends to strip or snap heads off.

Where I live rust isn't really a concern so I use black oxide on almost everything unless it happened to come with SS.

[Thorsteenster]

Just to add a plug for McMaster, I placed an order Friday morning and got it today. I don't know if they have multiple warehouses across the country, but I'm in VA and they shipped from NJ.

[Zukiiholic]

I'm Team KNK but I've only bought from them once.

[indybama]

I use team knk, great hardware. Ive bought many of their monster bag of hardware

[Lashlee]

Another vote for KNK. Each size is individually bagged and if buying for a particular kit they typically include one extra screw for each size so you end up with a good stash at the end. I've bought nearly a dozen different kits over the years, including a couple of the monster bags so I've got a nice accumulation of extra hardware.

[Jbrick]

In western Colorado the air is dry and i stay clear of mud so the black works well here with no rust. Plus I like the looks of black hardware on black parts better.

[dusty husky]

I've got boxes of exell ss hardware from amazon. Not as strong as steel but usually in shear, so strength isn't a issue.

[BP6666VR]

I changed 99% of my 1 and only RC from the stock black bolts to Stainless steel, we have bolt & nut stores here on our island that sells almost every size bolt in existence

Pro's: looks good / no rust / keeps you busy

Cons: yet again it will cost you humongous amount of time and effort, and a bit of money



Sent from my CPH1937 using Tapatalk

[casco_bay_rc]

Originally Posted by Thorsteenster

Just to add a plug for McMaster, I placed an order Friday morning and got it today. I don't know if they have multiple warehouses across the country, but I'm in VA and they shipped from NJ.

Spooky isn't it? I can order today, and have it tomorrow up here in Maine.

[Inspector86]

The only problem I've run into with SS hardware is that after a few insert and remove cycles I have experienced the hex head rounding out even when using my MIP hex drivers. I just toss any screw that starts showing a loose hex. BTW, Team KNK and McMaster are my go to sources.

[HDMM]

I use both SS and Black Oxide, just depends on what I'm building. As mentioned the only real disadvantage to stainless is that it is a little softer, so need to be mindful of having good driver tools and not over torque stuff. And yes...another Team KnK user here as well.