Im going to be putting a bunch of small bolts/screws into the bottom of a semi trailer. They will be exposed to all kinds of weather and road spray. Once in, most will stay there but the ones along the outside rail may need to be removed for occasional maintenance. What can I screw into steel and still be able to remove a year or so later? Stainless, brass, something not yet invented?
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Thread: What kind of bolt?
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02-24-2009, 11:53 AM #1
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What kind of bolt?
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02-24-2009, 12:42 PM #2
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More info, are we going into a blind hole? Self-tapping bolts? Are you going to have access to the other side, maybe use nuts???
Generally, I try to stay away from SS, they tend to gall, and when you try to force them out, they break. More of a PITA to deal with afterwards. They won't cut with a torch, hard to drill, and if they're galled, not backing out no matter what you do.
If only a year between in and out, just stick with regular carbon steel bolts, use never-seize,,,, even if they break off, drill, heat, extract ,,,, worse comes to worse, you can just torch them off, drill new holes, tap and install new bolts an inch over from the old ones. Can't do that with stainless. Plus the cost .....
Of course if you can get to the other side, and use nuts, don't really matter either way .....
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02-24-2009, 01:22 PM #3
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Screw or pop rivets. A grinder and a pin punch and they're out. Still depends on the backing headroom.
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02-24-2009, 01:51 PM #4
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No access to the back side. Ill be drilling and tapping the I beam crossmembers that support the wood floor above.(Imagine a 2X4 stud wall that is open on one side now but will be sheet rocked.) I wont be using a torch on anything because Im attaching light weight plastic sheets. I think pop rivets would crush the plastic material. Does anyone make a plastic bolt?
Who do you call when the lawmakers ignore the law?
Miller AC/DC Thunderbolt 225
Miller 180 w/Autoset
Old cutting torch on LPG
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02-24-2009, 02:25 PM #5
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http://www.plasticnutsandbolts.com/
Originally Posted by Flyingpig
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02-24-2009, 03:05 PM #6
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Thats a great place to start looking. Thanks!
Who do you call when the lawmakers ignore the law?
Miller AC/DC Thunderbolt 225
Miller 180 w/Autoset
Old cutting torch on LPG
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02-28-2009, 07:04 PM #7
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i would go with galv.
****, any problems just buy a scarfing tip.
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