Stainless steel screws are in....

[SundaySailor]

Folks,

Just checked TM tractor supply's web site, and they have the stainless steel screws needed to replace the old ones for the gas tank, instrument cluster, and dog-legs alias the RH and LH radiator covers. I know some people have good hardware stores near them that carry the hardware, but in my area they are hard to find. Just wanted to pass this on.

Here's one: http://www.tm-tractor.com/sp/025.htm
Here's the other: http://www.tm-tractor.com/sp/1420_001.htm

Rick

[Matt Kirsch]

That answers a question I've had, but haven't taken the time to ask.

Stainless hardware is a better choice, eh?

[SundaySailor]

Matt,

In my past experience with sailboats, yes SS is much better. You may still get some rusting from the other parts, but stainless steel is stronger and lasts much longer. Plus, there really isn't that much difference price wise between stainless steel and the other stuff. If you're going to have to take it out anyway, why not spend a few quarters more and do yourself a great big favor? You can still mess up the heads on SS screws, but it is a bit harder than the other metal screws. Plus, they shine so much better and the shine lasts longer.

Rick

[John Niekamp]

SS,

Luckily my workplace carries a hugh assortment of St. St. screws, bolts and fastners and since I can buy them at shop cost I used them everywhere I could, like the fenders and dash and on the hood and doglegs. I even put them on the radiator bottom bolt holes to the bolster. The St. St. we stock is a grade 4, so it is plenty strong for everything I used it on, I'm thinking the originals were around a grade 5, just a tad bit stronger tencil strenght than the St. St, but the not having them rusting and getting frozen in the blind holes a real plus, especailly in the bolster to radiator mounting area. Plus I also used aintsize on the threads.

I left mine unpainted, (my own preference) I liked the contrast. With everything else being red, I thought this would look nice. the only thing we did not have was the NF acorn nut that holds on the steering wheel, we only had the NC acorn nuts, for this I will have to make me one from St. St. hex and polish it up.

John

[Rudi]

Guys:

That is one of the reasons I just love Canada.

We have something called a Robertson screw -- they come in all flavours from low root for decking, dry-wall, particle board right on up to machine screws and stainless steel screws for ALL applications.

YOU CANNOT MESS UP A ROBERTSON! At least not without trying real hard.

In the states they are called Square Drive..... why I don't know, maybe has something to do with being different - God only knows....

And they look real sharp! No rough edges, no scratches from screwdrivers that slip from the slotted head all over a real nice NEW paint job

I think McMaster-Carr would carry them. If not, then my buddy Dana at Maritime Fasteners does and would be more than happy to ship em south of the border

I will be using the SS Robertson machine screws for all exposed screws on Ellie - maybe even for the ones you cannot see. I too like the unpainted shiny SS look.

[Buzzard Wing]

When I started taking the cub apart I bought SS for everything (sheet metal first, of course) But I am not positive I will replace everything with stainless.... It is about 3 times the price, but I have a great hardware/lumber yard that has a good selection of SS hardware.
Recon most of it goes on boats, very few tractors in my neighborhood!

[Mike Schmudlach]

The best place for screws bolts etc.... is Fastenal. You can buy a box of 100 for the same price as a few at the hardware store.
I like original so I stay away from square drives etc.. but that is me.
I park my tractors inside so I don't worry about them rusting.
Mike