Tiny Bubbles
Contributor
ABQdiver:
Take them over to where they sell the magnets before you check out. The plated hardware will stick to a magnet like glue. Stainless is only very slightly attracted to a magnet.
Stainless Hardware Question
- Thread starter GoBlue!
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Take them over to where they sell the magnets before you check out. The plated hardware will stick to a magnet like glue. Stainless is only very slightly attracted to a magnet.
I found that the word "stainless" rather than "plated" or other terms often gave it away as to the quality and material. I believe Lowes and Home Depot use a colour coding system on the packets, blue? at HD and pink? at L i think, its fairly obvious if you look at the packet. In a rush for other items before i have been caught by the bonehead shopper syndrome and found i didnt have what i thought i picked up, but usually i have returned those items unopened on checking the name/description.
Not so with the clips and so forth, but with the bolts.. the SS hardware comes pre-packaged whereas the plated do not.
Bolts, clips and snaps are all in packets at my Home Depot and Lowes, Jonnythan, you really need to move to an area with a better selection of hardware stores!! 
simbrooks:Bolts, clips and snaps are all in packets at my Home Depot and Lowes, Jonnythan, you really need to move to an area with a better selection of hardware stores!!
Geez. At my local Home Depot, all of the bolts and nuts 1/4" and larger are just in bins. At the Lowe's, it's the same thing, but all the SS is packaged.
I need to move to an area with better everything.
Go Blue,
I think the summary of all of this is that it does sound like you have to go into your various hardware (have checked out my locals) or marine (and i'm going to pop in there soon too) stores, look at what is on hooks, in bins or little pull out drawers. Pay particular attention to the words stainless steel on the signs, packaging etc. If in doubt between two items, check for price, more expensive probably is stainless, less is plated, do the magnet test maybe if you can tell the difference in attraction and if all else fails, put it in salt water and see what happens!!
I think the summary of all of this is that it does sound like you have to go into your various hardware (have checked out my locals) or marine (and i'm going to pop in there soon too) stores, look at what is on hooks, in bins or little pull out drawers. Pay particular attention to the words stainless steel on the signs, packaging etc. If in doubt between two items, check for price, more expensive probably is stainless, less is plated, do the magnet test maybe if you can tell the difference in attraction and if all else fails, put it in salt water and see what happens!!
SeaJay
Contributor
Lowes does great for me here... And my local store has stainless in both prepackaged and "loose bins."
...In fact, they even have a "marine" section dedicated mostly to boat stuff. You can find pretty much any clip, ring, or fastener you need in the sailboat section. Everything there is polished marine-grade stainless.
...Of course, I live on the coast, though, and my Lowes may be catering to the local populous a bit.
...I can tell you that EE in High Springs carries all stainless stuff, too... Sure, it's more expensive, but it's only what... An extra dollar or two? They're at http://www.Extreme-Exposure.com
For the record, I have seen no difference between the stuff I'm buying at Lowes and the stuff I've purchased from EE.
...In fact, they even have a "marine" section dedicated mostly to boat stuff. You can find pretty much any clip, ring, or fastener you need in the sailboat section. Everything there is polished marine-grade stainless.
...Of course, I live on the coast, though, and my Lowes may be catering to the local populous a bit.
...I can tell you that EE in High Springs carries all stainless stuff, too... Sure, it's more expensive, but it's only what... An extra dollar or two? They're at http://www.Extreme-Exposure.com
For the record, I have seen no difference between the stuff I'm buying at Lowes and the stuff I've purchased from EE.
quonniediver
Registered
All stainless steels aren't created equal. Some places offer 18-8 stainless steel which is fine for run of the mill applications or quick fix marine applications but it is no good for longer term marine uses. It will rust. It will be slightly magnetic. Type 304 stainless is better but may rust a small amount. You can passivate it with acid to take out the surface impurities that rust but that is dangerous and a pain. Like Electric Zombie said Type 316 is what you want. It doesn't rust. It costs a lot more but it is worth it. It isn't magnetic at all. As also was stated before Mcmaster Carr is a great source because they usually have very many different styles and choices.
ClassAction
Guest
Maybe this is another dumb question (I know nothing about hardware) -- what size carriage bolt do I need for a backplace/wing? I'd like to order them from the internet and avoid the trip to Home Depot... Thanks!
