Stainless steel tools

[jonnythan]

Whoops. I can't read.

 

[jonnythan]

http://www.steritool.com/tools/ball_hex.htm

http://www.steritool.com/tools/hex_keys.htm

Pretty pricey..

 

[Snowbear]

They didn't?

The local store didn't, the guy working there even helped me look

If they are in the .com store, I didn't find 'em.....

 

[cool_hardware52]

Not everything.....
I went to my local WM to buy stainless tools to carry in my boat. They didn't have non-corroding allen wrenches.
I just checked the .com store.
They don't have 'em there either.

Allen wrenches are very highly stressed. Wrenches used on fasteners with hex heads, like an open end or box wrench or socket are applied to a head that is larger than the thread diameter, example a 3/8" bolt has a 9/16" head. A 3/8 allen head cap screw on the other hand uses a 5/16 allen wrench and a 3/8 set screw uses a 3/16 allen.

If you need to torque a 3/8 allen head cap screw to the same value as a 3/8 hex head bolt, it's easy to see the loads on the much smaller allen wrench will be much greater.

If allen wrenches were not hardened steel, they would round off immediately, even with hardened steel I rountinely wear out allen wrenches and have to grind off a little to restore their function.

If all you work on is brass plugs in a reg, a SS allen wrench would probably work fine, but most tool manufacturers would shy away from SS allen wrenches as they will surely fail if used on a nice frozen bolt.

It is possible to buy zinc or Cadnium Plated allen wrenches, but the regular plain steel ones are cheap enough I'd just replace em when they get brown & fuzzy.


Regards,


Tobin

 

[trob09]

http://www.bosunsupplies.com/ProductTools.cfm

 

[UWSojourner]

Thanks everyone. Looks like there's not a no-brainer solution to the problem. Just felt a little dumb after looking into the tool box and seeing the rust. "Oh yeah, saltwater is corrosive. :embarass: "

 

[BigJetDriver]

Folks,

Thanks for the good web-site listings. I was just cussing the lack of SS tools for divers on the week-end. I quote: "Why in Hell doesn't anyone make some good SS tools for this job?" This while changing hoses on three sets of regs with a set of borrowed tools that looked like brown Chia Pets! :11: (Carl, if you are reading this, I still appreciated the loan!)

Cheers!

P.S.---Why I was without my toolbox, and was diving (Heaven help me!) OC as well is another story!

 

[Uncle Pug]

Snowbear is right... my Westmarine store doesn't carry the SS allen wrenches either.

 

[BigJetDriver]

Snowbear is right... my Westmarine store doesn't carry the SS allen wrenches either.

Puggus Maximus,

Did you take a look at these, oh Ancient and Honourable One? They look pretty sharp!

Try: http://www.steritool.com/tools/hex_keys.htm

Cheers!

 

[Uncle Pug]

I $$$$$aw those on a Google $$$$$earch but thought I'd just $$$$$pray everything with Boe$hield instead.