brass screws for handrails

[Andy Toomey]

I forgot to mention:
It seems some intrepid dolt removed the hand rails for refinishing.
He did a fine job on the varnish but apparently lost all but one of
the screws. I haven't found them yet at any rate. The Lowes hardware
guy said they were a specialty item. Apparently 4.5 inch (8
centimeters or so?)brass screws of that type aren't normally made.
Any ideas where to find such things?
Thanks,
Andy

 

[alan_critchlow]

Hello Andy, Good luck on finding bronze screws. The previous owner
probably broke them. I know I broke some taking them out. I replaced
them with stainless steel ones. Never as good as bronze but at least
they are a matched set. I gave the balance of the bronze screws to
another Vega owner. Check out suppliers in Wooden Boat magazine. Use
Robertson head. They are much better.
Alan

 

[fotofundi]

Hi Andy

Try www.sea-screw.com or www.gtc-direct.com for screws of all sizes
and materials - the latter list #12 or 14 x 4" in silicon bronze

8cms is only 3.15" not 4.5" - I used 4" screws and they work fine but
my cabin handrails have deeply recessed holes.

David

-- In AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com, "alan_critchlow"
alan.critchlow@s... wrote:

 

[dobermanct_dave]

I can think of a couple of places that might have them.

Jamestown distributors have a really good selection of bronze fasteners.

Jamestown Distributors

www.jamestowndistributors.com

Also Hamilton Marine is pretty good in my experience. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dave Bachand
Data Network Manager
Information Technology Services
Eastern Connecticut State University
83 Windham Street
Willimantic, CT
Tel. (860)465-5376
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

[rolyatad]

In this situation I drilled, counterbored, and through-bolted the inner
and outer handrails together, at the same points where the long wood
screws were. I plugged the counterbores with teak plugs, and sanded
them flush.

The inner rails were more substantial than the inners on my boat, so I
swapped their relative positions, too.

Good Luck, Doug
-

 

[jgbrisson2000]

Andy:

If you are sailing in salt water, I would suggest that you think
about Silicon-bronze screws. Brass tends to corrode into a
weak-sponge like material when subjected to salt water for extended
time. Si-Bronze screws are expensive though.

Try a marine supply outfit like Hamilton Marine
http://www.hamiltonmarine.com/0303.htm.

JGB

 

[svtradition]

Andy,

For what it's worth, I replaced mine with SS decking screws available
anywhere in the states. I had to get longer than needed and cut them.
I've had no problems with leaks or corrosion.

Chris
V1066
tradition

 

[xxxblister]

Hey Chris.
Thanks for your mail. I found 4 inch brass ones from home depot that
did the job. Not an exact replacement but they worked and they looked
good. I've been sailing her quite a bit since I put her in the water
at the beginning of the month. She handles just lovely.
Best,
Andy T
s/v Gala V3175
www.andyt13.com/gala.htm - pix!

 

[stevebirch2002]

Hi Andy

Careful using brass screws for the handrails. They can take a lot of weight
and brass is very soft. Use Bronze or Stainless Steel. The grabrails are the
first thing anyone clings to.....

Cheers

Steve B

 

[xxxblister]

Hunh. I could swear the originals were brass. Are they actually
bronze? Oh dear. Well the port rail has one of the originals and the
three replacements. Everything seems pretty solid but perhaps I'll
move to steel. Crap. Everything was nicely waterproofed too...
Thanks,
A