Has anyone experienced problems with the Chinese zincs? This Spring, all of the outlets had only the zincs made in China. The true Canada Metals zincs are no where to be found. This last weekend I heard a loud knocking noise in the prop area. The local diver said that the zincs had loosened and moved forward. This is the first time I have ever heard this scenario. Anyway, the boat will be hauled shortly for a full inspection. My guess is that the zincs are inferior quality as I know that I secured them in the Spring the same way that I have replaced the zincs erey year for the past ten years. Comments or suggestions about these inferior zincs?
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there have been a lot of comments about the chinese zinks
from what i gather none have been good.
from what i gather none have been good.
anyone know what the difference is?
Although lots has been written, I have not yet seen any empirical data showing what the difference is between CM and Asian made zincs. Can't help wonder if it's perception that is the problem.
Although lots has been written, I have not yet seen any empirical data showing what the difference is between CM and Asian made zincs. Can't help wonder if it's perception that is the problem.
I have examined the shaft zincs that I use
and they always have a copper contact in each half and one socket head stainless steel cap screw with locktite on the threads and one nut in each half. Zinc is abundant and inexpensive so I can't imagine that someone would alloy it with something cheaper. If the new zinc anode is as I discribed and is the correct size, I use it.
and they always have a copper contact in each half and one socket head stainless steel cap screw with locktite on the threads and one nut in each half. Zinc is abundant and inexpensive so I can't imagine that someone would alloy it with something cheaper. If the new zinc anode is as I discribed and is the correct size, I use it.
You have pretty much
nailed the problem- Chinese- would you use Chinese stainless turnbuckles, or Chinese stainless wire rigging, or Chinese stainless stanchions, or...? With rare exceptions Chinese products are made to swindle the customer, period. Look at the buildings they put up for their own people, they fall like a house of cards.
nailed the problem- Chinese- would you use Chinese stainless turnbuckles, or Chinese stainless wire rigging, or Chinese stainless stanchions, or...? With rare exceptions Chinese products are made to swindle the customer, period. Look at the buildings they put up for their own people, they fall like a house of cards.
First hand experience
On my boat I have only about a 1/2" gap between the prop and the cutlass bearing. I have been buying 1" collar zincs for about the last 5 years. In order to make the zinc fit the limited gap I have to grind/cut and swear at the damn thing until the thickness comes down to about 1/2". The last collar zinc I got from WM which was Chinese made. During the swearing/cutting/grinding process I noticed small voids in the material. There were also some spots where there were small internal cracks in the material. I guess that this might have been due to not heating up the zinc enough before pouring it into the mold. This could cause the zinc to wear out unevenly or prematurely.
My $.02.
On my boat I have only about a 1/2" gap between the prop and the cutlass bearing. I have been buying 1" collar zincs for about the last 5 years. In order to make the zinc fit the limited gap I have to grind/cut and swear at the damn thing until the thickness comes down to about 1/2". The last collar zinc I got from WM which was Chinese made. During the swearing/cutting/grinding process I noticed small voids in the material. There were also some spots where there were small internal cracks in the material. I guess that this might have been due to not heating up the zinc enough before pouring it into the mold. This could cause the zinc to wear out unevenly or prematurely.
My $.02.
CalebD, Do you have enough room to move your propeller out a little
farther? I have about 2 inches between the prop hub and the cutlass bearing and less than that between the shaft end and the rudder. When I need to pull the prop I unbolt the engine from the stringers and pull it forward. Then when I have the prop back on I put the engine back in place and reinstall the eight bolts. If you have room to move the engine and drive train aft a couple of inches you could save yourself a bunch of grief. Shaft seals must be considered.
farther? I have about 2 inches between the prop hub and the cutlass bearing and less than that between the shaft end and the rudder. When I need to pull the prop I unbolt the engine from the stringers and pull it forward. Then when I have the prop back on I put the engine back in place and reinstall the eight bolts. If you have room to move the engine and drive train aft a couple of inches you could save yourself a bunch of grief. Shaft seals must be considered.
Larry
To reiterate your statements:
"would you use Chinese stainless turnbuckles, or Chinese stainless wire rigging, or Chinese stainless stanchions, or...? With rare exceptions Chinese products are made to swindle the customer, period."
This sounds very much like the perception I've heard before without any real data to support such statements. Not to be argumentative but if you have any evidence in support any of what you said, I'd be interested in reading it.
It's quite possible people who want the cheapest price often get what they pay for regardless of where it is made.
To reiterate your statements:
"would you use Chinese stainless turnbuckles, or Chinese stainless wire rigging, or Chinese stainless stanchions, or...? With rare exceptions Chinese products are made to swindle the customer, period."
This sounds very much like the perception I've heard before without any real data to support such statements. Not to be argumentative but if you have any evidence in support any of what you said, I'd be interested in reading it.
It's quite possible people who want the cheapest price often get what they pay for regardless of where it is made.
Don, I can endorse your post. I have often purchased "Made in China"
Haedware with American Company names on the label and the statement "meets ASTM xxxx". Many American Companies have moved manufacturing into asia and continue to maintain the quality control that has made their name dependable. My concern is that we are teaching the rest of the world how to compete with us using our technology and machine tools.
I asked a friend /customer what we are exporting that allows us to continue as the worlds largest exporter. He said that I believed it to be technology in all of its forms.
If I find a shackle marked with SWL 2T and a Campbell name on it I don't care if it was made in Bangladesh. I trust the name.
Haedware with American Company names on the label and the statement "meets ASTM xxxx". Many American Companies have moved manufacturing into asia and continue to maintain the quality control that has made their name dependable. My concern is that we are teaching the rest of the world how to compete with us using our technology and machine tools.
I asked a friend /customer what we are exporting that allows us to continue as the worlds largest exporter. He said that I believed it to be technology in all of its forms.
If I find a shackle marked with SWL 2T and a Campbell name on it I don't care if it was made in Bangladesh. I trust the name.
Ross, thanks for the thought.
Every time I have to replace a zinc I think about what I could do to make this job easier and my life simpler. But being a rather short sighted human being I forget about the pain that this causes me until the next time (season) our zinc needs replacing. I should find a metal shop that will grind it down for me as I am told that breathing zinc dust is not too healthy. That could help to explain some of my bad behavior on this forum of late.
Moving the entire engine back an inch or less would do it but as you point out I would have to re-plumb the cutlass bearing as well. Sounds like more work than grinding zincs every year though. I will have to look into this.
Another option would be getting a slightly longer shaft but that sounds a bit pricey at the moment. Our prop sits in an aperture between the rudder and the hull which sounds similar to your prop/shaft set up.
Another boater suggested we install a 'drivesaver' http://www.getaprop.com/content-product_info/product_id-1415/drivesaver_354.html
which also seems expensive and I am not sure if this would work on my A4 setup.
In the words of someone wiser than me: "Those who cannot learn from the past are condemned to repeat it..", so each year I find myself creating and breathing zinc dust while cursing my own inertia (stupidity).
I think I will ask this question over at the moyer marine forums. Thanks for your input.
Every time I have to replace a zinc I think about what I could do to make this job easier and my life simpler. But being a rather short sighted human being I forget about the pain that this causes me until the next time (season) our zinc needs replacing. I should find a metal shop that will grind it down for me as I am told that breathing zinc dust is not too healthy. That could help to explain some of my bad behavior on this forum of late.
Moving the entire engine back an inch or less would do it but as you point out I would have to re-plumb the cutlass bearing as well. Sounds like more work than grinding zincs every year though. I will have to look into this.
Another option would be getting a slightly longer shaft but that sounds a bit pricey at the moment. Our prop sits in an aperture between the rudder and the hull which sounds similar to your prop/shaft set up.
Another boater suggested we install a 'drivesaver' http://www.getaprop.com/content-product_info/product_id-1415/drivesaver_354.html
which also seems expensive and I am not sure if this would work on my A4 setup.
In the words of someone wiser than me: "Those who cannot learn from the past are condemned to repeat it..", so each year I find myself creating and breathing zinc dust while cursing my own inertia (stupidity).
I think I will ask this question over at the moyer marine forums. Thanks for your input.
CalebD, If you are brave you can probably cut those zincs with a carbide
router bit. It works on aluminum I may try it on zinc ane let you know . A machine shop would put those donuts in a lathe and face them off in about 30 seconds each. Buy a dozen and pay him 50 bucks..
router bit. It works on aluminum I may try it on zinc ane let you know . A machine shop would put those donuts in a lathe and face them off in about 30 seconds each. Buy a dozen and pay him 50 bucks..
Ross, that is the one tool I did not think about using
but it makes sense. Would a dado bit make the most sense?
I guess I am dumb and brave!
OTOH, I really like the idea of having a machine shop crank out a few at a time. It would save me a world of grief as I probably spent over 6 hours fussing with the last one before mounting it on the shaft.
It takes a village and an idiot (me).
but it makes sense. Would a dado bit make the most sense?
I guess I am dumb and brave!
OTOH, I really like the idea of having a machine shop crank out a few at a time. It would save me a world of grief as I probably spent over 6 hours fussing with the last one before mounting it on the shaft.
It takes a village and an idiot (me).
Don,
do you think those who use lead paint in childrens toys, put poison in toothpaste and dog food, etc. etc. are going to make a high-quality SS? Google the subject and see for yourself. China is not known for their business ethics.
do you think those who use lead paint in childrens toys, put poison in toothpaste and dog food, etc. etc. are going to make a high-quality SS? Google the subject and see for yourself. China is not known for their business ethics.
Chinese products
To the extent this applies to Asian made prodicts such as zinc anodes, if anyone has doubts about Chinese products, those who view the Olympics next week will see one of the great construction wonders of the modern world in the sense that the so-called Birdcage stadium is constructed using a steel unique in its characteristics in numerous ways and engineered and constructed so as to almost defy structural engineering imagination.
Larry - In case you missed it, I'll wait for you to submit corroborating data to support your bias.
To the extent this applies to Asian made prodicts such as zinc anodes, if anyone has doubts about Chinese products, those who view the Olympics next week will see one of the great construction wonders of the modern world in the sense that the so-called Birdcage stadium is constructed using a steel unique in its characteristics in numerous ways and engineered and constructed so as to almost defy structural engineering imagination.
Larry - In case you missed it, I'll wait for you to submit corroborating data to support your bias.
Don,
great construction of the modern world!? That birdcage thing has got to be the ugliest building I've seen! It looks like a gigantic bird nest! Their buildings fall down and kill their own children, FCOL! Builders are being indicted every day. The Chinese block Olympic journalists access to websites and other media. This could get into a political discussion that's not suitable for this site, but I think you must have business interests in China. And I didn't miss anything, google for yourself. Take a magnet with you when you go buy your Chinese stainless.
great construction of the modern world!? That birdcage thing has got to be the ugliest building I've seen! It looks like a gigantic bird nest! Their buildings fall down and kill their own children, FCOL! Builders are being indicted every day. The Chinese block Olympic journalists access to websites and other media. This could get into a political discussion that's not suitable for this site, but I think you must have business interests in China. And I didn't miss anything, google for yourself. Take a magnet with you when you go buy your Chinese stainless.
Larry, When ever you buy stainless steel carry
a magnet. There are many ss alloys that are magnetic and most of them are very good for their intended purpose. Your bias appears to be more of a prejudice concerning all things Chinese. That is neither a well informed stance nor a reasolable position in todays world.
a magnet. There are many ss alloys that are magnetic and most of them are very good for their intended purpose. Your bias appears to be more of a prejudice concerning all things Chinese. That is neither a well informed stance nor a reasolable position in todays world.
china business people
are generally willing to give the customer what they order, if the customer says give me the cheapest price, you'll get the lowest quality material, fit and finish possible. If you tell them you want high quality parts you'll get it.
So the problem is not always that it's 'made in china' it's the company that's putting their name on it that you should blame for quality issues. That company's quality control may actually just be 'quantity' control.
agree, zinc is zinc, and it's not overly cost effective to alloy it with some other material, but the actual manufacturing process can be 'cheapened' easily, reducing temps, reducing pressure on the die casting process, not specifying 'pure' zinc etc can save fuel, energy and material costs at the expense of a quality product. I've seen a few zinc die-cast products where I could easily produce a better quality product with open mold casting.
Not a fan of off-shore production, and realy dislike seeing 'made in china' on nearly everything you buy, but feel blame should be placed where it's warrented. Can't blame someone for giving a guy what they ask for after all.
Ken.
are generally willing to give the customer what they order, if the customer says give me the cheapest price, you'll get the lowest quality material, fit and finish possible. If you tell them you want high quality parts you'll get it.
So the problem is not always that it's 'made in china' it's the company that's putting their name on it that you should blame for quality issues. That company's quality control may actually just be 'quantity' control.
agree, zinc is zinc, and it's not overly cost effective to alloy it with some other material, but the actual manufacturing process can be 'cheapened' easily, reducing temps, reducing pressure on the die casting process, not specifying 'pure' zinc etc can save fuel, energy and material costs at the expense of a quality product. I've seen a few zinc die-cast products where I could easily produce a better quality product with open mold casting.
Not a fan of off-shore production, and realy dislike seeing 'made in china' on nearly everything you buy, but feel blame should be placed where it's warrented. Can't blame someone for giving a guy what they ask for after all.
Ken.
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