The original Rohn joint bolts were Grade 5, galvanized. That's not
something that Lowe's or Home Depot stocks, at least in my
experience. They only carry Grade 3 galvanized. Ace will have Grad e5
and Grade 8 hardware, but it's unlikely that it will be galvanized.
Lowes stocks Grade 5 and Grade 8 bolts but they are plated not
galvanized. Their galvanized bolts were marked with a symbol
that I thought was for Grade 5. But I guess it is a corporate logo
or something. Next time I will wear my glasses when checking
their bolts. They also have some "A307" galvanized bolts that are
only 60,000 psi. I guess what they have at any given moment is
what they got the best deal on.
The last time I bought genuine Rohn joint bolt kits from Texas Towers (ten
years ago, admittedly) they weren't galvanized, adn they were NF
thread. Don't know why the change.
I was also surprised to see that Rohn had switched to SAE NF plated
bolts at some point. Assumed it was to cut costs. Just that
they are not as long-lasting as hot dipped.
I would suggest Grade 8 hardware. Somewhat more corrosion resistant than
the lesser grades.
I am not sure that this would be a problem but you have to be a little
careful about trading up as well as down. Some of the higher
grade bolts are more brittle and known in the auto-racing game
as "widow makers". A less brittle bolt may give a bit rather
than just crack in half. Probably not a problem but I would be
careful.
Theoretically NF bolts should be somewhat stronger that NC bolts
since the threads are not as deep so they can be closer together.
But I certainly prefer the LOOK of the hot-dipped NC ones over the
plated ones.
John W0UN
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