[TowerTalk] rohn 45 leg bolts

[W0UN -- John Brosnahan]

>
>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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