[TowerTalk] Galling and seizing of SS nuts to SS threaded studs and

[john at kk9a.com]

Maybe you tighten them really really tight? I have been using lithium grease
with stainless steel hardware which is somewhat cleaner to work with than
other recommended products. I have not had any issues removing the hardware,
even after it being up for years in the Caribbean. The only issue with
stainless steel in the Caribbean is that it dissolves any aluminum that it
is in contact with.

John KK9A
 

To:	towertalk at contesting.com
Subject:	Re: [TowerTalk] Galling and seizing of SS nuts to SS
threaded studs and bolts.
From:	Steve Bookout <steve at nr4m.com>
Date:	Sun, 2 Jul 2017 12:56:11 -0400
List-post:	<mailto:towertalk at contesting.com>
Hello all,

I have tried using anti seize compounds on stainless hardware, but I find it
next to useless once the nut/bolt connection has been out in the wx for a
long time. I would expect that even if externally 'washed off' by the
weather, there would be some left on the inside where the actual stainless
to stainless contact takes place. But, I don't recall EVER having it come
apart as it should.

I remember always using anti seize compound on the U-bolts on Hygain
rotators and always breaking them off at a later date. This was, of course,
when I had no spare available. I just started to *assume* the U-bolt would
gall, seize and beak, and I would make sure there was a spare one available.

Commercially available zinc, or cad plated hardware is junk and should be
avoided.

Years ago, I took down 6 - 90 foot AB-105 towers from a military facility
which was closing. They had been up since the mid fifties. I just *knew* it
would be a real PITA to disassemble this tower into 10 foot sections for
trailer transport. I purchased 2 electric impacts, thinking I would be
needing to break lots of frozen up bolts.

Surprisingly, the only hardware that broke were some pieces of 'hardware
store' hardware, They were old, and almost unrecognizable, globs of rust.
Every other bolt on the towers were hot dipped galvanized and could be
removed easily with regular hand tools, although the impact wrenches made it
almost too easy.

Bottom line for me is that I will only use hot dipped galvanized hardware,
unless I have no other choice, and then I will use stainless. But, I
consider the stainless to be 'one time use'.

73 de Steve, NR4M