Hi all, I'm rebedding the chain plates on my m-17. The old bolts are so dirty, and replacements so cheap, that instead of spending hours cleaning them off I thought I'd just replace them. I find it rather difficult to hold the bolts in place when tightening the nuts after the sealant has cured, and always worry about ripping the seal when the screwdriver slips and the bolt turns. Seems that with hex head bolts, maybe with a flange, I could put a wrench on the head and the extra leverage would help me hold it in place. I could even brace it against the the rail or deck with a bit of scrap wood. This got me wondering why round head bolts were so prevalent in the first place. I think my gudgeons are affixed with hex head, but elsewhere I see only pan or round head. It doesn't seem that hex heads would cause much likely hood of snagging a line or sail. Can anyone explain why I shouldn't start using hex head instead? Would it be ill advised to use them for the chain plates? Thanks for your insights. Dan Farrell M17 #301
Dan Hex head stainless bolts, stainless washers and stainless aircraft lock nuts are all we use. Go ahead and upgrade. I am guessing round head slotted bolts are not standard and someone the last 35 years probably swapped out hardware and rebedded your chain plates. Be well Bob Montgomery Boats. 949-489-8227
We used round heads whenever practical for several reasons, the biggest being that you are less likely to snag yourself on them when struggling to get somewhere else on the boat in heavy seas. Most would agree that they look a little better, and they are cleaner, with less weight and windage. Some of these are admittedly picky things. Another reason that matters to some of us is that when racing in a drifter, we use 3/16 or 1/4 sheets, and these can snag on HH bolts. None of these are big deals, and don't be afraid of HH's. Use Gorilla tape to hold the wrench in place! -----Original Message----- From: Bob Eeg Sent: Monday, April 17, 2017 6:33 AM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: Re: M_Boats: Why not hex head bolts? Dan Hex head stainless bolts, stainless washers and stainless aircraft lock nuts are all we use. Go ahead and upgrade. I am guessing round head slotted bolts are not standard and someone the last 35 years probably swapped out hardware and rebedded your chain plates. Be well Bob Montgomery Boats. 949-489-8227
Hi Dan, I use hex head bolts on my M 17 and anyplace I am likely to open a knuckle on one I round off the very top edges. A wrench will still grab the flats but those six top points are polished round. Fair winds, Tom B, M17 "AS-IS" On Mon, Apr 17, 2017 at 8:22 AM, Dan Farrell <msog@danf.us> wrote:
Hi all,
I'm rebedding the chain plates on my m-17. The old bolts are so dirty, and replacements so cheap, that instead of spending hours cleaning them off I thought I'd just replace them.
I find it rather difficult to hold the bolts in place when tightening the nuts after the sealant has cured, and always worry about ripping the seal when the screwdriver slips and the bolt turns. Seems that with hex head bolts, maybe with a flange, I could put a wrench on the head and the extra leverage would help me hold it in place. I could even brace it against the the rail or deck with a bit of scrap wood.
This got me wondering why round head bolts were so prevalent in the first place. I think my gudgeons are affixed with hex head, but elsewhere I see only pan or round head. It doesn't seem that hex heads would cause much likely hood of snagging a line or sail.
Can anyone explain why I shouldn't start using hex head instead? Would it be ill advised to use them for the chain plates? Thanks for your insights.
Dan Farrell M17 #301
Genius! Henry Monita On Mon, Apr 17, 2017 at 12:50 PM, Thomas Buzzi <thomaspbuzzi@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Dan, I use hex head bolts on my M 17 and anyplace I am likely to open a knuckle on one I round off the very top edges. A wrench will still grab the flats but those six top points are polished round. Fair winds, Tom B, M17 "AS-IS"
On Mon, Apr 17, 2017 at 8:22 AM, Dan Farrell <msog@danf.us> wrote:
Hi all,
I'm rebedding the chain plates on my m-17. The old bolts are so dirty, and replacements so cheap, that instead of spending hours cleaning them off I thought I'd just replace them.
I find it rather difficult to hold the bolts in place when tightening the nuts after the sealant has cured, and always worry about ripping the seal when the screwdriver slips and the bolt turns. Seems that with hex head bolts, maybe with a flange, I could put a wrench on the head and the extra leverage would help me hold it in place. I could even brace it against the the rail or deck with a bit of scrap wood.
This got me wondering why round head bolts were so prevalent in the first place. I think my gudgeons are affixed with hex head, but elsewhere I see only pan or round head. It doesn't seem that hex heads would cause much likely hood of snagging a line or sail.
Can anyone explain why I shouldn't start using hex head instead? Would it be ill advised to use them for the chain plates? Thanks for your insights.
Dan Farrell M17 #301
-- Henry https://picasaweb.google.com/heinzir
participants (5)
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Bob Eeg -
Dan Farrell -
Henry Rodriguez -
jerry＠jerrymontgomery.org -
Thomas Buzzi