Either using timeserts wire thread inserts or Anita specials, we try to rigid tap in a cnc mill. The results are far superior to any other method. Even tapping heads.
The down side of making custom fasteners, is the lack of control over the platers. Anything that's left in for too long can be a nightmare.
Though not a fan, this is one of the reasons we started making oil fittings in stainless.
In my case not having to deal with any platers is a major motivator for the use of stainless in many applications, as well as avoiding the repetition that comes along as the plated surface finish fails...Zinc plating IMO is a complete waste of time if the bike is ever to be used on a saltly road (or beach in Normandy) and it looks less like Cadmium than blasted stainless steel does...Frankly, I think the dislike of stainless is a little irrational, as alternative plated finishes to those originally used aren't 'standard' either, but each to their own I guess...
I've used some tin plate (with a copper base) for some fittings lately...The finish is a fair match for cadmium visually but only time will tell how durable it is...
I've done this only where replication in stainless is problematical, for example the various parts of the filler cap mechanisms...Ian
Not quite sure, but I think someone here in Israel once used Land Rover bolts.
I do not remember of course from which part, but they suited him exactly.
The two main problems with stainless steel alloys is that it's more prone to fracture that high tensile steel alloys.
It's bad enough that most machine shop don't understand the properties of steels let alone Stainless grade steel alloys.
Another problem that is often overlooked is the galvanic corrosion between mild steel and and stainless steel.
It's a big problem with older busses and coaches. It seemed like a good idea skinning them in stainless with a mild steel frame. Once you get some mud and water in the interface area the magic starts. A few years later and the coach looks sound, but is rotten behind it's skin.
Things do change though, I remember when motocross wheels built with stainless spokes collapsed. They seem to work ok now.
I've used stainless fasteners for decades and can't honestly say galvanic corrosion (or the results of it) have been an issue...There are grades for most applications. In my last job (a pharmaceutical manufacturer) we had production machinery and pumps etc. produced entirely in stainless steel, rotors, shafts, fasteners etc. etc....Ian
Well the take away from that & just bout eery other monkey with a tension wrench video is just about all of them are as strong or stronger than the bolt
I am not a fan of helicoils in BSF as the wire is no longer the correct diamond shape it once was so they tend to strip the threads off the bolts if overtightened.
I run some shadows as hire cars and it was interesting when I first took a spannar to one and noticed every hole in the alloy was helicoiled, including the plug holes
Fail to put some lube on the plug threads and you can forget about changing plugs
The mobile thread repaired ftted bronze ones and that was the last time We ever had a frozen plug