chainplates

[Madu]

Hello all,

I need new bronze/brass? chain plates for my Lightning sailboat. The existing ones are 6" L x 1" w x 3/32nds"thick. They look like they were fashioned from whatever they had on hand. The original plans call for 21" in length. Anyone know of a source for his material or a fabricator? I have a lot of other bronze hardware and would like to match rather than go stainless.

Cheers,

Matt H.

[paladin]

I can post the information/source Monday for bronze strap. I have several sources that I use for plate so it would be good if you say where you will be ordering from and I also may have an inexpensive fabricator for you. What is the wire size used with the plates...?

[D Happ]

Online Metals has it. I think they are in Washington State.
I'm assuming you just need flat strap?
Online Metals (http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?id=850&step=2&top_cat=850)

[paladin]

First, you stated that the chainplates are 3/16th thick.....theoretically the maximum sized wire to use with that as silicon bronze should be no larger than 3/16 inch wire rope assuming stainless steel.
Assuming also that you are using 1/8th in wire and 1/4 inch turnbuckles, the figures for the chainplates should be chainplates of 1/8th inch silicon bronze, hole diameter 1/4 inch and the center of the chain plate hole drilled a bit farther than 3/8ths of an inch from the rounded edge. I also would have recommended online metals.

[donald branscom]

Use bronze NOT brass.
Bronze has tin in it to make it stronger.

[TimmS]

Try Atlas Metals (http://www.atlasmetal.com/) They are great to deal with and often have small pieces lying around. Call them, I am not wild about their website...

[Madu]

Thanks everyone! What a great forum..several options to choose from. I'm in Ontario, Canada so I may try Online Metals first..it looks like they have a good deal on shipping! I have Lightning 4976, built in Seneca Falls NY in 1951/52. Still a ways from hitting the water again but I'm plugging along. New keel, some ribs, floor timbers, garboard planks and rebuilt trunk are all that stand in the way...oh boy!

Cheers

[44xt]

Not sure what part of Ontario you are in but check the yellow pages of major cities near you for "Metal Supermarket" They will have the bronze bar you are looking for and will cut to your specified length. They will even throw it on a bus for shipping.

Good luck!

[Madu]

44XT: Thanks for the tip! I have one 20 minutes away from me. How could I miss that one? Thanks again though to everyone south of the border for the supplier suggestions!

Further query for Donald B. I figured I should use bronze but note that the silicon bronze screws I am using for fasteners sometimes seem a little soft. Is there a different grade bronze that would be necessary for chainplates?

Thanks.