Jamestown Distributors is your source for non-corrosive, marine-grade fasteners. We work hard to carry the proper fastener for all of your boatbuilding and woodworking applications.
Selecting the proper fastener material is not always easy. As you know, each type of metal is designed for a different application. Here is a quick breakdown of the different types of metals that we offer.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel screws are the workhorse for modern boatbuilding or exterior woodworking applications. They provide great corrosion resistance while remaining affordable. Hardened steel screws are more common in the woodworking environment, but cannot be used in a corrosive environment. Our stainless steel fasteners are available in two grades: 18-8 grade fasteners offer good corrosion resistance and contain very little carbon; 316 grade fasteners contain molybdenum, which significantly increases corrosion resistance, and the cost. Some cautions: stainless steel fasteners can't be in an anaerobic environment and, as such, should only be used with caution below the waterline. And when you're fastening stainless steel nuts to stainless steel bolts, you'll want to lubricate your fasteners with an anti-seize lubricant like Ultra Tef-Gel to prevent binding.
Silicon Bronze
Silicon bronze is primarily used for boat building & wooden boat restoration, although many people appreciate the look it can provide with Western red cedar or redwood because the screws will eventually blend into the color of the wood. Silicon bronze screws provide excellent corrosion resistance but are soft and require a carefully sized pilot hole to avoid breakage. (Pre-threading the hole with a steel screw will certainly help as will drilling, twice, once for the root diameter and once for the shank. Another alternative is to use a step drill, which can drill and countersink in a single operation. In all cases, you should lubricate the screw with a fastener lubricant such as Lloyd's Original Akempucky, and be aware of the torque you are exerting.)
Brass
Brass fasteners are surprisingly strong, but brass is a very soft metal. Brass screws also demand a carefully sized pilot hole to avoid installation breakage. Brass is the traditional choice for a non-corrosive metal, and brass fasteners impart a classic look and feel to any project.
Galvanized
Our galvanized fasteners are Grade 2 steel hot-dipped in a zinc coating to protect against corrosion. Galvanized fasteners are the least expensive metal choice for the corrosive marine environment.