Just a note to everyone to check your Home Depot store, next time you're in. I was in my local HD store in SW Florida and they have a small display of some common stuff, all in 316.
Home Depot has 316 stainless steel hardware
- Thread starter Halfhitch
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Mustang65fbk
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Hopefully they're a decent quality product... Home Depot is oftentimes pretty hit or miss in that regard. I typically always go to a place nearby called Tacoma Screw, they've got great products and their employees are very knowledgeable with just about anything that you might need.
Rhumbline306
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another benefit of being in FL, haha. i dont think our HDs carry anything marine oriented. my ACE has ss, but there is no grade marking. i just order everything from McMaster
Most hardware stores carry 304 stainless steel screws and bolts. I ask our local West Marine guy id their screws are 316 SS. He said..."uhhh, I don't know"....Which means no.
McMaster and Carr is a good source but expensive and makes for a time lag in a project.
There is a lot of sub standard "316" hardware out there.
During the Covid interruption in the supply chain, a lot of poor quality fittings were produced. Other than branded known name reliable vendors, I don't know how to identify the inferior hardware. Country of origin may be a factor
During the Covid interruption in the supply chain, a lot of poor quality fittings were produced. Other than branded known name reliable vendors, I don't know how to identify the inferior hardware. Country of origin may be a factor
Yup! 100% dead-on. I have seen this firsthand - top-tier brands that have always had solid hardware... we're seeing screws and snaps that are showing rust after just a couple seasons... and we RARELY see rust on this type of hardware from these top-tier brands.There is a lot of sub standard "316" hardware out there.
During the Covid interruption in the supply chain, a lot of poor quality fittings were produced. Other than branded known name reliable vendors, I don't know how to identify the inferior hardware. Country of origin may be a factor
The way to ID the inferior hardware... the only way I know of is to wait it out a year or so