Where is everyone purchasing their aluminum & grade 8 washers?

I am in need of two rather unusual sizes;

Aluminum - 7/16" I.D. X 1.5" O.D. x 1/8" Thick
Grade 8 - 7/16" I.D. X 2.5" O.D. x Any Thickness

If some one could point me in the right direction, that would be great.



-Todd

http://www.boltdepot.com/Catalog.aspx?wt.srch=1&wt.mc_id=broadbolts
Google is a wonderful thing.:yes:
BillL

http://www.boltdepot.com/Catalog.aspx?wt.srch=1&wt.mc_id=broadbolts
Google is a wonderful thing.:yes:
BillL

I don't see any Aluminum washers, much less in the size I need in either type. :noway: Already googled, did not come up with much, sent in a request to a custom washer maker, but I bet it will be over $100 for 24 washers.

-Todd

Have you tried McMaster Carr? www.McMaster.com

Aluminum - 7/16" I.D. X 1.5" O.D. x 1/8" Thick
Grade 8 - 7/16" I.D. X 2.5" O.D. x Any Thickness
Todd

OK, why do you have to have Grade 8?? If this is for a seat belt mount you might try these guys- http://www.andoauto.com/ I know they sent me some large OD washers in either 5/8" or 7/16".
These guys are in Naples- http://www.aluminumfastener.com/ or you could get some 1 1/2" or 2" x 1/8" aluminum strap at Home Depot, cut it with a 1 1/2" hole saw & drill a 7/16" hole in it. No biggie if you have a drill press.;)
BillL

I get grade 8 washers, nuts, and bolts at the local ACE hardware store. Prices aren't too bad for a couple here and there, but probably not the best deal if you want larger quantities. They also have free movie theater style popcorn and coffee for you to munch on while digging through the bolt bins :D

I don't know if they'd have the right large OD washers though. I've seen they have some larger ones, I think they call them "fender" washers. I don't know what grade they are.

Sorry for a dumb question. What is a grade 8 washer? Grade eight refers to the tensile strength of a bolt. A washer has a tensile strength rating?

Any good hardware store may very well have washers like that.

Sorry for a dumb question. What is a grade 8 washer? Grade eight refers to the tensile strength of a bolt. A washer has a tensile strength rating?

yes.

Have you tried McMaster Carr? www.McMaster.com (http://www.McMaster.com)

Forgot about them, I'll check it out.

OK, why do you have to have Grade 8?? If this is for a seat belt mount you might try these guys- http://www.andoauto.com/ I know they sent me some large OD washers in either 5/8" or 7/16".
These guys are in Naples- http://www.aluminumfastener.com/ or you could get some 1 1/2" or 2" x 1/8" aluminum strap at Home Depot, cut it with a 1 1/2" hole saw & drill a 7/16" hole in it. No biggie if you have a drill press.;)
BillL

Well, I don't really need Grade 8, but it is a very high stress application.

I was trying not to make them, but if it comes down to that, I will.

I get grade 8 washers, nuts, and bolts at the local ACE hardware store. Prices aren't too bad for a couple here and there, but probably not the best deal if you want larger quantities. They also have free movie theater style popcorn and coffee for you to munch on while digging through the bolt bins :D

I don't know if they'd have the right large OD washers though. I've seen they have some larger ones, I think they call them "fender" washers. I don't know what grade they are.
Any good hardware store may very well have washers like that.

Yea, looked through all local hardware stores, I could make one by welding a 7/16" washer on top of a 1" washer, but that is a moot point. Plus I don't think my welding skills are up to par, and I don't want to weld 12+ washers. :noway:

Next stop is the local bolt specialty store, I doubt they'll have anything, but I guess it's worth a shot.

-Todd

coffee for you to munch on while digging through the bolt bins

That must be some strong coffee!!!!!

I've had good luck finding odd sizes at the small locally owned hardware stores. I don't even go to HD anymore for that stuff.

I dont know if they will carry them BUT this place deals with alot of "off the wall' hardware. I have dealt with them many times:

A&A Bolt and Screw
Baltimore, MD
(410) 687-8831

Hope this helps!

Also try "Dr. Bolt" (800) 540-4511. I know he has grade 8 hardware

That must be some strong coffee!!!!!


Well I bet it;s the same pot that's been on the burner all day long....probably not much water left! :D

ok since nobody else has asked,(they must already know).where in the world do you use alum washers on a car?

How can a washer have need for specific tensile strength? The washer is compressed. The washer is not being pulled apart like the bolt is.

Is a washer considered grade 8 because it is plated the same as the bolt?


Come on Mechanical Engineers, help me out.

I've heard of grade 8 bolts, but I don't recall grade 8 washers!

Grade 8 refers to the higher carbon content, resulting in higher strength. Even in compression you can squish a washer. Higher carbon content will hold its shape under higher load.

Where to use an aluminum washer? only with aluminum screws or nuts, different metals mated together produce a small electric current, therefore you get corrosion.

The further the metals are apart on the galvanic scale the worse the problem.

Alright, I pretty much got it figured out. I no longer need Aluminum washers, I redesigned what I wanted to do.

As far as high strength washers;

Grade 8, or any High Grade washers, are good for side loading, as well as many other uses.

But I'll use side loading as the main objective.

Think of bolting two pieces of 2"x6"s together, when inducing a side load on one, it will want to force the bolt over, a large strong washer will give the bolt head a larger contact surface area, allowing it to stand strong. Where as, with a weak(er) washer, it will just give way, and allow the bolt to shift...


-Todd

I may have this part already but. What exactly do you need them for then?

A One-Off type thing. I'll post some pictures/details up once it is finished.. ;)

-Todd

machine shop and tool & die shops use hardened steel washers in some applications where there is high clamping force or high wear problems.
Some of the ARP bolt and/or stud kits come with hardened washers.
I have also used hardened steel washers on engine acc brackets with good results.

If you have a Caterpillar dealer/Service facility in your area they will carry all grade 8 hardware that you could ever need. Price is reflective of high quality but if your project demands grade 8 strength you should be willing to spend the bucks.

If you have a TSC check there because I know our local one carries the grade 8 items.
Also a good tip above.

Nelson

Check through the MSC Catalog (see link). You can search for hardened washers and may find ones that you can use.
http://www1.mscdirect.com/cgi/nnsrhm

Check with a shop that does structural steel fabrication. They will have high strength washers used for heavy steel construction with high shear (side loading) capacity. Installed correctly the wood with shear before the washer will. You can also get ones with raised edges to resist turning. Really cool ones are called load indicating. They have raised ridges that compress at a designated torque value. Used in steel moment frames when you need to specify a minimum torque value and do not want to test every bolt with a torque wrench. What are you building, a catapult???