Bolt replacement: Pro and Cons?

[Chiz]

I am fairly new to restoring old machines and equipment and I was wondering on the pros and cons of bolt replacement. If the original bolts are fine I use them, but now I am getting ready to start a bullet vice project and the original bolts are damages beyond use. I have seen various people change everything out to Stainless fasteners, but are there any reasons why changing out to Stainless is NOT a good idea? If not Stainless, then what should be used? I am all ears to thoughts and ideas. Thanks!

 

[Fretters]

Stainless looks out of place on old gear, IMHO, and if you ever need to shear or drill a stuck fastener, that's easier with mild. Self coloured steel for me every time.

 

[jakemac]

it depends on your endgame.
Are you turning the object into a beauty queen, or a user.
Beauty Queen - go bling
User - think function

 

[Davefr]

Stainless looks out of place on old gear, IMHO, and if you ever need to shear or drill a stuck fastener, that's easier with mild. Self coloured steel for me every time.

^^Agree. The one thing I would do is swap the screws holding the jaws inserts to hex. (Phillips is too easily damaged IMHO). Hex would also be easier to drill out if you ever need to.

 

[Chiz]

Stainless looks out of place on old gear, IMHO, and if you ever need to shear or drill a stuck fastener, that's easier with mild. Self coloured steel for me every time.

I never thought about the problem of drilling out stainless in the future, definitely a big consideration.

it depends on your endgame.
Are you turning the object into a beauty queen, or a user.
Beauty Queen - go bling
User - think function

I am not a collector, but a user and usually like to keep the integrity intact as much as possible. I would like to think that eventually my tools would go to my kids and they would use and repair them as needed.

^^Agree. The one thing I would do is swap the screws holding the jaws inserts to hex. (Phillips is too easily damaged IMHO). Hex would also be easier to drill out if you ever need to.

The vice is a first generation bullet and had flat head 10-32’s: Hex makes sense.

Thanks guys!

 

[theoldwizard1]

If it is a "restoration" I would not use stainless, unless you want it to "look nice". Most stainless fasteners are NOT as strong a typical grade 5 fasteners.

I do typically replace fasteners on outdoor power equipment with stainless just so that they will not rust.

 

[Thumper68]

I will use original where I can but I find that I use up a lot of grade 5 when rebuilding something. Grade 5 is all I buy for the bolt cabinets, grade 8 is for specific projects.

 

[454ragtop]

Meh, you're not working on a matching number Corvette here. In the grand scheme of things, probably won't matter one way or the other. I wouldn't hesitate to use stainless, if you're restoring a vise even for use, it's unlikely you're going to abuse it to the point where you'll be drilling out bolts or screws.

 

[ddawg16]

But stainless bolts will gall easier....and if you don't use anti-seize....can get stuck

 

[PelicanPines]

i paint stainless rust brown... and use those.

 

[Chiz]

Thank you everyone for you input. Certainly gave me some things to think about. I have a couple of days before I have to make a firm decision.