Converting to and Fabricating Bronze Chainplates/Tangs

[blahman]

Douglas and others,

Hello all,

onlinemetals.com offers Aluminum Bronze, alloy C95400, in 3/8"x2" and 1.5". The total cost for all of the bronze I need (12ft of 2", 6ft of 1.5") would be about $300.

I have seen people say that aluminum nickle bronze and silicon bronze are good choices for use as chainplates. However, I'm not sure about "aluminum bronze". It's specifications are thus:

Aluminum Bronze, C954
Minimum Properties Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi 85,000
Yield Strength, psi 32,000
Elongation in 2" 12%
Brinell Hardness 170
Chemistry Copper (Cu) 83.0% min
Iron (Fe) 3.0 - 5.0%
Aluminum (Al) 10.0 - 11.5%


As opposed to silicon bronze:

Silicon Bronze, C655
Minimum Properties Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi 85,000
Yield Strength, psi 55,000
Elongation in 2" 20%
Rockwell Hardness B90
Chemistry Copper (Cu) 97.0% min
Iron (Fe) 0.8% max
Manganese (Mn) 1.5% max
Nickel (Ni) 0.6% max
Lead (Pb) 0.5% max
Silicon (Si) 2.8 - 3.8%
Zinc (Zn) 1.5% max


Does anyone have experience using aluminum bronze; I want to make sure it is a strong enough metal. I'm not sure if "32,000 psi" for yield strength is enough compared to silicon bronze's "55,000 psi". I have found sources for aluminum nickle and silicon bronze sheet, but the total cost is near or above $1000, and I'd still have to cut it, so if this "aluminum bronze" is acceptable, it would be nice!

Thank you for your time!
Aaron

[Jack]

We have a Westsail 32 here in Annapolis that just refit with bronze chainplates. Southbound Rigging
http://www.voyageundersail.com/ Call them and ask for Mike.
They use a waterjet cutter and it sounded pretty reasonable.
I can shoot you pics also. It is bronze chainplate to Collage deadeyes and Dynex Dux rope rigging. We termed it the "Wireless Westsail"
It is Bronze chainplate and Titanium mast tangs, the Dux took 125 lbs. off the rig......:-)

[Jim Fulton]

I saw it at the Boat Show--it's gorgeous. The rigging is impressive. It doesn't hurt that the boat is one of the best-kept Westsails that I've ever seen.

Jim Fulton

[blahman]

Jack,

Thanks for the feedback. I just sent them a rigging.

I've heard about your boat - a BCC owner who just rigged using DD mentioned there was a Westsail that had just gone that route that was "pretty as anything he'd seen". I'd love to see some photos of your boat, especially the rigging!

Our standing rigging is due - would be nice to hear your take on DD for the Westsail.

Thanks!
Aaron

[SV Papillon]

Called Hampijan in seattle yesterday and they said they have no current rep for the PNW as they don't sell direct closest one is San Diego or arizona. Brion want to be there rep???

[Bott]

Originally Posted by SV Papillon

Called Hampijan in seattle yesterday and they said they have no current rep for the PNW as they don't sell direct closest one is San Diego or arizona. Brion want to be there rep???

I ordered mine from Colligo Marine through Fisheries Supply. It just took a little while (~a week) to get it shipped up.

Food for thought.
-eric

[Brion Toss]

Hello all,
I just returned from the Annapolis show, where I had the great pleasure of working with the folks at Southbound Cruising, giving talks for the show, and not incidentally spending a bit of time aboard that Westsail. Southbound is, without a doubt, one of the best outfits I've seen. Great hosts, too. Have I been too effusive yet? No? Then I'll also mention that they have nifty green polo shirts.
Re the chainplates, build to Skene's or L&A specs, and you'll be fine. Not crazy about the square holes, but it is less of a problem with bronze than with stainless, and it is easy to relieve the corners with a chainsaw file.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[blahman]

Brion and others,

I know of (but do not own) Norman Skene's book, but do not know of what you're speaking when refering to "L&A's" specs. Could you be a bit more specific?

Thank you for your time!
Aaron N.

[Jack]

Blahman

Here are a few links to most recent stuff. (as in just this past week)

http://www.madmariner.com/node/37560/print

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/09/...opes/index.htm

Give me a few minutes and I will have photos of the Westsail on my photobucket URL below.....along with a few candid shots of Brion maybe....:-)