Converting to and Fabricating Bronze Chainplates/Tangs

[blahman]

All,

I spoke with Pete out at PTF today and he assisted me in understanding the alloys. Basically, the cast alloys with high corrosion resistance are fine choices for chainplates, so aluminum bronze, aluminum nickle bronze; things in the C95XXX range. The trouble with these bronzes is that they are very hard, inelastic, strong metals, so working with them is trouble. Fabricating using silicon or manganese (wrought) bronze is much easier for its elasticity and bendability; it can be cold worked.


Most of PTFs castings are C955 or C954, aluminum nickle bronze or aluminum bronze. If they are going to be working a piece, they cast it of silicon bronze to enable easier working.


So the 3/8" aluminum bronze stock will work great, the trouble will be bending it. It can't just be put in a hydraulic press as it'll crack or shear; it has to be heated. I didn't ask him about the procedure for heating and working with the metal as that's his trade! I'm going to dig on the internet to see what I can learn and then decide whether or not I'll by the stock and make the chainplates.


Chainplates from PTF would be $180/ea, plus $100 for bending, plus $150 or drilling. Boomkin and bowsprit whisker tangs would be $90/ea. So I'm going to check into working the metal myself and doing it for $300 total as my pockets just can't support that now and I don't want to keep sailing on cracked chainplates!

Anyone have knowledge of working with the cast alloys?

Thank you all for your time!
Aaron N.

[Andy Schell]

Hi all,

I'm specifically interested in bronze chainplates as well. I have a '66 Allied Seabreeze yawl with inboard chainplates mounted on the bulkheads, which I plan on replacing with bronze, on the outside of the hull. Incidentally, I'm already in the process of re-rigging with Dynex Dux as well, having installed twin backstays to replace the original split stay. The stuff is awesome, incredibly easy to splice, and the deadeyes / lashings look rather dandy on my old yawl, as they did on the Westsail in Annapolis. I actually spliced both backstays in the cockpit while we motored down the ICW just last week, installing the stays dockside.

Anyway, I found another source for DIY bronze. Atlas Metals, based in CO, supplies all sorts of metals, including silicon bronze, that comes in convenient 2" wide x 1/4" thick strapping, sold by the 6' length. Saw their ad in Wooden Boat magazine, and talked with them on the phone, just out of curiosity. Not sure yet what my solution will be, but they seem like a good lead. Google them. Also, anyone considering the Dynex Dux with questions can feel free to contact me for personal details of how the re-rig is going on 'Arcturus.'

Cheers,
Andy
www.fathersonsailing.com

[Jack]

Andy, I have to smile at how stoked you are. I swear, I feel like street corner preacher sometimes.....I mean it is hard to get your arms around how cool/fun/great/amazing...well you get the idea...:-)

Glad to hear you have become a user and believer in Dynex Dux. It will certainly mess with your head

[blahman]

To update you all,

I went ahead and purchased the aluminum bronze stock to fabricate my own chainplates. Total cost for the material was $280, so we'll see how it goes. The metal will be here this Monday, and I'll give feedback and photos on how it goes.

Any last minute advice on drilling or working with it? C954.

Cheers!
Aaron N.

[blahman]

Hey all,

Just wanted to let you know that I wound up using the 3/8" Aluminum Bronze to fabricate my chainplates and it was a breeze. Took maybe four or five hours to do all ten, including polishing. The material is very strong and makes the boat look much better, I think!

You can see all the photos of our ongoing renovation at:

Deck Renovation/Rerigging



Thanks for your help!
Aaron N.