Brass L Brackets

Discussion in 'Materials' started by Mholmes3038, Sep 25, 2022.

  1. Mholmes3038
    Joined: Sep 2022
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    Location: Chicago

    Mholmes3038 Junior Member

    I'm not sure if this has been discussed before or not but can you use brass hardware to safely connect parts of a boat together? I'm a hobbyist wood worker and I often use l brackets and other metal hardware with screws to do certain things. Most of the boats Ive see are all glue and stich projects. Huge fan of glue and stich but wondered if you can safely use combination of metal hardware with wood without loosing strength.
     
  2. Blueknarr
    Joined: Aug 2017
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    Location: Colorado

    Blueknarr Senior Member

    DIY hardware store brass brackets and screws would not last five years of marine exposure.
     
  3. wet feet
    Joined: Nov 2004
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    Location: East Anglia,England

    wet feet Senior Member

    Brass isn't considered a good choice for boat use as the constituents (copper and zinc) are a bit too far apart with respect to voltage potential and electrolytic action sees the zinc erode.Which is the main reason that zinc is chosen for sacrificial anodes.For a boat used exclusively in fresh water you can use brass screws for holding the furniture together,but in the more conductive salt water environment it won't last too long-as has been posted.
     
  4. fallguy
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    fallguy Senior Member

    Each metal has ratings for physical properties. No matter the metal choice; the process is the same. The forces must be calculated to determine the strength needed for each connection.
     

  5. jehardiman
    Joined: Aug 2004
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    Location: Port Orchard, Washington, USA

    jehardiman Senior Member

    The simple answer is both yes you can, and no you shouldn't, and definitely not with brass. FWIW, the first "composite" vessels in the 1840's and 50's had wrought iron floors, knees, and strapping to support the loads on the longer narrower clipper ship hulls. By the 1880's, many wooden yachts had moved to cast or rolled bronze for these high load members because of the weight and volume savings...a trend that continues today in modern ultra-large yachts with bronze and monel structural reinforcement. However, the introduction of plywood and hot/cold molded hulls rendered the structural necessity of metal reinforcements unnecessary for smaller wooden vessels. This is because their raison d'ĂȘtre, holding the planks together, disappeared with glued monocoque hulls. Larger wooden hulls still benefit, space and weight wise, by the judicious use of metal structural reinforcement....but never brass for the reason stated.
     
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