Sourcing Metric Screws

[iprone]

I've been preparing to assemble the frames and have been reviewing posts to understand what others have done. I believe I've pieced together most details, but I'm still hung up on the screws. Specifically, sourcing the proper metric screw sizes from the United States. Has anyone had luck doing so? It sounds like longer screws are acceptable in the build, if I can't find 4x30mm and 5x50mm stainless screws, but that I may run into a scenario where I'll have to grind the ends of the screws off where they poke through.

Thanks in advance,

Kevin

[timeandtide]

It’s a pain to find them in the U.S. I found mine on eBay from vendors in the U.K. I got some from a vendor called Highland fasteners, the rest I pieced together from random vendors. I will say they were not cheap I think it was around $400 for all of them. The key thing to search for is;

A4 stainless 4 x 30 Chipboard screws
A4 stainless 5 x 50 Chipboard screws

Apparently that’s what they call em across the pond.

[captdan]

Hey Kevin,
Great to see that you are moving forward with the build !
4mm dia screw is a #8
5mm dia screw is a #10
If you convert the sizes, the imperial sizes are actually about 4-5 thousands of an inch larger, so you are good.

I will let you convert the lengths ...

One thing that I tried to ensure is that they were a 316 stainless screw. An 18-8 stainless is barely adequate.

Cheers,
Dan 

[iprone]

Thanks for all of the guidance that you both provided! I decided to go with Highland Fasteners on eBay. Captain Dan, I am planning to order the quantities that you detailed elsewhere (2500x of the shorter screw and 1000x of the longer screw). The total price comes out to $440 with currency conversion and international shipping. I sent a message to Highland Fasteners to see if they offer a volume discount above what they have listed on eBay and will update my post if they do.

[brucel]

Locally if you can pick up a selection of some shorter screws for things like the plywood butt blocks, screwing the 2nd lay of ply on the bottom on when gluing them together. Having some 50mm #8 screws are handy as well when you putting the panels as some times with curve of the boat having that extra 20mm means you can pull the panel in with the screws, once the epoxy is on I don't care if the screw pokes out the other side I just want the panel down, i can change the screw later or trim it.