Strut hardware for outside use

[Simpuller]

I've been to several suppliers recently looking for galvanized strut washers and strut nuts and all anyone near me carries is zinc even though they all carry pregal strut.
I'm going to mail order what I need, but I want to ask...do people regularly mix in zinc hardware when using strut outside?
Kind of puzzling.

 

[ramsy]

all anyone near me carries is zinc

Whats wrong with painting zinc, or anodized strut?

 

[infinity]

Kindorf Galv-krom finish is also on their hardware and is supposed to be more corrosion resistive than Galvanized.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://assets.usesi.com/product-media/catalogs/USESI_265103_catalog.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwia3MXzvLONAxUoE1kFHXw-Km4QFnoECCYQAQ&usg=AOvVaw30Q2-d1Qt0aaIANVWgFnQY

 

[LarryFine]

I have always thought that galvanizing was zinc.

 

[herding_cats]

UniStrut has a line of fiberglass strut components. Kind of expensive. Spray the galv with brake cleaner before painting. It will etch it and degrease it for paint prep.

 

[suemarkp]

I have always thought that galvanizing was zinc.

I think there are 2 levels of zinc. Regular bolts may be zinc plated. But ones intended for outside use have a much heavier zinc plating (maybe dipped). So seeing zinc in the description doesn't help much.

 

[herding_cats]

Yeah thats right. Galv and zinc dipped are different. Does the OP just not like the look of galv or zinc?

 

[Simpuller]

True, it's all zinc, but zinc electro plating is definitely not intended for outdoor use like hot dipped or pre-gal.

 

[letgomywago]

On the coast we go stainless strut, aluminum straps, and stainless nuts and bolts. It's not as bad honestly as it could be. Be carefull with your accessories and get throw away blades for the bandsaw.

 

[roger]

On the coast we go stainless strut, aluminum straps, and stainless nuts and bolts. It's not as bad honestly as it could be. Be carefull with your accessories and get throw away blades for the bandsaw.

I agree, as well as in corrosive industrial installations. We used stainless straps too, the aluminum oxidizes pretty quick.

 

[going_commando]

I just use the yellow zinc strut washers. Sure they will rust, but so will everything else. I use those with grade 8 yellow zinc hardware. After 10 years outdoors, at least here, the galvy strut is going to be rusty, the straps will be rusty, the strap hardware will be rusty, so it all blends together anyway.

 

[kwired]

On the coast we go stainless strut, aluminum straps, and stainless nuts and bolts. It's not as bad honestly as it could be. Be carefull with your accessories and get throw away blades for the bandsaw.

Are there people out there that sharpen band saw blades? Especially fine tooth blades for metal cutting?

 

[letgomywago]

Are there people out there that sharpen band saw blades? Especially fine tooth blades for metal cutting?

Idk but they've gotten better over the years or the Stainless is softer now. Sawzall use a carbide tipped one but I just use a normal Milwaukee band saw blade.