Grub/Set Screws as pole pieces

peskywinnets · 11-20-2009, 02:32 PM

I need to order some grub screws for my Sustainer coils ....they're available in two finishes that suits my needs....

Zinc coated steel
Stainless steel.

Now I'm pretty sure I have some zinc coated steel screws in my screw drawer that aren't magnetic in the slightest (there again I could be wrong - they might not be steel inside, but they are bright/shiny!), so can aynone say that if steel is given a zinc coating that it loses some/all magnetism?

Of the two types above, which would be the most magnetic?

jonson · 11-20-2009, 05:24 PM

If your screws Pesky have no magnetic properties at all then they are stainless. Not all stainless is nonmagnetic but most commercial stainless screws are. Never found zinc plate to stop any properties at all as I use a lot in another field and a dropped box of them is quickly picked up with a big magnet.

David Schwab · 11-20-2009, 07:11 PM

The zinc plated steel is the one to use.

David King · 11-21-2009, 01:03 AM

Zinc is fine unless you want to anneal them indoors over a torch. The zinc fumes are very toxic so do that out of doors.

Possum · 11-21-2009, 02:12 AM

You can remove zinc plating quickly with muriatic acid, I do this all the time....

peskywinnets · 11-21-2009, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Possum

You can remove zinc plating quickly with muriatic acid, I do this all the time....

Thanks to you all for replying.

I've no issues with the zinc plating *unless* it impedes the underlying magnetic qualities of the grub screw.

jonson · 11-21-2009, 04:06 PM

Here in the uk and probably everywhere else they should be available chemically blacked as well. I know unbrako's range is huge. We call, as you may know Muriatic acid/ Hydrochloric over here in the uk and that you can get a small quantity from your local plater. You can also do your own blacking by heating them in a wire basket till they are cherry red and dunking them straight away in some real black dirty sump oil. That has no effect magnetically whatsoever.

David Schwab · 11-21-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonson

Here in the uk and probably everywhere else they should be available chemically blacked as well.

I have a box of the black set screws I'm using on a project. It's the same type of screw that DiMarzio uses.

11-20-2009, 02:32 PM	#1
peskywinnets Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: London, UK Posts: 85	Grub/Set Screws as pole pieces - which is the most magnetic? I need to order some grub screws for my Sustainer coils ....they're available in two finishes that suits my needs.... Zinc coated steel Stainless steel. Now I'm pretty sure I have some zinc coated steel screws in my screw drawer that aren't magnetic in the slightest (there again I could be wrong - they might not be steel inside, but they are bright/shiny!), so can aynone say that if steel is given a zinc coating that it loses some/all magnetism? Of the two types above, which would be the most magnetic?

11-20-2009, 07:11 PM	#3
David Schwab Pickup Maker Join Date: May 2006 Location: Montclair, NJ Posts: 5,611	The zinc plated steel is the one to use. __________________ Those who create are rare; those who cannot are numerous. Therefore, the latter are stronger. - Coco Chanel www.sgd-lutherie.com www.myspace.com/sgdlutherie www.myspace.com/davidschwab

11-21-2009, 02:12 AM	#5
Possum Old Timer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Planet Mongo in the country of PAF Posts: 3,135	.... You can remove zinc plating quickly with muriatic acid, I do this all the time.... __________________ http://www.SDpickups.com Stephens Design Pickups

11-21-2009, 04:06 PM	#7
jonson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 484	Here in the uk and probably everywhere else they should be available chemically blacked as well. I know unbrako's range is huge. We call, as you may know Muriatic acid/ Hydrochloric over here in the uk and that you can get a small quantity from your local plater. You can also do your own blacking by heating them in a wire basket till they are cherry red and dunking them straight away in some real black dirty sump oil. That has no effect magnetically whatsoever. Last edited by jonson; 11-21-2009 at 04:11 PM. Reason: hadn't finished when it zoomed off. must be hitting wrong keys in me old age.

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11-20-2009, 05:24 PM	#2
jonson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 484	If your screws Pesky have no magnetic properties at all then they are stainless. Not all stainless is nonmagnetic but most commercial stainless screws are. Never found zinc plate to stop any properties at all as I use a lot in another field and a dropped box of them is quickly picked up with a big magnet.

11-21-2009, 01:03 AM	#4
David King Old Timer Join Date: May 2006 Location: PDX Posts: 1,264	Zinc is fine unless you want to anneal them indoors over a torch. The zinc fumes are very toxic so do that out of doors.

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