23 replies to this topic

[Kmonski]

 Anyone know where i can buy some high quality wheel nuts, such as titanium or high tense aluminium? Sick of the chrome plated ones turning all nasty looking, i could go stainless but i do not want shiny nuts.

 

With titanium or high tense aluminium they can be anodized to what ever colour, because i am under the impression you can not anodize stainless. And for obvious reasons i am not painting them 

 

I have found a supplier who does all this, but they do not do UNF nuts, which is annoying!

 

My dad said he could machine me some titanium nuts up but it would cost an arm, kidney and various other body parts.

Edited by Kmonski, 25 February 2014 - 04:53 PM.

[Gremlin]

 Anyone know where i can buy some high quality wheel nuts, such as titanium or high tense aluminium? Sick of the chrome plated ones turning all nasty looking, i could go stainless but i do not want shiny nuts.
 
With titanium or high tense aluminium they can be anodized to what ever colour, because i am under the impression you can not anodize stainless. And for obvious reasons i am not painting them 
 
I have found a supplier who does all this, but they do not do UNF nuts, which is annoying!
 
My dad said he could machine me some titanium nuts up but it would cost an arm, kidney and various other body parts.

You day you've found a supplier that can do it apart from the UNF thread, why not ask if they can give you 16 nuts with a pilot hole in the you can drill out to the required size an tap?

[mad mk1]

You would have lots of fun tapping out 16 G5 Ti wheel nuts what wheels have you got?

Edited by mad mk1, 25 February 2014 - 05:18 PM.

[Kmonski]

 

You day you've found a supplier that can do it apart from the UNF thread, why not ask if they can give you 16 nuts with a pilot hole in the you can drill out to the required size an tap?

 

 

Didn't think of that. I guess it wont hurt to ask.

 

Cheers

[Kmonski]

You would have lots of fun tapping out 16 G5 Ti wheel nuts what wheels have you got?

 

 

My dad is currently making drop links out of titanium for Jaguar XK's. That stuff is pretty damn solid and expensive!

 

As for wheels i have 7x13 superlights softlines, but i have painted the centre's body colour and the rims black.

[mad mk1]

Yes I know I have played with it a lot, I have found that it don't like getting taped much.

I am not sure what them wheel nuts look like, But I may have some Ti wheel nuts coming soon that's the same as the mini life nut.

[Gremlin]

Yes I know I have played with it a lot, I have found that it don't like getting taped much.

I am not sure what them wheel nuts look like, But I may have some Ti wheel nuts coming soon that's the same as the mini life nut.

Why does the tape not stick to it? Hehe

[Tamworthbay]

We use Ti nuts and bolts on our race cars. A single standard materic nut and bolt can come in at £8. Something bespoke like a UNF wheel nut could be £20 at a guess. That will add to an awful lot for 16! Some cars use ally wheel nuts (my old 944 turbo did) but they corrode worse than steel. Even anodising doesn't protect them for the winter salt for long.

[mad mk1]

This iPad is killing me !!

You know what I mean lol.

[Kmonski]

Right'o! Cheers for the info.

 

I will do exactly what Gremlin has suggested and if that is possible, i will do just that. I will update this thread tomorrow when i have spoken with the supplier.

[mad mk1]

I don't think it's a good idea my self, as it will blunt the tap fast!

Ok just a quick look on google came up with this.

Tapping titanium alloys such as titanium 6Al4V is more difficult than tapping most alloyed materials, but certainly doable with appropriate taps and techniques. Titanium is both strong and lightweight, making it a very appealing metal for applications in aerospace, medical and other industries. However, the unusual properties of titanium make it challenging for manufacturing engineers who are planning machining processes for components in this material.

For example, titanium does not conduct heat well. When machining titanium, heat tends to build up on the faces and edges of cutting tools instead of dissipating through the part and machine structure. This is particularly true when tapping because there is more contact between the interior surface of the hole and the tap than there is between a workpiece and a drill, end mill or other tool. This retained heat can result in chipped cutting edges and reduced tap life. Also, titaniums fairly low modulus of elasticity gives it springiness, so the workpiece tends to close in on the tap. This effect causes galling and tearing of the threads. It also increases torque on the tap and shortens its life.

Edited by mad mk1, 25 February 2014 - 06:52 PM.

[Kmonski]

Hoping it will be okay, the taps we have at work should be able to manage it. Dad was doing some tapping as i was leaving work today and it wasn't a problem. I guess it depends on the material of the tapping gear. We do use aid from a lathe though. Doing it by hand i can imagine is an ass! 

 

Edit -   ABR drop link.jpg   54.36K   43 downloads

 

This is the kind of thing he was doing, 

 

Its a chrome molybdenum rose joint, hardened bearings with kevlar seals, titanium joiners and spacers, with polyurethane bushes.

 

 

 

Edited by Kmonski, 25 February 2014 - 07:11 PM.

[Artful Dodger]

you are going to have a seriously hard time.

[Artful Dodger]

oh and by the looks of it your dad hasnt acutally tapped any of those drop links.  

[Tamworthbay]

oh and by the looks of it your dad hasnt acutally tapped any of those drop links.

Looks like there is a Ti joiner between the rod ends, this would need to be tapped (or turned and threaded depending on whether the rod ends were male or female, they look female to me)