Where to buy LF foil hardware??

DavidT · Since 30 Oct 2010 17 Posts Vancouver, BC, Canada

Does anyone have any idea where I might be able to find the bolts that LF uses for their foil set-ups? I just need a spare bolt or two so I'm hoping to find a supplier rather than forking over the $30US for the full hardware replacement from LF.
Thanks!

Matt V · Tue May 16, 17 5:28 am

$30 is not that much for the whole kit if it includes the plastic transition plate (if you use it). I spent like $25 just ordering minimum quantities of bolts from Fastenal. But here you go.

Take your existing hardware into Fastenal, or a local nut & bolt store. They are metric, so it could be a special order in lower population areas. You WANT stainless. But in an emergency, zinc plated works fine in fresh water.

You could also get some tee-nuts. If they only have the pronged ones, then you will have to cut those prongs off. Brad hole is the better choice, though you could need a special wrench for them or have to grind a gripping surface on the edges. Again, for an emergency, these do not need to be stainless. I will bet you a dollar you cannot locally source stainless, brad hole, M8 tee-nuts. Valid on first to present only.

I went so far as to get a whole set of standard thread hardware as a backup too - just in case I was in BFE some time and lost a whole bag of metrics or something. If you go this route, remember the counter sink angle is different on metrics versus standards so it may look a little funny on the top of your board.

Also get some LanoCote to put on the threads to stop corrosion. LanoCote is not as high tech as TefGel, but it does the job with lots less visible mess. From your pics, it looks like you are using "anti-seize". That works, but I think LanoCote is better on stainless surfaces.

Ho-Toe · Tue May 16, 17 6:24 am **crackmaster**

If you aren't near a fastenal, and don't mind paying a little extra for shipping, and you know what size & thread your hardware is, you can order it from McMaster-Carr (mcmaster.com). Get 316 stainless. It the most corrosion-resistant stainless alloy that's commonly available.

And I second what Matt says about Lano-cote. It smells like mutton (it's made of lanolin and beeswax), but it works better than anything I've found for preventing galling.

wylieflyote · Tue May 16, 17 6:50 am

Where are you located? Tacoma Screw always has everything. And you can purchase as few items as you need.
http://www.tacomascrew.com/locations

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1487 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Try your local hardware store. A decent store will have a whole section of drawers filled with assortment of nuts and bolts.
Take your foil with you to insure the bolts are the correct size and thread pattern.
Make sure the bolts screw in all the way - if you have the wrong size thread they'll screw in for a few turns and then get tight.
The correct size bolt will easily screw in all the way.
I spent $12 for 6 of these type bolts.
Make sure you buy stainless steel bolts.

wylieflyote · Tue May 16, 17 7:17 am **Re: crackmaster**

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2088 Posts PNW Bigfoot

Chipotle · Since 26 Mar 2011 70 Posts

They're all M8x1.25 in varying lengths. Basic countersunk SS fasteners. Most small local hardware stores however will not have stainless metric machine screws, but I've found them on McMaster and I'm sure larger stores would have them.

Ho-Toe · Tue May 16, 17 8:33 am **mutton, honey**

Wiley wrote: "Smells like mutton"

A former coworker waterproofed his leather workboots with Lanocote. When he walked thru the meal line later that day, everybody thought we were having freezer-burned mutton for dinner... Very Happy

Re: local hardware store stainless, if you are going to be riding in salt, be careful--usually the local hardware shops don't stock 316 stainless. It's usually a less corrosion-resistant (and cheaper and Chinese) alloy.

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

I bought a used zeeko foil for my paipo and have similar interests.
On the Tee nuts front, I searched a bit but was impatient so followed Jim Stringfellow's advice and went with standard 1/4-20 brad hole tee nuts I luckily found at a big box store.
After mounting the foil to 5/16" holes I secured nuts to deck with epoxy globs.
Next day removed foil and reinserted vaseline coated screws, then dripped some epoxy into the overbored holes from bottom. A little masking tape on the nonengaged screw shafts and board bottom saves mess etc.

So now i have to use 3 metric hex keys and one std one to assemble.
Ultimately would love to switch to m8 bolts for plate and source screws to allow one or two tool assembly. It's a dream that may never be realized though...

DavidT · Since 30 Oct 2010 17 Posts Vancouver, BC, Canada

Wow, thanks for all the answers! Thanks for the tip about Lanocote and the actual bolt size. I've downloaded DEEZ NUTZ so I can jam on the way to the hardware store 😆
Cheers everyone