At 1:24 PM -0500 03/04/01,
ivancu@... wrote:
>In a message dated 3/4/01 10:18:56 AM, bigd@... writes:
>
><< Anyone know a good source for standard rack screws ? >>
>
>http://www.middleatlantic.com/rackac/hardware/hrdwr1.htm
>
>Middle Atlantic Audio. You can buy the sets of their black screws with
>nylon washers at Guitar Center and pro audio stores. These are
>>high-quality screws and washers.
I think I have a bunch of those. I also have a bunch of screws that came
with various racks from various manufactures including Mid Atlantic...
They all suck.
They suck because they are all made out of aluminum. Aluminum is soft.
The racks rails are steel. So you have a soft dissimilar metal with a
large weight hanging at 90 degree angle to the rotation of the threads.
When you go to unscrew them, their heads snap right off. I must have had a
dozen aluminum rack screws break over the years, forcing me to use a drill,
extractor, vise grips, or some other tool to get them out.
If the slots in the Phillips head look a little worn, I immediately throw
the screw out and replace it with a new screw. I do this knowing that this
new screw will eventually go bad and need to be replaced with an even newer
screw. One bastard goes in and another one comes out.
The only decent rack screws I have came with my Aphex Dominator II --
they're brass. If I decide to sell the Dominator, I'm keeping the screws :)