Fastslappy
Well-Known Member
yeah AL chemically reacts into the disks ,wheels & explosive shards go everywhere .
It's Not a pretty picture
It's Not a pretty picture
Take the bit and hold it next to what your drilling. Mark the bit with a sharpie. Make a dark ring around the bit or use a piece of tape. When you drill, stop at the mark. You won't damage anything.When you're drilling into the heatsinks do you make sure not to drill into any of the fins on the other side, or does it not matter?
Thanks
Drill press or hand drill?I notice a huge difference in cutting speed when using carbide tipped bits. When I tried using one of my normal drill bits (that I use mostly for wood), it took me forever to get through the metal. I think it's totally worth using carbide tipped bits, even for aluminum.
Yes, I do. If you don't and the bit goes through, it's very easy to break it when it hits the fin partially.When you're drilling into the heatsinks do you make sure not to drill into any of the fins on the other side, or does it not matter?
Thanks
Moreover ..Yes, I do. If you don't and the bit goes through, it's very easy to break it when it hits the fin partially.
Edit: Some M3 sized screws do not have markings on them .Best screws/washers for da job are made of austenitic Stainless Steel 18/8 aka 304 s.steel
(18% Cr -8% Ni )
A non-magnetic stainless steel with at least 7% nickel added.usually marked with " A2 "
Or screws marked " A4 " (316 s.steel ) Grade 316 is the standard molybdenum-bearing grade stainless steel, second in importance to 304 amongst the austenitic (non-magnetic) stainless steels. It is a surgical stainless steel. The molybdenum gives 316 better overall corrosion resistant properties than Grade 304, particularly higher resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride environments.
Avoid using Martensitic Stainless Steel screws ,as they are too hard and brittle.
They may -easily-destroy the tapped threads on Al and/or break ,if they are over-tighten .
Alloy 410 is a martensitic s. steel ,for example
Ferritic Stainless steel is magnetic and quite brittle also ,like the martensitic kind
Great info. You have to drill all the way through if you have 8mm base and no bottoming tap anyway I broke a tap or two this way so I felt it would be good to share.Moreover ..
You do not have to drill all the way through ..
To attach a Vero series COB or a CXA/CXB holder a depth of about 6-8 mm is enough .
Crucial thing is to use stainless steel (INOX / ROSTFREI ) screws/washers ,in
order to avoid galvanic corrosion of Al .
Avoid galvanized or plain carbon steel screws.
Edit: Some M3 sized screws do not have markings on them .
Then ask to see the package / carton of the screws.
Always go for the A2 or A4 kind .
F1 ,C1,C4 & C3 screws need extra caution ,when you tighten or untighten them ..
Aluminium screws are called " Ergal " or "Zicral " screws ( Al alloy 7075 ) and usually they are anodized with vivid colors .Great info. You have to drill all the way through if you have 8mm base and no bottoming tap anyway I broke a tap or two this way so I felt it would be good to share.
What do you think about aluminum screws?
I could get aluminum screws pretty well priced if I buy enough of them. Not much more expensive than stainless steel. But I've never used them. Would alu M3 be suitable for holders? Or M5 for the frame? Titanium is out of the way due to its price.Aluminium screws are called " Ergal " or "Zicral " screws ( Al alloy 7075 ) and usually they are anodized with vivid colors .
Not very easy to find the M3 size ( which is extra prone to breakage ).
Also ergal screws corrode pretty easy ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7075_aluminium_alloy
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Some more info about stainless steel I forgot to mention ....
Stainless steels are high-alloy steels. They have high corrosion resistance compared to other steels due to the presence of large amounts of chromium. Based on their crystalline structure, they are further divided into three types such as ferritic, austenitic, and martensitic steels. Another group of stainless steels are precipitation-hardened steels, a combination of martensitic and austenitic steels.Duplex steels are a combination of ferritic and austenitic steels, a structure which renders duplex steel stronger than both.
Ferritic – These steels contain less than 0.10% carbon and are magnetic. The fact that they can’t be hardened via heat treatment and don’t weld to a high standard limits the use of these metals somewhat, but they are still suitable for a wide range of applications.
Austenitic – This is the most common type of stainless steel, accounting for up to 70% of all stainless steel production. Its versatility is in large part down to the fact that it can be formed and welded with successful results.
Martensitic – This type of steel shares some characteristics with ferritic, but boasts higher levels of carbon, up to a full 1%. This means that they can be tempered and hardened and are thus highly useful in situations where the strength of the steel is more important than its resistance to corrosion.
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Another option but way expensive ,is to use Ti (Titanium )screws .
Titanium and aluminium won't pose galvanic corrosion issues .
But price of Ti screws are way high ...
my old 9 volt makita is the best and most powerful cordless drill I ever had, way better than the 16 volt craftsman, 18 volt ryobi, I wish I could get battery's for it!9.2 volts , my guess is your drill sucks
Personally ,I wouldn't use them ...I could get aluminum screws pretty well priced if I buy enough of them. Not much more expensive than stainless steel. But I've never used them. Would alu M3 be suitable for holders? Or M5 for the frame? Titanium is out of the way due to its price.
Heat issues ...(material gets soft )sds...and the nylon or pvc or poliamide screws?
Saludos
Press "pause " and think it over ...The risk of galvanic corrosion in a grow light is pretty low.
Galvanic corrosion maybe more common in aerospace & marine environments ...I understand your concern but really what's the worst that would happen the screw seizes in the sink?
and how long would that actually take in a tent ?
I could see the concern if we working on airplanes & boats
my room evacuates the air @ a good clip & humity is always low to med never high
I run cheap ass Mars 2 years in there with steel screws in the lowest quality AL sinks
I tore down the mars for parts , no corrosion at all lotta dust
just sayin
I don't need to press pause. I was a structural mechanic and corrosion control in the military. I wouldn't be worried about galvanic corrosion in a grow light. Galvanic corrosion is more of a problem with sea water and structures that sit in weather and get wet a lot. Soaking wet. There will be enough warmth from the cob to drive moisture from the threads.Heat issues ...(material gets soft )
&
Not able to withstand high torque (which is needed in order to ensure high contact pressure )
(elastic polymers all of them )
Press "pause " and think it over ...
A grow space is a pretty humid environment ...
With plenty of corrosive gasses ...
( Nitrate & ammonium based fertilisers do emit NOx & NH3 gases ...
Same goes with Sulphur ferts .... SOx gassing out .
Things get worse when organic fertilisers are used ,
as the microfauna and microflora activity results in excessive gassing ...)
Also ,depending on the actual aluminium alloy used for the heat sink ,
galvanic corrosion could be a serious issue in a grow light ....
Exposed aluminium does form a protective layer of Al oxide ...
But ...
Threads are very prone to galvanic corrosion ..
Al2O3 protective layer gets grinded by the screw threads ,not exposed to air ,with humidity trapped inside ...
..Ideal environment for galvanic corrosion ...
Now press "play " again ...
Here,in Greece ,usually amongst the bikers ,Titanium is also called Putanium .Titanium is out of the way due to its price.