A/C Grade Nuts

[Sirota]

Hi All, I have always, and will continue, to use AN bolts, but what about nuts? Is there any difference between an AN365 and a Nyloc that I can by at the hardware store?

Thanks for your insight,
Dave

[martymayes]

Aircraft hardware and other hardware that is marked specifiying compliance with a consensus standard is covered under the Fastener Quality Act which is a law requiring fastener products to meet advertised standards. If one can verify a nut meets the manufacturer's peformance standard, can certainly use it.

[nrpetersen]

Probably not from a strength standpoint, but the hardware nut will be zinc plated and the aircraft one will be cadmium for better corrosion resistance.

[RV8505]

It would probably not fail but.............. for peace of mind wouldn't it be better to pay a few more pennies for real aircraft hardware? Is it really worth the savings!!!??!?!? When I see non conforming hardware on a homebuilt aircraft it raises red flags.

I would use genuine aircraft hardware!

[steveinindy]

It would probably not fail but.............. for peace of mind wouldn't it be better to pay a few more pennies for real aircraft hardware? Is it really worth the savings!!!??!?!? When I see non conforming hardware on a homebuilt aircraft it raises red flags.

I would use genuine aircraft hardware!

Bingo. I mean I'll use non-certified glass panel technology (backed up by a set of certified steam gauges) but when it comes to the things that keep the wings, tail and other parts where they belong, I tend to be a stickler because the idea of having a couple of minutes prior to impact after an in-flight breakup to contemplate whether it was worth saving the cash on non-standard parts is not high on my list of things I want to do.

[Dana]

In my experience, real aircraft hardware doesn't cost any more than hardware store stuff. Why take the chance?