Forums > Technical Discussion > titanium screws

Posted: 3rd Aug 2002
Titanium, desirable for its strength and lightness, is probably considered too expensive for most general applications. I suggest trying specialist shops where lightness is important, and people are prepared to pay for quality.

Shops that specialise in racing (motorbikes/cars?), possibly mountain/racing pedal bikes, sailing, climbing, or even those shops that just sell fasteners.

Is there a reason why you can't use normal screws?

If we as members of the human race practice meditation, we can transcend our fear, despair, and forgetfulness. Meditation is not an escape. It is the courage to look at reality with mindfulness and concentration. Thich Nhat Hanh

Posted: 4th Aug 2002
Titanium parts are not common at all. Most people who need titanium parts have them custom made, I know this as I am one of the people who makes them. If you need them you may have to find a machine shop around you that specializes in single spindle lathe work. It will be pricey, as you probobly only need what?, like four screws. It might be easier to have holes drilled on your staff and then have those tapped (threaded) so you can just use regular screws.

Jesus helps me trick people.

Posted: 5th Aug 2002
Titanium is very similar to aluminum and both have very low melting points compared to steel. I just looked at a reference that said the melting point is 1680 deg C which I think works out to 1082 deg F. I know that aluminum get soft at the temperature that soot burns which is about 600 degrees F. Most petroleum flames are in the 1300-1600 deg F range so I would be very wary about using titanium anywhere it would be in direct contact with flames.

Steel is cheap, easy to use and has good strength at high temperatures. Maybe you can get the light weight you are looking for by finding a thinner wall tube.

Good luck,

Bear

Posted: 6th Aug 2002
Cancel that stuff about the melting point of titanium. I did the C to F calculation wrong.

Titanium has a melting point of 3270 deg F, steel is 2500 deg F and aluminum is 1220 deg F. I'll stand by the caution to keep aluminum away from petrolem fires, but it looks like titanium is fine.

Bear

Posted: 5th Aug 2002
I would say that white gas and kero have to burn cooler than that. I have never put a thermometer in the flame but I have the nut and washer fastend on the eye bolt of my wicks with JB weld, an epoxy designed spicificly for metal. It looses it's strength and coheison at 600F and kero flames don't even phase it. Perhapse if you are spinning with gasoline or napalm........

And aluminum is fine to use for spinning. If you have an aluminum staff it will get way beyond 3rd degree burn hot before it will come anywhere close losing it's structural stability.

Jesus helps me trick people.

Posted: 5th Aug 2002
hey Pozee,

Titanium staff,
why?
will it make you spin better?

I've got a sudden urge to go and buy a broomstick

Glass