Stupid question: Carriage bolts

Black Matrix

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I was thinking of getting some carriage bolts for my many Dynamo cabs. I'm tired of looking at rusted ones. Does anyone know what size of carriage bolts the Dynamo HS-1 and HS-5 cabs use to hold joysticks in. Thanks in advance.
 
One issue you're likely to run into with new carriage bolts is the raised grade markings on the head, where the originals were smooth.

In my opinion this looks bad, so whenever I need a replacement carriage bolt and I'm forced to buy a new one, I chuck it in a drill and using a file and foam sanding block, I grind off the raised markings and then either clear coat or paint the head black.

Since you already have carriage bolts, it's easy enough to use the same technique on them, just without the file.

After sanding, use an awl and punch a line of holes about an inch apart in some thick cardboard, screw the bolts into the holes and spray paint them. You'll find after using the same cardboard several times, the holes will almost become threaded and reinforced by the paint :)

One last tip- you can also prepare the bolt and use a version of gun bluing, or black oxide to tint them closer to the original factory treatment. It's a little more work and requires some buffing of the end result.
 
I was thinking of picking some up off of Bob Roberts. I was mainly looking for a size since there seems to be many. But thanks for the advice as I may have to go that route.
 
I was thinking of picking some up off of Bob Roberts. I was mainly looking for a size since there seems to be many. But thanks for the advice as I may have to go that route.


Just paint them, its faster than shipping and cheaper, get some 99 cent rustoleum black spray paint and sand the tops lightly and stick them in foam or somthing to make them stand up and spray 2 coats and its done
 
Why paint? polished steel looks just fine to me. I redid some today for a cosktail with some rusted and half-painted ones. Just stick them into a drill, cup some sandpaper in your hand, stick the head into the sandpaper, and pull the drill trigger. After about 15-20 seconds you'll have a nice polished bolt head. Then you can paint it if you want...
 
I will either polish and clearcoat, or clean and powdercoat mine. Depends on what color material they are sitting in.

I definatley agree about filing off the grade markings though.
 
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