Stainless spokes?

[AlanJ]

Hi All,
To be honest guys I have been toying with this one for some time. Starting at the beginning one of my passions is sailing and one of the things that come up needing to be replaced at around 10yr intervals is stainless rigging, it snaps without warning, if you are unlucky, if I remember, it age hardens and work hardens, now, I'm sure you can see where I am going, what about stainless spokes, are they subject to the same problems as yacht rigging? Question is, does anyone know the answer?
Take care All Alan.

[MZCountryRider]

My Moto Guzzis have stainless spokes and I've never had one snap, even though one is now 48 years old. They are straight pull type spokes, ones with a bend might be more likely to snap?

[AlanJ]

Hi,
I have never heard of that happening either, but on yachts that's not the case and it often happens, maybe the stresses are different. I know that stainless age hardens also so maybe spokes are a different stainless to yacht stainless.
Alan.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

ham radio antennas made from stainless some have worked some do not
a friend said its the type of stainless

had one antenna would not work till we replaced the stainless wire with copper
yet i have a dipole we use at field day that is stainless and it has worked fine for years
dave

[breakwellmz]

There are various grades of stainless steel with qualities dependent on their use, some are more/less corrosion resistant/ductile/stronger than others.

[AlanJ]

Hi,
To be honest I thought that might be the case, and I could have asked a wheel building company instead of just letting my thoughts wander around a bit. I know it is said, to check good stainless, then try a magnet against it, as it is non magnetic it gives one a good indication. It certainly doesn't give any indication of ductility etc, it only tells you it wont go rusty. I don't know, I'm beginning to regret starting this one so.
Take care All Alan.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

the only bad question ...is the one not asked because it does not make people THINK

after this people may know why there new homemade digital TV antenna is not working

they made it from used stainless motor cycle spokes

[AlanJ]

Hi Dave,
Nice one.
Alan.

[tigcraft]

On a different subject as opposed to spokes work out what grade of Stainless you need then buy Stainless welding rods in the thickness and grade you need as that will work out very cost effective.

[Guesi]

As it was said already, it depends on the quality of the material.
You can buy spokes made in China or India.
After many bad experiences with these spokes (for example the surface colour turn into a kind of yellow after a short time in use)
I only sell spokes made in germany (WWS is a well known company in Germany). Their sign is a four-leaf clover on each spoke.
No problem with these spokes yet....

[tigcraft]

That's handy information to know about quality spokes.

[silver]

I made up spoked wheels for the XBR. The front I did first with good quality stainless from Central wheels. The back I thought I would shop around for something cheaper and bought some from a german seller on ebay. A while later I spotted 5 had broken. I then respoked using the expensive central wheel spokes. all ok now.
Lesson learned.

[AlanJ]

Hi All,
From what has been posted here, it does appear I might have been right in my thoughts about stainless spokes, ie. If you buy cheep stainless you might be entering into a dangerous area, as I have said before, you pays your money and you take the chance.
Take care All Alan.