Stainless steel rod 3mm x 10mm

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shk292

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#289140 15-Aug-2021 17:18

As per title, I have a need for a short length of 3mm stainless (must be stainless) rod. Only place I can find it on the web is AliExpress, and while that is an option I'd rather have quicker delivery and buy less than their minimum quantity

Anyone know where I could source this from? Some of the stuff on Ali is for RC aircraft - any modelers on here who might have some surplus?

Happy to pay postage and reasonable price or a donation to charity of choice

Thanks in advance

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#2760283 15-Aug-2021 17:30

Tried a local engineering shop?

aaristotle

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#2760302 15-Aug-2021 17:44

What about cutting down a 3mm stainless bolt/screw that is only partially threaded, and use the unthreaded part?

sparkz25

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#2760308 15-Aug-2021 18:10

What about a bit of 3mm stainless filler wire?

shk292

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#2760344 15-Aug-2021 20:39

Thanks for the ideas - I'll investigate tomorrow. I think an engineering supplies shop would probably have it, but their websites aren't great

Bung

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#2760368 15-Aug-2021 23:10

Anzor have 3mmx10mm 316 dowel pins. https://www.anzor.co.nz/retainers-and-clips/dowel-pins

For a small number aaristotle's suggestion seems workable.

Scott3

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#2760369 15-Aug-2021 23:16

Is 3.18mm Close enough? (1/8"). If so:

https://steelandtube.co.nz/catalogues/stainless-steel-catalogue-%E2%80%93-plate-round-bar

https://www.themetalcompany.co.nz/shop/long-lengths/imperial-round-bar/

afe66

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#2760405 16-Aug-2021 09:39

Try trademe specifically Wakefield metals. There are a large supplier and quite slick courier setup.

I've bought from them several times.

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eracode

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#2760479 16-Aug-2021 10:30

@shk292 Curious to know what you are doing with it - such a small piece.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

shk292

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#2760640 16-Aug-2021 12:42

eracode:
@shk292 Curious to know what you are doing with it - such a small piece.

It's to fit into a joining piece that connects the fibreglass sections of a sail batten. Unfortunately one escaped last time I dismantled the batten and the temporary replacement I used had rusted
Ideally I'll make up a few spares and keep them handy but they're only 10mm long

shk292

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#2760643 16-Aug-2021 12:43

Scott3:
Is 3.18mm Close enough? (1/8"). If so:

https://steelandtube.co.nz/catalogues/stainless-steel-catalogue-%E2%80%93-plate-round-bar

https://www.themetalcompany.co.nz/shop/long-lengths/imperial-round-bar/

Thanks I'd found that but would need to drill out the holes it fits into and would rather not do that if I can avoid it

eracode

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#2761227 17-Aug-2021 04:01

shk292:

It's to fit into a joining piece that connects the fibreglass sections of a sail batten. Unfortunately one escaped last time I dismantled the batten and the temporary replacement I used had rusted
Ideally I'll make up a few spares and keep them handy but they're only 10mm long

I know you said ‘must be stainless’ - but is that because ordinary steel rusts? Could it be something like brass, copper, aluminium or nylon rod. If that’s the case, it could give you more choice of where to buy - the sort of stuff sold by model shops.

Edit: How about this? 1/8-inch = 3.175 mm. If it’s too tight, put a piece in your drill chuck and reduce the diameter lathe-like with a touch of a flat file or emery cloth. Brass is easy to work with.

https://mrmodels.co.nz/product/k-s-metal-brass-solid-rod-1-8-11-164/

Or these, with the head cut off:

https://www.hiq.co.nz/products/category/PNS3-m3

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Bung

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#2761237 17-Aug-2021 07:52

Is this the application?
https://www.lindemann-kg.de/en/products/2/Segellatten/TRAFLEX/Steckverbinder%20f%C3%BCr%20Rundst%C3%A4be

eracode

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#2761254 17-Aug-2021 09:02

This Kiwi company makes solid fibreglass rod including 3mm.

https://www.gracolcomposites.co.nz/pultruded-fibreglass-products

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Fred99

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#2761418 17-Aug-2021 13:49

Marine chandlery should stock "gripper clips" made in 3mm diameter 316. Length of the folded clip on a site I looked at was 68mm, so allowing for a bit of loss from cutting etc, you'd be able to cut 5 x 10mm lengths from the straight shank of one clip (about $7).

I'm guessing that the ends are going to have to be rounded off and smooth after cutting, so they don't chafe the batten pockets in the sail, so use a drill and file, then some polishing with some wet and dry paper should do the trick.

Edit: was just in the workshop and looked at some pop rivets, all the 4.8mm SS ones I have (different lengths), the mandrel measures exactly 3mm. So you'd probably be able to cut 4 or 5 pins from one pop rivet mandel. The mandrels on SS blind rivets are stainless - you can tap them out from the rivets fairly easily.

afe66

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#2761462 17-Aug-2021 14:59

Putting the small rods in your drill and rotating them will make it easier to smooth the cut surface with metal file and sandpaper

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