of everyday life or Olde World (read OCD) Craftsmanship.
Today I will place my last order on internal Devialet fasteners. These are for a few screws made from T304 stainless that I put off ordering, hoping I could find them in T316 SS or aluminum instead due to just an ever-so slight hint of magnetic attraction... about 90% less than plated nickel but there it is; my nemesis and it drives me nuts as I came so very very close to zero magnetism in fasteners. These screws can't be picked up even with a hi-strength Neodymium magnet but they can be jiggled & moved around slightly on a smooth surface with a Neo.
All new board stand-offs are aluminum. OEM standoffs are nickel-plated brass on 18mm stand-offs or 12mm nylon. Nickel is magnetic so it has to go. Nylon isn't magnetic but is over 800 times slower to shed heat than aluminum. Not a typo... "over 800 times!!" .25 W/mk for nylon compared to 205 W/mk for aluminum. In comparison brass is half as thermally conductive as aluminum 95 W/mk vs 205 W/mk.
In every case I had to give up Torx for either hex socket head, phillips or blade but EVERY part is unplated and non-magnetic save for those pesky 4 T304 screws. I came so close grrrr!
Once these last few parts are here my parts list is wiped out. Nothing new to order that I know of but there's always surprises. Aside from prep costs like stripping, anodizing etc I would've been done with this project for under $150 out-of-pocket then those fretfully spendy thermal pads reared their beautiful lil heads and I knew I couldn't live without em. But even now I'm looking at just at, under or slightly over $2k all-in. But won't break my heart if it eclipses $2.5k and sounds like a million bucks and runs cool as a cucumber... ok, ok tepid leftover pizza.
While Its not over I can't help but feel that all-in-all its been fairly easy with few surprises and none very worrisome or worse; insurmountable. Whereas I've had FAR simpler projects that were a constant and relentless PITA! If this continues along this path I'll have gotten off pretty easily all things considered. But don't wanna risk jinxing myself so a hearty knock-on-wood accompanies that last statement!
Today I will place my last order on internal Devialet fasteners. These are for a few screws made from T304 stainless that I put off ordering, hoping I could find them in T316 SS or aluminum instead due to just an ever-so slight hint of magnetic attraction... about 90% less than plated nickel but there it is; my nemesis and it drives me nuts as I came so very very close to zero magnetism in fasteners. These screws can't be picked up even with a hi-strength Neodymium magnet but they can be jiggled & moved around slightly on a smooth surface with a Neo.
All new board stand-offs are aluminum. OEM standoffs are nickel-plated brass on 18mm stand-offs or 12mm nylon. Nickel is magnetic so it has to go. Nylon isn't magnetic but is over 800 times slower to shed heat than aluminum. Not a typo... "over 800 times!!" .25 W/mk for nylon compared to 205 W/mk for aluminum. In comparison brass is half as thermally conductive as aluminum 95 W/mk vs 205 W/mk.
In every case I had to give up Torx for either hex socket head, phillips or blade but EVERY part is unplated and non-magnetic save for those pesky 4 T304 screws. I came so close grrrr!
Once these last few parts are here my parts list is wiped out. Nothing new to order that I know of but there's always surprises. Aside from prep costs like stripping, anodizing etc I would've been done with this project for under $150 out-of-pocket then those fretfully spendy thermal pads reared their beautiful lil heads and I knew I couldn't live without em. But even now I'm looking at just at, under or slightly over $2k all-in. But won't break my heart if it eclipses $2.5k and sounds like a million bucks and runs cool as a cucumber... ok, ok tepid leftover pizza.
While Its not over I can't help but feel that all-in-all its been fairly easy with few surprises and none very worrisome or worse; insurmountable. Whereas I've had FAR simpler projects that were a constant and relentless PITA! If this continues along this path I'll have gotten off pretty easily all things considered. But don't wanna risk jinxing myself so a hearty knock-on-wood accompanies that last statement!
Statements in my posts are opinion only, not to be construed as fact. Any projects I engage in are at my own risk! Their outcome cannot be assured and may result in success, small/no change or catastrophic failure. I encourage no one rely on anything I say or do as gospel and to realize your mileage may vary!