Slate screws vs. Bolts on a GC

[The Turk]

Donny you peaked my curiosity when you mention bolts in place of slate screws. I can already for see some advantages, however I have not ever used this method. Having access to the nut would be an awesome advantage with bonded slates. I have worked in many rooms affected by seasonal movement. Do you use a lock washer by chance? Are you reseating the head of the bolt in the slate recess? I am guessing 1/4 20?

 

[realkingcobra]

Donny you peaked my curiosity when you mention bolts in place of slate screws. I can already for see some advantages, however I have not ever used this method. Having access to the nut would be an awesome advantage with bonded slates. I have worked in many rooms affected by seasonal movement. Do you use a lock washer by chance? Are you reseating the head of the bolt in the slate recess? I am guessing 1/4 20?

Machine headed bolt, 4"x1/4" by 20, nylock nuts, Diamond has switched all their 3 piece slate tables over to this system of bolting down the slates instead of using wood screws...because it's a much better system. The only drawback is how tight you can get the bolts because a mechanic not paying attention to how over tight they can get the bolt, will result in a broken slate if they don't know what they're doing. I've posted on this very subject a few years ago, as a better way of working on GC's that have the slate screw holes stripped out or so many screw holes that there's just nothing there to hold the screw.

Glen