A: Silver plating is an alternative to using a thread lubricant. The silver plating prevents bolt threads from seizing with its mating threads during temperature excursions. MDC recommends applying an anti-seize lubricant or using silver plated bolts in all metal seal applications.

Specialized bolts have been devised for climbing applications. The bolt fits into a hole drilled into the rock. This is typically done with a hand drill and hammer and takes about half an hour. The bolt is then hammered, threaded, glued, or mechanically secured in the hole. A mechanically secured bolt is one where tightening it causes the shaft to expand in the hole, the most common means of securing. Glue or sealer is often added to prevent water from getting into the bolt hole.

The general rule is - never trust your life to a single bolt. A modern, well designed climbing bolt properly placed in good rock will hold any fall. However, many things can affect how well a bolt will hold. Be suspect of bolts that look smaller than usual (there are still a lot of old 1/4 inch buttonhead bolts out there). Beware if a bolt is loose, the hanger spins, or if there is obvious rust or corrosion.

Definitely not in the southeast. Bolts are usually placed as a last resort when no natural protection is available. The ethic in the southeast is that routes are climbed using traditional methods with natural protection. If natural protection is available, a bolt is inappropriate. Despite the prevailing attitude, bolts are gradually encroaching in certain appropriate areas. In high use areas bolts are sometimes found as anchors at belay stations.

Mostly, I do not. All of the silver I use is Sterling Silver or better. Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver. I use some silver beads and components that come from the Karen Hill Tribe in Thailand. These silver beads and components are 95% silver. The rest of the sterling silver beads come from India, Turkey, Israel, China, Bali, Nepal and the USA, and maybe a few other places as well. The gold wire I use is 14K gold-filled. Occasionally I will use 12K gold-filled beads or components.

Answer: No. If a client requests it, then a commission piece can be made with STERLING SILVER or GOLD wire. This however will be reflected in the final price of the piece as the cost of precious metal wire is more than plated copper wire.

Having bolts on a climb gives a climber confidence that the anchors he uses are sound. This generally allows the climber a margin of safety that allows him to push closer to the edge of his climbing abilities with less worry of the consequences. Most climbers climb one grade higher on sport routes. Bolts also free the leader from the chore of having to establish natural anchors. Fishing around to find the correct piece of protection and fitting it into the crack just right takes time and energy.

Yes, we can polish silver plated items. But if your silver plated dish has much of the silver plating worn off, we cannot replate this for you. We can polish what silver plating is left.

Silver-plated copper wire shouldn't be used in any equipment that may be exposed to humidity over 50%. The silver reacts with the copper and causes the copper to turn into rust ("red plague"). Yes, this can only happen in the presence of oxygen, but it is very easy to "nick" a wire when stripping, even with the best tools and training. I have seen lengths of silver-plated copper wire in aircraft that still had continuity but had increased in resistance to several kOhms per foot.

A - We cannot recommend any bolts that we have not tested. There are several grades of titanium, and most of the grades are not as strong as the steel that we use in our bolts. The bolts on the Thomson stem are made from a high strength steel alloy, and we add an extra manufacturing process to increase the fatigue life of the bolts.

A As far as bolt on turbo upgrades are concerned (ie Turbo that will bolt up to the standard exhaust manifold, and exhaust flanges) there are none available for our cars. HIGH FLOW - A high flow of the standard turbo can provide slightly more airflow than the standard turbo. Common highflows modify the compressor side of the turbocharger to allow it to pump out more air. A typical highflow of this nature will cost around $700-900 including a turbo rebuild.

The factory head bolts are fine for up to 10psi of boost. Beyond that, they stretch. Replace them with ARP head studs. APR studs can be used with a factory head gasket beyond 20psi of boost. NOTE: When using ARP studs, you will need to grind down one stud (the one that is near the distrubuter opening). If left the standard length, you will be unable to install the distributer. [Back to top]

A mild soap cleaner, with no abrasives. Do not use any silicone based or ammonia products or it will cloud the surface over time.

We use gold because it doesn’t corrode and also has better contact than silver conductors and looks excellent.

Normally, if a piece is solid silver it will be indicated on the piece (e.g. Sterling, .925, 925/1000, .900, Coin, Standard, .9584 (English Britannia), .800 (Germany), 84 (Russia), etc.). Most American-made pieces are marked on the bottom of holloware, and on the reverse on flatware. Foreign-made objects can be marked most anywhere, and are sometimes accompanied by additional marks applied at an assay office in that country. Rarely will you find a piece made of solid silver that isn't stamped.

Sterling silver items that are electroplated with a rhodium finish must still be designated as "Sterling silver" or one of its equivalent legal markings. For more detail on this topic visit the www.ftc.gov web site for specific guidelines. This article copyright 2003 by Metal Arts Specialties. All rights reserved. This material may not be duplicated or copied without expressed written permission. Thank-you

SilverSource has always guaranteed, in writing, the solid sterling silver purity of every single item we sell. We back this guarantee with consistent laboratory assay-testing of all our products, and our longstanding spotless reputation as the leading silver jewelry wholesaler in the trade. In fact, to the best of our knowledge SilverSource was the first wholesaler to make an absolute guarantee of purity, in writing, on every item we sell.

A - Link-Seal? modular seals are basically sized to fit the annular space, not the pipe. Use the assemblies suggested by the charts or calculation. It may not look right, but it will fit.

To support the immune system, Colloidal Silver may be taken orally or topically as a supplement. However any vaginal, anal, or nose wash use is the option of the user and not stated on the bottle as "Suggested Use". N-ergetics is restricted from endorsing these uses. A few drops on a Q-Tip or Band-Aid may be used to "supplement" any wound or sore.

In general it is not necessary to ream also the Vibracon? SM element. Reaming only the foot of the machine and the foundation usually will do. In some situations (for example in case of trust forces on a marine gearbox) we also advise to ream the Vibracon? SM elements. Please contact your local dealer or Machine Support for extra advise on this matter.