AN Bolts Availability

[Rick Iverson]

Gents;

I placed an order with Aircraft Spruce, and both their online order page as well as customer service confirms AN3-8A, AN3-9A, AN3-18A, AN3-19A, and the same dash lengths for AN4, AN5, AN6 and AN7 bolts are not available. Quite odd.

Does anyone know where I can get these for a competitive price?

[Mike B]

Gents;

I placed an order with Aircraft Spruce, and both their online order page as well as customer service confirms AN3-8A, AN3-9A, AN3-18A, AN3-19A, and the same dash lengths for AN4, AN5, AN6 and AN7 bolts are not available. Quite odd.

Does anyone know where I can get these for a competitive price?

The usual answer is Pegasus but it looks like they don't carry those lengths. Sometimes I find that if Pegasus doesn't have it, I don't need it.
I found this document that makes it appear that those sizes no longer exist?
https://www.skybolt.com/wp-content/u...S-Hardware.pdf

[S Lathrop]

Try Wicks

https://www.wicksaircraft.com/shop/bolt-an3-3-16-1032/

[Rick Kirchner]

might try the NAS equivalents

[SeBeco]

I would give Raceparts a call - (770) 889-0499

[lowside67]

Alternative question - what application requires AN bolt surety in only 3/16" sizing? I use good quality non AN bolts in many places on my car (primarily where socket cap heads are needed, coarse thread applications, or anything 3/16).

-Mark

[Rick Iverson]

Gents;

My research reveals Army-Navy (AN) bolts (circa 1940ish), were re-monikered Military Specifications (MS) in the early 1950s. I simply cannot imagine these sizes have been eliminated from the worldwide aviation market.

Now I presume Carroll Smith’s book Nuts and Bolts probably has the AN to MS equivalent table, but I have yet to find it. Any help?

Post Scriptum - The venerable Carroll Smith once scribed “They don’t put Class 8 bolts on aircraft, why should you do so on your race car?

[jrh3]

Those dash numbers are uncommon. Bolts are in 1/8” grip lengths but the numbers are not always consecutive. Go up a size and use another washer or two. A bolt length gauge is helpful.
Good to get a ACS paper catalog if still available.

[Rick Iverson]

Richard;

Might work. I might add AN960 washers are in 0.032” and 0.064” thicknesses, and I believe FAA standards are a minimum of two threads exposed. Just a thought, friend.

Those dash numbers are uncommon. Go up a size and use another washer or two. A bolt length gauge is helpful.
Good to get a ACS paper catalog if still available.

[Rick Brannon]

You can try these guys I’ve used them for over 25 years. https://spenceraircraft.com/hardware...rame-bolt.html

[DanW]

I've used this company several times for some hard to find hardware. If they don't have it in stock, they will search their suppliers for what you need. They also have an awesome aviation hardware reference manual, far more complete than Smith's book.
They have no website, just an email address and phone. Small family business, used to be in Ventura, CA area.

They are in Billings, Montana now.

(888) 247-2738




sales@genhardware.com

[jrh3]

Richard;

Might work. I might add AN960 washers are in 0.032” and 0.064” thicknesses, and I believe FAA standards are a minimum of two threads exposed. Just a thought, friend.

Rick, check the bolt charts. AN dash numbers skip at -7 to -10; -17 to -20; -27 to -30, etc. there is still 1/8” difference in grip length from -7 to -10, etc. And what a coincidence two regular washers make up 1/8”
You will be hard pressed to find the dash numbers you list , if they exist, at a price you want.
Richard, A&P

[Raleigh]

A Photo of my Bolt Gauge explains the AN bolt Dash numbers and how they jump from -7 To -10. A keen eye will notice it also does this every ten dash numbers. Eg 17,27,37,47 and so on. I have ordered in thousands of AN bolts since an Apprentice. This issue comes up All the time.

[jrh3]

A much better explanation than mine. The picture is worth 1000 of my words.

A Photo of my Bolt Gauge explains the AN bolt Dash numbers and how they jump from -7 To -10. A keen eye will notice it also does this every ten dash numbers. Eg 17,27,37,47 and so on. I have ordered in thousands of AN bolts since an Apprentice. This issue comes up All the time.

[-pru-]

A Photo of my Bolt Gauge explains the AN bolt Dash numbers and how they jump from -7 To -10. A keen eye will notice it also does this every ten dash numbers. Eg 17,27,37,47 and so on. I have ordered in thousands of AN bolts since an Apprentice. This issue comes up All the time.

Thanks; that’s awesome! I’m putting that bolt gauge on my wish list. Link:

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...boltgauges.php

[Lee Johnson]

Here is a URL to Spencer Aircraft (Hardware) website. The website says that they are in Puyallup, WA.

https://spenceraircraft.com/hardware.html/

Other categories of aircraft items (some usable by racers) can be found by backing up to "Home". (I notice that the sorting of the AN bolts list on their website is not very user friendly, so using the search function for a specific part # is the best approach.)

Lee

[Fred Michael]

Going to NAS bolts will solve this issue for you

[Rick Iverson]

Fred;

Is there a table to equate AN to NAS?

Going to NAS bolts will solve this issue for you

[tstrong]

Fred;

Is there a table to equate AN to NAS?

I dont understand what the issue is. You don’t need a -8 or -9, you need a -7 or-10. Measure your grip length you need and choose the correct bolt. There is not an AN/ NAS equivalent chart/bolt.