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What's so special about this FCM washer?

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Old 04-16-2010, 01:35 AM
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Default What's so special about this FCM washer?

This red aluminum stamped washer that makes it worth $13.50 (4 x $13.50=$54)? Is there an equivalent replacement?



http://fatcatmotorsports.com/FCM_Bilstein_mounts_NA.htm
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Old 04-16-2010, 06:38 AM
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Originally Posted by kenzo42
This red aluminum stamped washer that makes it worth $13.50 (4 x $13.50=$54)? Is there an equivalent replacement?



http://fatcatmotorsports.com/FCM_Bilstein_mounts_NA.htm


Being in the fastener business myself I can help here.

There are 5 specific design variables that go into a flat washer:

OD (outside diameter)
ID (inside diameter)
thickness
material
coating


While this may sound simple, the part has to be designed for the constraints involved. While many washers are an off the shelf part, this one likely does not fit any spec, and is custom made. Custom made washers come directly from bar stock, and our nicer ones are actually CNC produced. That's right, CNC washers. This labor/overhead cost, combined with a more expensive material (doesn't look like cheap ASTM A193) to me, and what is apparently a catchy custom coating procedure, can easily add up to $13.



He probably had those custom made in which case no, you won't find one. But the only way to know for sure is to buy just one, hit it with the calipers, break it in half, and report back. I'll check it against our part list and see what we've got. If it is a standard size, we'll have them in B7 and L7, plain, zinc plated and teflon coated, and possibly in a few other materials. I get a considerable discount at work considering my wife is in charge of inventory management .
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Old 04-16-2010, 06:49 AM
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Originally Posted by gospeed81
I get a considerable discount at work considering my wife is in charge of inventory management .
That my friend is impressive. I for one can't **** where I work, I'd never be able to make it work. /threadjack.
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Old 04-16-2010, 11:53 AM
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Originally Posted by gospeed81
I get a considerable discount at work considering my wife is in charge of inventory management .
That IS impressive. I'm jealous all I ever got for working with my wife is the Car Pool Lane and getting laid at work .
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Old 04-19-2010, 10:49 PM
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yeah, some aircraft quality stuff for specific parts of an f-16 are over $200 for a small washer the size of a quarter...
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Old 04-19-2010, 10:52 PM
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If it was me.... quick run to the hardware store and done
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Old 04-19-2010, 11:11 PM
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^^Agreed. I realized there's really nothing special about this washer other than it's anodized.
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Old 04-19-2010, 11:28 PM
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Originally Posted by kenzo42
^^Agreed. I realized there's really nothing special about this washer other than it's anodized.
You might could find something to modify to work, but I highly doubt you would find something with the exact dimensions you would need to make it work without being all floppy loose like Hustlers *******. Might could find a very close OD or ID, but probably not both together, and any OD size you find will probably have a hole too large to work. I would imagine if there were some already out there, he wouldn't be charging $13 for them, and someone would have already sounded the siren for discount. to me it would be worth the $13/ea just to avoid additional hassle, and to know I'm getting something that is going to fit correctly and not cause any possible future problems. Yes it's only a washer, but an important component in this case.
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Old 04-21-2010, 08:05 AM
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Sometimes it's better to buy a $13 mousetrap at the store than $8 worth of parts and the trip/time/labor to make your own mousetrap that might work just as well.

Just sayin'.

Frank
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