I am having a custom kit built by a local drum builder in Oregon. He is ordering the lugs from a lug maker. The lugs will be extruded aluminum or brass and the threads will be drilled straight into the solid metal. This will then be covered by chrome. Only the chrome will show.
I am trying to figure out if aluminum is fine for the threads, or if I should make a big stink and demand brass threads. Both the builder and the lug maker are strongly discouraging me from doing this. I don't care about the difference in price. I just want lugs that will last for a long long time. The lug maker says brass is 10X more expensive, but the builder told me the difference is only $1.50 more per lug.
The aluminum is high grade aircraft stock (allegedly). I previously owned an Allegra kit with aluminum lugs that stripped. I hated them, and I hated the kit.
Both the builder and the lug maker swear the aircraft grade aluminum lugs are every bit as good as the brass lugs. From my own research, I have discovered that brass has a natural lubrication that aluminum does not. Aluminum is not supposed to corrode as fast as brass. I am mainly worried about cross threading. That's what I want to avoid over time.
What do you guys think? Is aluminum okay or not? Obviously chrome steel tension rods will be screwed into these lugs, so the rods will be harder and stronger than the lugs no matter what. My only other option is a spring lug with a few measly chrome steel threads in the insert. I'm leaning towards the solid lugs. They won't rattle, and they will be smaller and one piece.
It's the choice between aluminum or brass that has got me thinking. Any advise would really help out, especially from somebody who knows about lugs.
I am trying to figure out if aluminum is fine for the threads, or if I should make a big stink and demand brass threads. Both the builder and the lug maker are strongly discouraging me from doing this. I don't care about the difference in price. I just want lugs that will last for a long long time. The lug maker says brass is 10X more expensive, but the builder told me the difference is only $1.50 more per lug.
The aluminum is high grade aircraft stock (allegedly). I previously owned an Allegra kit with aluminum lugs that stripped. I hated them, and I hated the kit.
Both the builder and the lug maker swear the aircraft grade aluminum lugs are every bit as good as the brass lugs. From my own research, I have discovered that brass has a natural lubrication that aluminum does not. Aluminum is not supposed to corrode as fast as brass. I am mainly worried about cross threading. That's what I want to avoid over time.
What do you guys think? Is aluminum okay or not? Obviously chrome steel tension rods will be screwed into these lugs, so the rods will be harder and stronger than the lugs no matter what. My only other option is a spring lug with a few measly chrome steel threads in the insert. I'm leaning towards the solid lugs. They won't rattle, and they will be smaller and one piece.
It's the choice between aluminum or brass that has got me thinking. Any advise would really help out, especially from somebody who knows about lugs.
