OXZA6 mm titanium hardware guide
Why titanium, system-wide
Stainless hardware in an aluminium or carbon foil is a galvanic cell waiting for salt water. Titanium takes the corrosion out of the equation, and running one spec across wings, fuselages, masts and stabilizers means one key, one bolt kit and no guessing on the beach.
Torque
OX Lock moved the load off the bolt threads and onto a machined shoulder (rev 14 log). The bolts clamp; they do not locate. So:
- Snug, then a quarter turn. With a standard 6 mm L-key, that is hand pressure, not body weight.
- Do not use a power driver. Titanium into aluminium galls fast.
- Re-check after the first session on any new assembly. Parts seat; bolts relax slightly.
Anti-seize
Apply a rice-grain amount of marine anti-seize or Tef-Gel to every bolt, every assembly. It costs seconds and is the single biggest factor in whether a fuselage comes apart cleanly in October.
Bolt length
| Joint | Bolt |
|---|---|
| Front wing → fuselage (OX / T8) | M6 × 25 |
| Stabilizer → fuselage | M6 × 20 |
| Mast → fuselage | M6 × 30 |
| Mast → plate / board | M6 × 30 (plate) · check box depth (tuttle) |
Reusing bolts from another brand? Measure. Too long bottoms out before it clamps; too short leaves fewer than five threads engaged.
Care
- Rinse the assembled foil in fresh water after every salt session.
- Break down every few weeks and re-apply anti-seize.
- Inspect threads for bright galling marks — replace the bolt, not the part.
- Store parts dry and apart over winter.
Replacement kits
Full titanium bolt kits for every joint are listed under replacement parts.
Questions
How tight should foil bolts be?
Snug plus a quarter turn with a 6 mm key — hand-tight, not wrench-tight. OX Lock carries load on a machined shoulder, so the bolts only clamp. Over-torquing titanium into aluminium galls the thread.
Do I need anti-seize on titanium foil bolts?
Yes, especially titanium into aluminium. A small amount of marine-grade anti-seize (or Tef-Gel) on every thread prevents galvanic seizing after salt exposure.
Why titanium foil hardware instead of stainless?
Titanium does not corrode in salt water, does not stain the carbon, and is lighter than stainless. It galls more easily, which is why anti-seize and low torque matter.