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[quote]QUOTE: Originally posted by Leon Silverman ... penetrating galvanized steel with a fastener is going to expose some unprotected steel to the air and create a localized high stress point. Any rusting that occurs will initiate at these points and cause the joints to weaken. Exposed unprotected joints would be better is they were made with corrosion resistant nuts, bolts, and washers instead of the self-tapping screws. [/quote] A bit heavy on overkill, I think. Model railroaders whose layouts have a history of falling apart due to rusting nails should heed the advice. Also in situations with extremely high humidity and under large compressive loads, such as a live steam layout in a perpetually flooded basement or outdoors. In a normal household situation, in a reasonably dry basement, with normal layout loads, screws without any additional protection will suffice & you can reasonably expect your steel framed benchwork to outlast comparable wood framing. Barring the collapse of your house, or the raising of sea levels, your layout will stand for centuries. If nuts, bolts & washers were necessary, then this construction method would be prohibitively expensive. It's not necessary in home construction and isn't in your layout. Wayne
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