So my buddy gave me some freebie bolts and before messing with them I wanted to know if they were legit. He bought a box at a hardware store, so it made me question their quality in a climbing application. He also gave me some Fixe hangers, I believe they're stainless steel. I don't know if the bolts are also stainless. I know you shouldn't mix stainless with plated, so this is another question I'm looking to get answered. Any info anyone could give me would be greatly appreciated.

ALSO, they'd be placed in super solid granitic gneiss. If placed at all.

Hanger and bolt. The stamp on the hanger reads "FIXE 038D-10 30-KN INOX". There are no stamp on the bolts. Submitted By: Rock Cricket on Feb 24, 2013

Box of bolts. Submitted By: Rock Cricket on Feb 24, 2013

Box of bolts. Submitted By: Rock Cricket on Feb 24, 2013

Box of bolts. Submitted By: Rock Cricket on Feb 24, 2013

I just googled "Red Head WS-3836", which was printed on the box label. It bought me to this link www.drillspot.com/products/44321/Red_Head_WS-3836_Wedge_Anch>>> that said they were carbon steel. So a no go on mixing these bolts and hangers?

Edited:
I was wrong, thinking of something else. Redheads are listed in the "acceptable" category here:
www.safeclimbing.org/education/mechbolts.htm

Typically people don't buy climbing equipment at hardware stores. There are climbing applications for such bolts, but anyone who is qualified to use them wouldn't have to ask on the internet.

You should get stainless bolts to go with those hangers. Those Redheads are what we call plated steel (zinc).
Redheads have been used by climbers thousands of times, but IMO are the bottom rung of bolts. You are already ahead a couple bucks per unit with free hangers, get some nice stainless Hilti Kwick bolts, stainless Powers 5 pc., or a good glue in.

What Mike said.

LOL, they weren't bought througha hardware store, they were bought through a bolting gear supplier (think gearx maybe) few years ago, same with the hangers....

Since Rock Cricket is posting from CT, does the type of bolts used matter much? Ken Nichols will probably chop them by mid-summer anyway.

If the stainless bolts also come with a special Ken-proof coating, then you are in business.

Thanks for the good suggestions. When it comes time to put some in I'll definitely go pick up some stainless.

And as for Ken. That old bolt chopping bastard doesn't know the spots I'm heading to.

Meh, they are Red Heads. They are okay, but better bolts exist. Anyway, if you have to ask this type of stuff on the net you need more experience and knowledge before bolting. Get with a local expert in your area.

I concur with several above posters. There are better bolts.

I have already talked to an experienced bolter that I know and if I'm lucky he'll mentor me for a bit. Also, I have placed practice bolts in smaller rocks before. Don't worry, I'm not going out there willy nilly bolting shit without experience. Aside from researching all of the legit info on bolting (ASCA, Camp4, etc.), why not ask opinions of experienced individuals online. People have to start somewhere right? As I'm sure some of you did. I am simply asking because I haven't heard of the bolts before. Yes, I could have googled them - and did, but I wanted to get some consensus, if there was some to be had.

Thanks for all the good advice,
Ryan

Agreed Ryan. Asking questions online is no big deal...more information always helps. Good luck.

Those bolts are fine so long as they are matched with the correct hanger and used in the correct environment (i.e. Desert and the likes. Not wet or salty conditions.).

As far as the stuff you have?

SS to SS unless you're looking for a reaction.

See if your bolts stick to a magnet. The hangers will have a very mild attraction as a comparison (they're 300 series stainless). If the bolts are plated steel (and I suspect they are), they'll stick to a magnet.

Especially in the east in the U.S., I'd bump up to stainless for sure. Its just too wet to consider otherwise.

Not sure I've ever seen galvanic corrosion from disimilar metals used as a climbing anchor, ie, a stainless hanger and non-stainless bolt, but, if it did occur, the bolt would be the item sacrificied and the damage probably wouldn't be visible (except maybe rust streaks).

Stainless versus non-stainless...here's the difference from Stone Mountain in North Carolina...:

Stone Mountain, NC Submitted By: Brian in SLC on Apr 22, 2013