But isn't there a conductivity paste that could 'fill' the voids?
Yes, I do get there would be a relationship between clamping pressure vs surface area. I guess, what is the optimum surface area vs force. I suspect a soft surface would be better. Which stainless steel is not.
So keeping everything the same, using a copper stud and a copper top washer would allow more contact area with the same low clamping pressure that we are stuck with.
In the end, I'm working on my first battery and I'm just trying to do what is best for me. I own some metal machines that I can make most anything I want. I'm making the copper studs now and should be making some copper top washers soon [6mm hole large OD]. I'm not made of money but I have enough to pay with stupid ideas that pop up in my head.
I appreciate all the inputs so far.