Tony'
That slip fitting looks just fine!
Just fine the way it is. Will get plenty of strength from the surrounding boom extrusion especially if it's a close fit.
Any thoughts of anodizing or powder coating or otherwise painting the fitting befor it goes in the extrusion?
Ballenger's parts for the 338 mast were all clear anodized.
Well, like I said, they don't just slide right in. the attached pic should explain it alot better than my fumbling words about the screen can do.
Dwyer has the same dimensions on the outside but a drastically differing profile or shape. Our extrusions have a teardrop shape while theirs have an almost perfect eliptical outside profile.
So while I shaved off the shoulders a bit I'll have to build up the sides to give a snug fit inside the boom. That fit is what, I believe, will give it strength at the union between the boom and the new pieces. That will be more evident when I get to the outhaul fitting where it will have even less material left after the file. I keep picturing it 'flipping' out of the boom end and shooting toward the mast head. How will I ever overcome that?
so you see, the paint still on the 'shoulder' will have to be removed so I can build up that area with epoxy. Then it'll probably just get some bright side to cover it.
I fixed the deadlight frames with a one part aluminum putty/paint from these guys.
The frames went thru the powdercoat baking process no problema.
There are a number of metal fillers with video names. Get the aluminum filled one they use on mufflers or is it engine blocks. Hey. WHAT kind of epoxy is THAT?
[Hit the 'Repair' bar then look for Lab Metal. I used the lower priced stuff without problem. Don't have any tips really on using it. Painted it on, it is a loose paste, one part, let it set up. Filed like metal. Get the solvent too. It might not even be epoxy....YEA!
There are two part putty sticks like Aluminox and Permatex makes putties too, never used them. Even West System, has aluminum powder to mix yer own. But the high temp stuff is more intriguing. And I vouch for Lab Metal. It goes on wet. I felt I got something that LIKED aluminum, looks like aluminum, and became aluminum.] LYCKA TILL
This is the 'underbelly' of the outhaul piece. The upper mainsheet block will ride on a stainless bail that will be bolted through the boom and outhaul assembly with a corresponding compression tube (or whatever it's really called).
In honor of Frank Lloyd Wright I busted through the snow drifts and ice into my shop tonight after work. It has it's own type of 'organic architecture' after a long winter's nap...it smells like a cat turd!!! Mr. Wright, surely, would not approve.
Because of these new fittings, the overall boom length had grown. So I decided to cut some off each end to get rid of the old screw holes and what not. A fine opportunity to start anew...
customizing Dwyer castings
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote