Fill empty rivet holes on mast?

[Trident]

Where old mast fittings have been removed (for halyard exits) I have several empty rivet holes

My instinct it to put rivets in them to fill the hole as it could be a point that starts to crack one day etc - though I appreciate my engineering was only to A Level and that was 40 years ago so I may be wrong.

Given I am only filling a hole - are cheap and weak (comparatively) aluminium rivets suitable rather than £3 a pop (see what I did there? ) Monel rivets

 

[Refueler]

Can you re-purpose the holes to fit small cleats for flags etc ?

Holders for halyard lines ?

 

[Poignard]

If cracks didn't start when there was something in the holes, there is no reason for them to start when there isn't.

There are several eBay sellers offering rubber bungs and grommets of all sizes.

If you can find some rubber bungs of the correct size, fit them and that's all you need do.

Then, if you ever want to re-use the holes, as Refueller suggests, just pull out the rubber bungs.

If you can'r get rubber bungs small enough, then a blob of silicone or other sealanrt will do as well.

 

[doug748]

These people are very good. I once ordered from them at lunchtime and the rivets were is my post box the next morning, don't ask me how. Check out this sample price - for 10 :

Pardon our interruption...

OTOH if aluminium is all you have they will be fine, use the yellow stuff, Duralac.

.

 

[KevinV]

If cracks didn't start when there was something in the holes, there is no reason for them to start when there isn't.

There are several eBay sellers offering rubber bungs and grommets of all sizes.

If you can find some rubber bungs of the correct size, fit them and that's all you need do.

Then, if you ever want to re-use the holes, as Refueller suggests, just pull out the rubber bungs.

If you can'r get rubber bungs small enough, then a blob of silicone or other sealanrt will do as well.

Totally agree, I'd go for a little piece of silver sticky back vinyl - neat, functional and reversible

 

[Poignard]

Totally agree, I'd go for a little piece of silver sticky back vinyl - neat, functional and reversible

Also a good idea, and if you cut nice round pieces with a wad punch they will hardly be noticeable.

 

[Trident]

I'm not concerned about blocking up the holes as they sit along side the halyard exit which is a very big hole - the new halyard exit plate only fixed top and bottom where as the old, broken and no longer replaceable one had 6 rivets down the sides (3 each side) so those holes are open now - but in terms of water or the like intrusion they're tiny compared to the big halyard hole. My concern was only that it may be a weak spot and a rivet would fill it. It seems not a problem ... thanks for the replies

 

[Refueler]

These people are very good. I once ordered from them at lunchtime and the rivets were is my post box the next morning, don't ask me how. Check out this sample price - for 10 :

Pardon our interruption...

OTOH if aluminium is all you have they will be fine, use the yellow stuff, Duralac.

.

Why Duralac for alloy rivets in an alloy mast ??

Rivets are usually Alloy .. not straight Aluminium ... unless bought specifically ..

 

[doug748]

The key reason in this case is to keep moisture out but It's good practice anyway. Different alloys can react, even the same alloy that has been produced or worked differently can be at a different potential.

 

[thinwater]

In fact, nothing is probably the best answer. There is no engineering advantage to filling the hole. None. You got this on the first reply. Anything that goes in the hole could encourage corrosion. NOT a rivet, obviously.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I filled old rivet holes in my boom and mast simply using epoxy metal resin putty ensuring the holes are sealed to keep moisture out

 

[thinwater]

I filled old rivet holes in my boom and mast simply using epoxy metal resin putty ensuring the holes are sealed to keep moisture out

That would be my choice, if I really felt the need.

 

[PetiteFleur]

If you use aluminium rivets - don't forget they usually have steel pins after you've popped them so they will rust.

 

[ducked]

Dont the holes provide ventilation, which is usually a good thing?

 

[Neeves]

It is very unlikely the aluminium alloy of the mast and the rivets are the same and unless you punch out the end of the shear pins you will have steel in the rivet. All pointing to the possibility of corrosion. I really cannot think of any reason not to use Duralac, except poor planning and laziness.. Using Duralac whenever you mate aluminium with anything is a good idea to adopt.

Whether you need to fill the holes at all is a different issue.

Unless you have a lot of holes such that they weaken the mast, I personally, would leave them open (water will get in any way - masts have lots of holes. Filling the holes with rivets will not strengthen the mast and may encourage the idea that they do (strengthen the mast).

Jonathan

 

[Iliade]

If aesthetics is your concern try Plastic push in rivets The original holes will have exposed the unanodised surface of the mast, so there is no harm in using duralac or a blob of grease to put a stop any salt water corrosion.

 

[NormanS]

In fact, nothing is probably the best answer. There is no engineering advantage to filling the hole. None. You got this on the first reply. Anything that goes in the hole could encourage corrosion. NOT a rivet, obviously.

Extra holes can cause annoying whistling noises in the wind. Rubber bungs, tape or silicone would be my choices.

 

[Bouba]

When I removed some rivets from my aluminum mast...I first painted the holes...using a cotton bud to get the paint right inside. I agree with using a plastic or rubber plug...but it’s surprising how much of the holes you can fill with just paint

 

[MontyMariner]

Why Duralac for alloy rivets in an alloy mast ??

Probably because the pin in the rivet are ferrous and the rust marks will look awful.