Fitting 2 steps at the mast top

[pcatterall]

last time I had to go up there I found up and down less of an issue than doing the work at the top. The masts are down now so I aim to fit 2 foldaway steps near the top and will appreciate advice.
The stainless steps came with out screws or rivets I guess that riveting is the way to go ? in which case what type of rivets should I buy? and how best to protect against corrosion? some kind of plastic between step and mast and (monel?) rivets??
I'm guessing that fitting at 4 feet below mast head would allow me to work on the top or the blocks and still have my waist below the blocks my climbing line and safety rope are over? Also a good support while I change over from ascender to descender.

Thanks for your help

 

[rob2]

I would be inclined to use girt big monel rivets, a plastic insulator and everything coated in Duralac. 4' sounds about right - you want the masthead about level with the breastbone, so your arms can articulate freely above it. Once up there, a strap cinched around the mast and your waist will make you far more secure when trying to lever at things - advice from a confirmed vertical coward who can't get much above the spreaders...

Rob.

 

[NormanS]

The folding steps that I fitted to my mainmast were drilled for 5mm rivets. I drilled them out to 1/4", and used 1/4" (6.4mm) monel rivets. Was this necessary? I don't know, but if you do use 6.4mm, be aware that they are more effort to set, and need a decent tool. Use Duralac to insulate between stainless and alloy. 4' sounds about right for masthead access. Personally, if my mast(s) were down, I would fit folding mast steps all the way. I have found them extremely useful, and completely unobtrusive.

If you do decide to fit them all the way, the position of the ones at the masthead may be set to a certain extent by the distance from the spreaders. I took the level of the top of my (single) spreaders as my starting datum, and measured up and down from that. The spacing depends a bit on the length of your legs. I made mine 0.5m, but I wouldn't want them any further apart than that.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Personally I would find the top of the mast at 'breastbone height' too low. Somewhere between breastbone and waist suits me. You want to be able to stand up on the steps and work comfortably at the top.

If you do decide to fit more the spacing is quite important. When I fitted mine, I agree with the previous poster: I was advised by a rigger that 0.5 metre spacing is the one they use. I certainly wouldn't want it any more than that and I'm over 6'2" tall with a stride to match!

Hope that helps.