Fitting things to the mast

[webcraft]

.
I want to fit a radar reflector, so will need to fix the brackets at four points. Echomax recommend using monel rivets, but I understand this needs a heavy duty rivetting gun which is expensive. Will aluminium rivrts be adequate for the job? I would have thought so.

Also - how do I know what size the rivets should be?

Am also planning to fit an external plastic conduit for the wires (yes, I know it should be inside - already had this discussion at length) and was going to use self-tappers - could I also fix this to the mast with rivets, and should I?


- W

 

[knuterikt]

Sel tapping screws with pointy ends could make damage to halyards inside the mast.
I would use rivets.
For sizing what is the diameter of the holes? Length - grip thickness is the sum of mast wall thickness + fitting, you find this on the package.
I only use monell on my mast, got one like this http://www.biltema.no/no/Verktoy/Ha...r/Kraftig-nagletang-med-oppsamler-2000034439/

 

[William_H]

Much depends on the material you are attaching to the mast. If it is aluminium plate then ali rivets are best into ali mast. If the plate being attached is stainless steel then you will get corrosion and early failure of the rivets if you use ali rivets. In which case use monel rivets. If you are attaching SS then use lots of Duralac or similar barrier. For attachments I also like SS screws with metal thread and run a suitable tap in first. But again use a barrier like Duralac. Assumning you are using 4mm rivets yes you will need a robust device to set monel or SS rivets. Not your cheap rivet pliers. olewill

 

[webcraft]

Sel tapping screws with pointy ends could make damage to halyards inside the mast.
I would use rivets.
For sizing what is the diameter of the holes? Length - grip thickness is the sum of mast wall thickness + fitting, you find this on the package.
I only use monell on my mast, got one like this http://www.biltema.no/no/Verktoy/Ha...r/Kraftig-nagletang-med-oppsamler-2000034439/

Ah, a Kraftig nagletang med oppsamler . . . looks the business. I have ordered this one

https://www.uktoolcentre.co.uk/products/faithfull-heavy-duty-long-arm-riveter.html

Sea Screw have plenty of monel rivets

- W

 

[vyv_cox]

You need to be aware that there are two grades of aluminium pop rivets, pure aluminium and alloy. The latter is made from a 5xxx grade and will thus be equally or more corrosion resistant than the mast. Pure Al rivets will corrode preferentially. Alloy ones need to be searched for but will be far better for your job. RS stock them and no doubt many good rigging suppliers.

 

[knuterikt]

Ah, a Kraftig nagletang med oppsamler . . . looks the business. I have ordered this one

https://www.uktoolcentre.co.uk/products/faithfull-heavy-duty-long-arm-riveter.html

Sea Screw have plenty of monel rivets

- W

You found the English version, nice

 

[merlin3688]

Monel rivets are the ones to use, guessing they will be 4.8 and need to be long enough so at least 3mm of the rivet is in the mast so it can pull up nice and tight. Drill size for this rivet is 4.9 and just be careful you do not drill into any electrical cables, put a stop on the drill if need be. We buy our Monel rivets from County Industrial Suppliers. (They have a shop on eBay)

 

[Big Andy]

Monel rivets are the ones to use, guessing they will be 4.8 and need to be long enough so at least 3mm of the rivet is in the mast so it can pull up nice and tight. Drill size for this rivet is 4.9 and just be careful you do not drill into any electrical cables, put a stop on the drill if need be. We buy our Monel rivets from Country Industrial Suppliers. (They have a shop on eBay)

I think you mean County Industrial Supplies not Country. Trying not to be a pedant, just saving people search time. Of course if there is a Country ind supplies then I stand corrected.

 

[KellysEye]

Monel rivets don't corrode ordinary ones do, I've fitted Monel with a normal rivetting gun.

 

[C08]

Your rivet gun looks the business however it needs 2 hands. I find Lazy Tongs rivetters work better, no problem 6.5mm Monel and no jarring your elbows when it rivets and easier up the mast using one hand on the tongs.
I glued my radar cable to the mast, it fitted nicely in a corner of the IMR section.

 

[wully1]

You found the English version, nice

It wont be as good...

Biltema...... I might have to stroll by the local one tomorrow €€€€€€€€€

 

[PeteCooper]

I would worry about the plastic conduit cracking with the pressure of the rivet - perhaps rivnuts may be better and with my understanding of them would allow the conduit to be removed relatively easily if required.

 

[Boathook]

I fitted some self adhesive trunking on my mast many years ago and used ordinary aluminium rivets every few feet. All still in place though some of the black paint used to match the mast is now 'fading'.

 

[webcraft]

I fitted some self adhesive trunking on my mast many years ago and used ordinary aluminium rivets every few feet. All still in place though some of the black paint used to match the mast is now 'fading'.

Thanks for this. I think I will use monel rivets for attaching the radar reflector brackets but aluminium rivets for the trunking.

- W