Mast fittings

mickshep

mickshep

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Just got surveyors comments on new project, the pop rivets on my ally mast o,k for now but will need replacing in a year or two. are they a none rusting version of the 'everyday' pop rivet. in other words can I do the job myself? What are the rivets made of? If not hard to do I might as well do now whilst mast down and boat ashore. Cheers, Mike.
 
Difficult to say without seeing them, but I suspect they will be monel rivets - which are commonplace for marine usage. Try to avoid rivets with rustable steel inners.

If you drill them out, do take care (by removing the heel plug) that you remove the 'bits', as they can cause mayhem.

You will need a good rivet gun, along the lines of a Lazy Tongs. Normal 'wrench' sized riveters are not always up to the harder rivets.

If it were me, I'd take the opportunity to lift each fitting off and clean it up before refixing. Dont forget the insulating paste between steel fittings and aluminium.
 
Thanks qsiv. The riveter I have seen was a long pump action, trellis like tool. Will have a go at the job myself I think, Lets face it, apart from losing a mast what can go wrong? Mike.
 
Every winter my spreaders etc. are removed with all fittings in Tallinn by my 'boat-man'. Each spring before launch he grabs his Riveter ..... looks like a series of X'x jojned together .... givs immense pressure etc. and he rivets back up all fittings .... they are MONEL RIVETS.

Why each winter ..... joys of racing mate !!! THis baby flies and she must be A1 before scrutineers allow her to compete again !!

Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !
 
Forgot to add ....

NEVER EVER polish with abrasive or scouring any part of the mast - it removes the anodising and you end up with a powder mast !! So when cleaning around fitting areas etc. care and patience with non-abrading ......

Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !
 
Trellis - good description !!

Ours is about 18" high or more ..... basically you compress the trellis like shape and it draws the pin into the rivet ....

Go for it ..... if I can do it - anyone can !!

Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !
 
Re: Trellis - good description !!

Nice one mate, All I needed was a little push. Surveyor said o.k for time being but as first trip in new boat is from Holland to Hartlepool would feel happier if job done before we go. (my first crossing too) Job list now five million and one items, Easy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mike
 
Re: Trellis - good description !!

I had to do mine after a repair to the crosstree bracket.. Hired a riveter from hire and buy, the type like a large cable cutter. Not much fun to use, kinda threw me off each time the rivet snapped, took a lot of power to close.

Suggest you use the trelace type, seems somewhat easier and less dangerous.

Otherwise the job is easy peezy, good advice has been given prior to this post.

<font color=blue> Julian </font color=blue>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ukstaffords.com>http://www.ukstaffords.com</A>
 
Just drill the heads off. The head will spin on

the drill bit as soon as it is loose. Keep some pliers handy to strip the drilled rivet heads off the drill bit. Then use a flat punch to knock the, now headless, old rivet in. Use Monel rivets and even then dip the rivets in Duralac to prevent corrosion.
 
Pantograph

For trellis read "Pantograph".
Advice I have just recieved for a similar task is to make a thin polythene gasket(ice cream box or similar) place it between mast and s/steel fitting to seperate the two, use Duralac (zink chromate paste) and use monel rivets well coated with Duralac.
 
Re: Pantograph

I use Blue Peter's 'sticky backed plastic - much easier to handle if it is first stuck onto the back of the fitting.
 
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