Radar Reflector - Monel rivets or A4 SS machine screws

[Streaker1421]

Hi, I'm onabout to fit a new radar reflector to my mast. Echomax instructions state the use of Monel rivets to secure the brackets to the mast. I'm inclined to drill, tap and use A4 SS machine screws, using tefgel and a barrier layer between the brackets and mast to reduce corrosion.

Other than the intrusion of the screws inside the mast and the risk of them catching the internal led halyards, are there any other reasons why I shouldnt use screws.

TIA

 

[paulajayne]

Other than the intrusion of the screws inside the mast and the risk of them catching the internal led halyards,

Is that not enough?

Rivets or rivnuts are far better.

 

[Blueboatman]

You can pull a machine screw out with a crow bar but prob not a Monel rivet.
So IF you get something caught or wrapped around the reflector one day … ??
Needs a very good grade of tool to pull up a Monel rivet tho , borrow the best you can !

 

[Stemar]

You can pull a machine screw out with a crow bar but prob not a Monel rivet.
So IF you get something caught or wrapped around the reflector one day … ??

I can imagine a scenario where I'd happily sacrifice my radar reflector to get the main or genny sorted in a hurry. I rather think I'll be using aluminium rivets.

 

[Wing Mark]

How thick is the mast wall?

If you trim a machine screw to length, it should intrude less than a rivet.
A rivnut is another option.

 

[sarabande]

Echo...echo....

 

[doug748]

Hi, I'm onabout to fit a new radar reflector to my mast. Echomax instructions state the use of Monel rivets to secure the brackets to the mast. I'm inclined to drill, tap and use A4 SS machine screws, using tefgel and a barrier layer between the brackets and mast to reduce corrosion.

Other than the intrusion of the screws inside the mast and the risk of them catching the internal led halyards, are there any other reasons why I shouldnt use screws.

TIA

It's tempting to use stainless screws and I have but have always cut them down and domed the ends into a semi circle so there is little chance of snagging. Stainless and Alloy is a poor mixture though, I have taken fittings off which have blasted a huge hole right through the extrusion so the barrier is vital. You do have to drill wacking big holes and removing them, years later, tends to be a wrestling match and they will be left even bigger

All round best bet is almost certainly the Monel rivets. I have found there people very good, once I ordered midday and the pack was in my post box next morning:

southessexfasteners1974 on eBay

.

 

[awol]

Maybe the question should be - is there any downside to monel rivets? Apart from procuring a decent tool, they are ottherwise ideal and if you ever need to remove them they come with a built in drill centring head.

 

[Streaker1421]

Thanks everyone. After thinking about it further and taking into consideration all the comments above, I have decided to go with Monel rivets.

 

[Boathook]

Thanks everyone. After thinking about it further and taking into consideration all the comments above, I have decided to go with Monel rivets.

I use polyethylene between stainless fittings and the aluminium mast. Just a case of buying a suitable size milk bottle, drinking the contents and cutting bottle to shape. This with monel rivets keeps corrosion levels just about non existent.