Replacement masthead L bolt

[maej]

When I removed my masthead recently I found this bolt was very difficult to undo because it had been cross threaded. Where can I get a replacement from? I haven't seen any for sale anywhere.

It is from the masthead of a Sadler 34 mast.

Dimensions: (measured using cheap digital calipers with unskilled operator)

Diameter (measured at thread end) 9.85mm
Length from inside of bend to thread end = 43mm
Length from inside bend to base of head = 12.2mm
width of head (flat to flat) 16.8mm
Writing on the head = "VE FE" and "A4 70"

 

[PlankWalker]

Its an A4 stainless M10 hex bolt yours appears to be 55mm long,
60mm is a standard length available at any fixings stockist for £1,
If you cant put it in a vice, heat it up and bend it yourself, any machine shop will do it for you, and hacksaw 5mm off the end.
Plank

 

[William_H]

Mast head L bolt

I have never seen anything like this in a mast head. It looks like pretty crude engineering to me.
However it might be just an ordinary bolt bent for the purpose.
You could find what thread it is and get a die nut to repair the thread. Or get another bolt and bend it with the aid of a vice and a large carefully calibrated bashometer. (lump hammer to you)
I imagine that if you went for slightly over dimension in length and made the bent part equal or longer than original you could fit washers under the head to reduce distance from bend to head. Any extra length at the thread end would not matter.
If you clean up the thread with a die nut replace the nylock nut. Even then you may find that nut does not grip so well. To avert the nut falling off make the bolt longer with a hole through it for a split pin or lock wire.Or just bash the bolt end over so it can't undo. I presume this is a critical part of rigging at mast top.
Or is this a troll? Is it really part of the rigging? To be honest I ma the only one I know who would use such crude engineering and then not on my boat. good luck olewill

 

[mitiempo]

What is it used for? You would have a bit of trouble tightening it all the way.

 

[merlin3688]

The bolt is from a Z Spar masthead box, they should have them on the shelf.

 

[merlin3688]

I think from memory they have two sizes, 8 and 10mm. They may still use them to fasten the headbox to the mast.

 

[DanTribe]

See Selden catalogue page 16, [page 19of on line catalogue] part nr 169-001 to 005 depending on diameter.
www.seldenmast.com

 

[merlin3688]

Ah I knew I had seem them somewhere!! That's the problem when you have worked with both Mast companies! I still think Z Spars use this system but I may be wrong, I am sure someone will tell me!

 

[merlin3688]

See from Z Spars http://zsparsuk.com/z531.gif, I thought they made them! Having said this I guess Selden do a similar bolt, just check the make of mast, Z Spar speak with them, Selden (Kemp) Speak with them.

 

[maej]

Brilliant, thank you merlin3688 and DanTribe, and everyone for the help!

I think my mast is Kemp, and looking at the selden catalogue I can see a headbox that l;ooks similar to mine (though more evolved). so I guess Kemp masts is now Selden masts I will contact Selden masts and hopefully they can supply me the bolt which they call a hook bolt.

Thanks for all the help and advice

 

[wklein]

Yes, kemp masts are now selden masts. In fact a lot of their fittings have part numbers for both. They are also called J bolts not L bolts. They are used to hold on the head box. In most cases (on masthead rigs) they are only to stop the box falling apart when mast is down, once rig is up and tuned mast wall supports the fitting