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Can rivnuts fix my mast? |
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piglet
Really should get out more Joined: 04 Jan 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 514 |
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Topic: Can rivnuts fix my mast? Posted: 17 Jun 14 at 8:21pm |
Monkey goo
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sandgrounder
Far too distracted from work Joined: 01 Apr 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 220 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 18 Jun 14 at 4:12pm |
I have done a lot of these over recent years, preferring the security of M5 A4 stainless steel bolts over pop rivets on every occasion. I use an A4 stainless washer on the inside, and also a nylon washer, with the nylon washer closest to the mast. To assist in pulling the bolt through the hole I find it helps to taper the end of the bolt using a Dremel and abrasive wheel, and I use 6lb fishing line. |
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Wobble
Groupie Joined: 26 Jul 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 44 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 18 Jun 14 at 5:15pm |
Thanks sandgrounder for that excellent advice. Hadn't thought of using a nylon washer.
Forced to wait a bit to do this job now, as I have discovered on taking it off that the spreader lug is cracked thanks to previous efforts with rivets, and I need to get a new one. Really want to get back on the water now but I'll have to be grown-up and deal with delayed gratification. Will post hopefully positive outcome here when done...
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Wobble
Groupie Joined: 26 Jul 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 44 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 02 Jul 14 at 5:02pm |
Got the job done at last!
Incredibly fiddly, as predicted, and a little compromised. In the end I used the spreader hole to get inside with a lead mouse, stood the mast up and rattled like hell, exiting via the spinnaker uphaul sheave hole; then pulled in reverse so that I was able to pull the bolt out the hole and into place. Sounds easy but it took forever because I started with the wrong method -- trying to drop the bolt directly from the jib sheave above because I hadn't though it through properly and just went for the biggest entry point. Head-wrecker. In the end, no ladders or platforms needed. But next time will definitely heed advice to use stronger fishing line, and also more highly coloured. Dull brown, lightweight line was the biggest cause of distress, with one bolt lost -- temporarily -- up the mast due to a break. (I am now doubly fluent in swearing and general crankiness.) Bolts (6m) are a bit undersized for the hole due to the limit on the lug, and I could get only one nut on each bolt because of the shape of the lug and the need to leave room for space for the securing pin for the bottle adjuster, which still needed a bit of gentle hammer-persuasion to fit home. Couldn't find nylon washers, but I did use Duralac and it got everywhere. Also used threadlock on the threads to help the nuts, now dead tight, stay in place. I'll need to monitor them carefully... here's hoping! I hope this account helps anyone considering a similar operation. Thanks again to all for the very sensible advice. PS: I was thinking when preparing at one point to fail with the bolt method (desperation being the mother of invention)... Would it make sense to pull a washer against the inside of the enlarged hole, then superglue it in place to give a new, smaller hole to fit the usual-size rivet? Also fiddly, but I think it could work generally where rivets are preferred but the hole has become too big. |
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piglet
Really should get out more Joined: 04 Jan 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 514 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 02 Jul 14 at 5:18pm |
Well done Wobble, I don't think the blood vessels in my Cerebral Cortex would have put up with that.
Your idea of pulling up a washer on adhesive for later pop riveting has some merit.
Though I would go for a scavanged piece of ally in place of the st.st. washer and epoxy or methacrylate in place of the superglue.
You realise it will break next week
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Wobble
Groupie Joined: 26 Jul 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 44 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jul 14 at 10:43am |
Good idea on the scrap piece. If it all falls apart next week, I'll give that a go -- after my therapy sessions.
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Ian29937
Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 May 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 409 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Jul 14 at 11:43am |
Have you tried putting a couple of small nuts on the shaft of the pop rivet. This moves the riveter away from the fitting and as long as the riveter still grips the shaft, it gets around the problem of interference from the fitting. Cheers Ian |
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Wobble
Groupie Joined: 26 Jul 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 44 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Jul 14 at 1:12pm |
Never thought- of that Ian. Brilliant suggestion and will give it a go next time, which hopefully will be a long way off!
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