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wrote:
While recently lowering my mast it fell forwards partially pulling the
rivets out where the mast joins the bottom bracket. I think that I have
two options to repair this. One is to drilll out the rivets cut off the
botton 1cm ,or so, of the mast to a point just above the old rivets &
redrill & rivet. This will mean putting a block under the tabernackle
so that the stay/shrouds can remain the same length.
Option two is to get the bottom of the mast ally welded to repair the
damage & also attatch the bottom of the mast to the ally bracket.
Does anyone have views on the suitability of both repairs? The second
is the easier option as it will be done proffesionally.

Not sure what you mean by "ally welded". Welding does affect the
strength of aluminum. If your plan is to take a piece of identical
extrusion, and cut it so that it can be placed inside the mast at the
point of failure with the surfaces matching up exactly, then that will
provide sufficient strength although a welder may object to having to
put a bead up inside the thing. Then you could it back in the same
bracket with the poprivets or small bolts.

I think this is pretty close to what you're calling option two? It's the
class way to go, a bit more expesnive of course but plenty strong.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King