I am investigating the best way to fasten a 4 metre long alu t-track
for my whisker/spi pole to the alu mast.

Currently I have a short length of track (1 metre) which is fastened
with SS screws. I am not satisfied with this, because the screws react
with the aluminium of the mast and dissolve the thread. The track
comes off. I also find it quite difficult to drill and tap the holes
in the mast accurately sitting in a bosun's chair.

My question is whether it would be better to fasten the track with SS
rivets dipped in some isolating compound. At least I wouldn't have the
problem of the tiny threads corroding away and loosening the
fasteners. Also I think that I have a bit more tolerance for drilling
the holes + I can reuse the existing worn out holes to put the rivets
in (instead of tapping one size up).

But, how strong is it compared to screws?

And, how would I go with off-the-shelf T-track which is made for
countersunk heads?

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Joost.

On Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:50:26 -0800 (PST), joost
wrote:

My question is whether it would be better to fasten the track with SS
rivets dipped in some isolating compound.

The isolating compound you are looking for is ordinary silicone
sealant. It works fine for either rivets or threaded fasteners. It
it were mine I would re-tap the holes and bed the threads with
silicone. Temporarily tape the new track to the mast with duct tape
to line it up and get a couple of widely spaced holes holes
drilled/tapped. The rest should fall into line pretty easily if you
center punch the holes accurately.

If you end up using rivets, these are the ones you want:

http://www.airsuppliers.com/Aircraft...R_AIRCRAFT.htm

or

http://tinyurl.com/5osf43

Wayne.B wrote:
On Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:50:26 -0800 (PST), joost
wrote:


My question is whether it would be better to fasten the track with SS
rivets dipped in some isolating compound.


The isolating compound you are looking for is ordinary silicone
sealant. It works fine for either rivets or threaded fasteners. It
it were mine I would re-tap the holes and bed the threads with
silicone. Temporarily tape the new track to the mast with duct tape
to line it up and get a couple of widely spaced holes holes
drilled/tapped. The rest should fall into line pretty easily if you
center punch the holes accurately.

If you end up using rivets, these are the ones you want:

http://www.airsuppliers.com/Aircraft...R_AIRCRAFT.htm

or

http://tinyurl.com/5osf43



For what it's worth, anything over 1/8" diameter will most likely
require a powered puller.

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
snipped

If you end up using rivets, these are the ones you want:

http://www.airsuppliers.com/Aircraft...R_AIRCRAFT.htm

I find it strange that the information on this site about rivets tells you
everything except the piece of information you most want, namely what the
'nominal diameter' actually is.

On Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:50:26 -0800 (PST), joost
wrote:

I am investigating the best way to fasten a 4 metre long alu t-track
for my whisker/spi pole to the alu mast.

Currently I have a short length of track (1 metre) which is fastened
with SS screws. I am not satisfied with this, because the screws react
with the aluminium of the mast and dissolve the thread. The track
comes off. I also find it quite difficult to drill and tap the holes
in the mast accurately sitting in a bosun's chair.

My question is whether it would be better to fasten the track with SS
rivets dipped in some isolating compound. At least I wouldn't have the
problem of the tiny threads corroding away and loosening the
fasteners. Also I think that I have a bit more tolerance for drilling
the holes + I can reuse the existing worn out holes to put the rivets
in (instead of tapping one size up).

But, how strong is it compared to screws?

And, how would I go with off-the-shelf T-track which is made for
countersunk heads?

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Joost.

Next time, tap the holes to make threads for machine screws. Mount
using SS machine screws coated with TefGel.

On Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:30:28 +0100, "Edgar"
wrote:


"Wayne.B" wrote in message
.. .
snipped

If you end up using rivets, these are the ones you want:

http://www.airsuppliers.com/Aircraft...R_AIRCRAFT.htm

I find it strange that the information on this site about rivets tells you
everything except the piece of information you most want, namely what the
'nominal diameter' actually is.


The rivet part number tells you the nominal diameter #4 = .125, for
example. the second number is the length. Google on +rivet +part
number for more details.

Cheers,

Bruce
(bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom)

On Fri, 12 Dec 2008 06:41:55 -0500, wrote:

Next time, tap the holes to make threads for machine screws. Mount
using SS machine screws coated with TefGel.

Where do you get them ?

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 12 Dec 2008 06:41:55 -0500, wrote:

Next time, tap the holes to make threads for machine screws. Mount
using SS machine screws coated with TefGel.

Where do you get them ?


I agree with the machine screw suggestion. I disagree with the use of SS
machine screws. Use aluminum machine screws instead. Seal the threads with
blue Locktite. This avoids the battery effect when salt water gets in the
threads between the SS screws and the aluminum mast.

Wilbur Hubbard

"Gregory Hall" wrote in message
...

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 12 Dec 2008 06:41:55 -0500, wrote:

Next time, tap the holes to make threads for machine screws. Mount
using SS machine screws coated with TefGel.

Where do you get them ?


I agree with the machine screw suggestion. I disagree with the use of SS
machine screws. Use aluminum machine screws instead. Seal the threads with
blue Locktite. This avoids the battery effect when salt water gets in the
threads between the SS screws and the aluminum mast.

Wilbur Hubbard -----------LIAR




Stop it, Gregory. You'll confuse these people more than they already are.
Especially poor Geoff Schultz.


Wilbur Hubbard (the real one!)

"Bruce In Bangkok" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:30:28 +0100, "Edgar"
wrote:


"Wayne.B" wrote in message
. ..
snipped

If you end up using rivets, these are the ones you want:

http://www.airsuppliers.com/Aircraft...R_AIRCRAFT.htm

I find it strange that the information on this site about rivets tells you
everything except the piece of information you most want, namely what the
'nominal diameter' actually is.


The rivet part number tells you the nominal diameter #4 = .125, for
example. the second number is the length. Google on +rivet +part
number for more details.

Thanks. I suppose anyone in the aircraft business is supposed to know this
because if you click the link for more details it still does not reveal the
nominal size, just that.
# 4 is nominal, 5 and 6 are oversize. All of them seem a bit large for
fixing a whisker pole track to the mast.