Moving hardware on the boom

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preserved_killick
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Moving hardware on the boom

Post by preserved_killick »

I need to remove 4 small pad-eyes from my aluminum boom, and add a 4 more in different places. The current pad-eyes are rivited to the boom. With the new hardware I'll drill and tap for SS bolts which will be Lanocoated.

What's the current thought on filling holes? Tap and plug with something? These are fairly small. How about fill with thickened epoxy and touch up the paint?

-Jeff
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Rachel
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Re: Moving hardware on the boom

Post by Rachel »

I'll be interested to read what our knowledgeable folks say on this one. Years ago (pre-forum... the horror!), when it was not so easy to get answers, I did a full "re-do" on an aluminum boom, which included eliminating/moving hardware and then having it re-painted with 2-part LPU.

I'm pretty sure (racks brain) the holes (which were all small, machine-made round ones) were just filled with thickened epoxy. I don't know now if that was the best, or correct, but I can say the boom survived many miles of sailing (and not being babied) after that.

So, that's why I'm interested to hear what people have to say about the right/best way.

Rachel

PS: I also went with the coated (Tef-gel) and tapped method for installing new things; in addition I put plastic sheet goods under items with any kind of base that allowed for it.
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Re: Moving hardware on the boom

Post by The Froon »

Jeff:

I stripped all of the hardware off of my boom, filled the holes, drilled and tapped for new and existing hardware...and painted. ALl came out perfectly (after a second priming attempt).

The process I used was to countersinkaround the original fastener hole, and then mix up West System epoxy (thickened with 407 and 406), sanded smooth after it fully cured, chemically etched, primed and painted. I also used Tef-Gel for the new fasteners.

I have some notes on my blog under the "Spars" section.

Brian
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preserved_killick
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Re: Moving hardware on the boom

Post by preserved_killick »

Hey Brian,

Just checked out your blog, FROONIE looks beautiful. Nice work!

-jeff
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Drew
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Re: Moving hardware on the boom

Post by Drew »

I don't think it is the "right way" but I filled some surplus mast holes with that silver and white emergency metal repair epoxy. I was not planning on paining the mast and it sort of matched the color of the bare aluminum.

Like this:

Image

It has not fallen out yet.

Drew
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Re: Moving hardware on the boom

Post by Hulukupu »

Regarding your new s/s bolts- I used Lanocote for the first time this season (on my mast)- what messy, sticky stuff it is! I trust it works (it is recommended by Ballinger Spars, among others), but I think I can still detect the smell under my fingernails 2 months later. Wear gloves or you'll smell like a sheep forever.
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Re: Moving hardware on the boom

Post by Skipper599 »

I too am in the process of moving some hardware on my mast - so, where does one buy Lanocote and, is this the ONLY product used to isolate SS fasteners/fittings from Aluminum spar or are there other alternatives?
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Rachel
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Re: Moving hardware on the boom

Post by Rachel »

I've used Tef-Gel. It's another recommended product for that job and does not smell "sheepy." (I do like Lanacote for some things, but I use Tef-Gel for fastener isolation.)

For fittings I like use thin plastic in a "panel" cut to fit under the fitting (i.e. something with a larger base vs. just a fastener).

Rachel
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Re: Moving hardware on the boom

Post by earlylight »

Most chandlers carry Lanacote and Tef-Gel or you can have a Pharmacist get you some anhydrous lanolin'
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Re: Moving hardware on the boom

Post by Hulukupu »

The thin plastic shield that Rachel mentions above worked very well in my case for stainless spreader sockets attached to my aluminum mast. I purchased by Lanicote from Defender.
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Re: Moving hardware on the boom

Post by LazyGuy »

For years, based on feedback from riggingonly.com, I have been using pipe dope. The one with Teflon. Three years after rebuilding the mast on my Sea Sprite, the fasteners came out with no problem and none of them came out on their own.
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