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From: Joe - G4XRZ (no email)
Date: Mon Jan 10 2005 - 09:52:34 EST
Hi Sir
As Bryan says, there should be some cutouts in the mast for various
fitments and cable entries. Hopefully you could inspect via these.
An alternative is to find someone with an endoscope (in the UK they
are used for cavity wall inspection as well as medical..) this could
reveal all via an existing small opening. Consider the aluminuium
shaving if they could fall onto blocks / sheaves - especialy with
fibre halyards etc. Many have done it without problems though. Could
it not wait until the next mast service ?.. or could it be combined
with a mast inspection along with wiring etc ?.
As an aside, providing you have a good water runoff for the water
that enters the mast normally, then you can at least flush out any
shavings with a hosepipe prior to moving any running rigging.
Avoid drilling holes around the mast - up and down is not so bad,
but avoid areas where existing fittings are if the new fitting would
make more of a ring of holes around the profile as this can weaken
the structure. It is better to have a step slightly out of alignment
than to fit it alongside existing holes. Try to leave at least 2"
between any existing drilings. If you need to cut any openings
(doubtful in your case) then make sure the corners are rounded and
NOT angled as this can lead to cracking.
Hope that helps
Joe.
--- In , "Len den Besten"
<lendenbesten at y dot dot dot > wrote:
>
> Does anyone have experience with drilling in the mast while it's
up?
> I want to drill holes and fasten maststeps made out of alu strip.
> Question is how to prevent damaging cabels and such. The mast is a
> rectangular alu profile a lot like this:
>
> /---------\
> | |
> | |
> | |
> | |
> ---> | | <--- places where I'd like to drill obviously
> | |
> | |
> | |
> | |
> \---|-|---/
>
> I'd like to think the cabel-tubes are in the corners for ease of
> fastening but I guess that's wishful thinking.
>
> The original mastbuilder is not available and other professional
> mastbuilders won't burn their fingers....
> Anyone here who ever fastened maststeps or has ever looked into
> their mast? Would an electric cabel-finder do any good?
> Any hint or advice is welcome.
>
> Thanks in advance
> Len,
> S/v Present
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