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[TowerTalk] Never-Seez and noalox?

To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] Never-Seez and noalox?
From: "Jim Thomson" <jim.thom@telus.net>
Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2010 04:43:17 -0800
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:29:39 -0500
From: "Roger (K8RI)" <K8RI-on-TowerTalk@tm.net>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Never-Seez and noalox?


I'd not use any lube on tower joints, or any material that would reduce 
the gripping action of the leg overlap as that would reduce the over all 
tower strength and put more load on the bolts, which could lead to the 
elongation of the bolt holes.

Also when use on bolt threads the torque required for a specific linear 
pull on the bolt is reduced substantially. In compression on a tower 
leg  never-seez on the threads can lead a greatly increased crushing 
force on the tower legs. That needs to be taken into account when used 
on tower bolts.

73

Roger (K8RI)

##  There is nothing wrong with using never seize on tower leg bolts, done all 
the time.
Portland bolt engs tell me that when bolts are lubricated, you need  no where 
near the
torque to get the same amount of tightness.   Tightness and torque are 2  x 
different things!
EG:  a 3/8"  g-5 bolt  requires  38 ft lbs of torque when 'dry'..... but only 
23 ft lbs  when
lubricated.   Now if Joe ham lubricates the bolts [and mating nuts]... and uses 
38 ft lbs of
torque, you will have over tightened the  bolt !   The engs also told me that 
to use those
max torque figures they provide for the bigger bolts with caution..esp  when UN 
lubricated.
They tell me they break bolts all day long in the lab, when those UN lubricated 
max torque
numbers are used.  I lube all bolts  [ and nuts]  with lockite brand  never 
seize.   The marine grade
brand offered by most  'never seize'  makers  is the best you can get.  Made 
for fresh and salt water
environments. [IE:  rain  for typ ham use]. 

##  On both tower legs bolts  like rohn 45-55 legs..and also  typ  al booms  
used for ants, there is no need
to crank bolts  super tight.   You get em so tight, and after that, the 
tightness  drops off... since you are then
just  crushing the tubing.   On F-12 al booms, they use a combo of 3/16"  solid 
AL rivets and  1/4"  SS bolts
[with SS nylocks].   I supplement the 1/4"  SS bolts  with another 8 x 3/16"  
solid AL rivets.  

##  I use  never seize on all  SS bolts and screws, when used outside..esp when 
SS nylocks used,  other wise
SS  will gaul the threads. 

later...  Jim   VE7RF



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