Nat, highly recommend that you put in all 3 rivets before using the rivet
tool. This way you know for sure that you have the right pieces together. I
use the chair method as an easy way to rivet the elements. I put in all 3
rivets then use one hand to place the rivet tool on each rivet and pop.
Tony
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-towertalk@contesting.com
[mailto:owner-towertalk@contesting.com]On Behalf Of WD4K
Sent: Friday, February 23, 2001 12:31 PM
To: dhearn@ix.netcom.com; Nat Davis; towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: RE: [TowerTalk] F-12 C3S assembly hints?
HI Nat, I have 2 C31's that have been relocated and I have assembled them 4
times:) Lot of rivets!! I found the EASY way -get a comfortable chair and a
table in front with element bundles, parts, rivets etc. Have one support
(chair, sawhorse etc) on each side of the chair out an appropriate distance
and height. Place the pieces to be riveted in your lap, supported by the
supports. The suggestion to measure twice and check first is right if in
doubt. Then- Put the rivet in the gun, insert in the proper hole-go! Do the
boom first and put in a nearby location for element assembly. Place each
assembled element in order as it is finished on or next to the boom. When
all elements are done, do the el/boom measuring, tightening and feed
systems. Usually takes me about 2-3 hours to do a C31 now, so it isn't a
major ordeal at all. DOUBLE CHECK all measurements, rivets etc when
completely finished.
I hear that is a great antenna. GL 73, Tommy WD4K
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-towertalk@contesting.com
[mailto:owner-towertalk@contesting.com]On Behalf Of dan hearn
Sent: Friday, February 23, 2001 9:32 AM
To: Nat Davis; towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] F-12 C3S assembly hints?
Hi Nat: I have built a couple of F12 antennas and learned a bit from the
experience. It is not easy to hold the element pieces together and
operate the rivet setting tool. You need at least 3 hands and preferably
4 to do the job right. There are a lot of rivets to set.
One person can do it easily if you clamp the lower handle of the rivet
tool in a bench vise. You can hold the tubes in one hand and operate the
rivet tool with the other. If your vise can be rotated, You can aim it
over your work bench. A few lumber scraps stacked on the benchtop to the
height of the rivet tool will support the tubing horizontally and make
the job even easier.
The boom to mast plates on my beams have 5 bolts with the 5th one
above the others. I put an extra long bolt in the top hole. This allows
me to remove the other 4 bolts and tilt the beam for tuning or
maintenance.
73, Dan, N5AR
Nat Davis wrote:
>
> I have ordered a Force-12 C3S and have been told that it will ship from
the
> factory this coming Monday. With that in mind, does anyone have any
> suggestions, hints, tips, practical experience on assembling this antenna
> that I could benefit from -- before I start to put mine together :-)
>
> Many thanks.
>
> Nat Davis
> N4EL
>
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