| The last time I worked on the A3, I found that the hose clamps just 
wouldn't hold the tubing securely enough that I couldn't easily move it, 
so I added the sheet metal screws.  (The hose clamps did somehow manage 
to be secure enough for over 20 years, though.) 
73,
Scott K9MA
On 5/9/2019 08:40, john@kk9a.com wrote:
 Personally I like hose clamps however you have to get quality ones 
with a wide band and stainless steel screw. It is unlikely that you 
will find these at the big box stores. Why do you want to change this 
clamping method? The only issue that I have seen with them is in 
highly corrosive environments where the aluminum and stainless steel 
do not play nicely with each other.  I have also use screws but with 
nuts and though the entire tube, with the outer one slit just as you 
have and it worked well. On occasion, usually with large heavy tubing, 
I have used the SHCS method that K5GO just described and it is a good 
method. I would not just use a sheet metal screw though a single wall 
of each tubing. I am not sure how well they would hold, especially 
with the antenna elements vibrating in the wind.
John KK9A
Garry K4OR wrote:
Greetings all,
I am rebuilding a 17 meter beam I built about 35 years ago. At the 
time I used slots and hose clamps where fastening element sections 
together but this time I am going to use sheet metal screws. My tubing 
sizes will taper from 1.125" down to .625" in 5 sections per side.
I can't find any information on what size screws to use unless I'm 
just looking over it. I have seen a recommendation to use hex head 
screws rather than typical flat blade or phillips head due to possible 
damage to the screw head but nothing on screw size. I also wonder if 
self tapping would be a better option than standard sheet metal type. 
Any thoughts will be most appreciated.
Thanks & 73,Garry - K4OR
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--
Scott  K9MA
k9ma@sdellington.us
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