Hi Jim, Yes I have used their U bolts and saddles in a number of like
applications. I am presently using 4 of their 3" Ubolts and saddles to hold
my 3" boom to the boom to mast plate. The boom to mast plate is supported
by 4 additional U bolts to hold the plate to the mast. I have never had any
of their U bolt/saddle combination ever slip.
73 Pete N4KW
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Thomson" <jim.thom@telus.net>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, June 14, 2010 7:01 AM
Subject: [TowerTalk] DX eng super duty saddle clamps, new uses.
> Has anybody used the dx eng super duty saddle clamps for attaching a
> boom to an AL plate ???
>
> These are the real heavy duty clamps that consist of 2 x mating solid,
> textured A356-T6 saddles... 1/4" thick SS backing plate
> and a pair of armour plated G-8 bolts.
>
> Normally these clamps are used on the mast.. and flat out won't slip on a
> mast. They only come in 3 x sizes.. 2" 2.5" and 3"
>
> I see no reason why they couldn't be used on a boom as well. I have some
> spare 3" super duty saddle clamps ... and a pair of em on the F-12 340N
> would be preferable VS 6 x regular saddle clamps [ 3 per side] .
> The reg clamps look just like muffler clamps..except SS.. and have solid
> 1.25" wide
> A356-T6 saddles. They are also a lot longer than regular muffler/ u
> clamps.
>
> This scheme of using a single super duty saddle clamp on each end of my 8"
> tall x 17" wide x 3/8" thick 6061 T6 plate also makes for tilting the
> boom
> a LOT easier. My vertical plate is 8" wide x 14" tall [also 3/8"
> thick] Vert plate is held to mast with a pair of 2" dx eng super duty
> mast clamps.
>
> The original F-12 double plate idea is superb. The only drawback
> is..... IF the stock Horz U bolts [esp the inner ones] are too close to
> the vertical plate.... the
> horizontal plate will not tilt very far down.
>
> In my case... the F-12 340N boom must be able to tilt down at a gross
> angle.
>
> BTW.... I also found a new use for the dx eng super duty saddle clamps.
> I use ONE of em for each of my new mast steps.
>
> The 2" variety are exactly 2" tall........ and mate with my 14" long
> 2" x 2" x 1/4" thick 6061 T6 Al steps nicely.
>
> Tested on the grnd... I can support my entire body weight.. just by
> compressing the 2 x saddles.., with my bare hands.... with NO bolts,
> backing plates or steps at all !
> They won't rotate.. and they also won't slide down the mast.
>
> I applied 2 x strips of that 1" wide adhesive backed non skid material
> you see used on boats, [ we used tons of it on Putnam rolling ladder's
> at work] to the top of each
> step. I also applied one strip of it to the side of each step [vertical
> portion of the angle AL step] . The idea here was so my fingers won't
> slide off the
> vertical portion. I also installed 1/4-20 SS hex head bolts +
> mating SS ny-lock nuts.... one at each extreme end of the step. Then
> you can..'feel'
> where the end of each step is right away. 1/4-20 bolts are 1" long..
> and stick up 3/4" above each step. End result is... you can stand on em
> for hrs....
> without wrecking ur feet..since they are 2" deep [ and 14" wide] I chose
> 14"... cuz the mast eats up 2".. leaving 6" per foot.
> On a 3" mast... I would make em 15" wide... [and 2.5" tall on the vert
> dimension of the angle AL...to mate with the slightly larger 3" super
> clamp.
>
> Cost for each step was $32 for each super clamp.. + $5.00 for the pair
> of G-8 bolts... + cost of 2" x 2" angle. [Local metal place had loads of
> it]
>
> I feel safe on these things.. and nothing to rust.
>
> Later........... Jim VE7RF
>
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