Topband: aluminum "penetrating oil"

[Roger Graves]

Thanks to all who provided much helpful advice.

I have the KLM 3 inch boom sections apart now. The 20 year old Penetrox coating had done its job of preventing aluminum corrosion, but the castor oil had evaporated to the “gummy” stage, which made the joint too hard for two guys to pull apart. Once I had rigged up a come-a-long to one end and a rope at the other end, both secured to trees and each attached to the boom in two places on opposite sides of a 4 1/2 inch bolt thru the boom bolt holes (thanks David), it came apart quite easily, really not very much tension required. No penetrating oil was needed.

If the Penetrox had not worked, one of the types of penetrating oil that were suggested would no doubt have helped. Glad I did not have to try that smelly PB blaster - the xyl has a VERY sensitive nose!

The 32 ft KLM boom and 3 element 20 mtr monoband yagi attached served as the biggest part of the top loading for my shunt fed tower 160 mtr tx vertical. It worked well but now is history.

73,

Roger


On Aug 1, 2016, at 11:55 PM, David Harmon <k6xyz at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> Hi Roger....
> I had a similar prob with a KLM 20mtr 'Big Stick' monobander with a 3" boom.
> When I assembled it I used something....don't remember but it was probably
> Penetrox....could have been nevr-sieze....but I don't think so....not sure
> that stuff helped...but it could not have hurt.
> The big problem for me was the bolts that go through the boom can crush and
> deform the tube....also there can be dimples on the inside that are formed
> as the bolts are tightened.
> If this is the problem I can only suggest using a toggle bolt...stick it in
> the hole and tighten it down then use a tool...like a pry bar to attempt to
> get the dimples flush with the outside of the tube.
> Also....to assist taking it apart you can rig a come-along around the
> through bolt or drill new holes...put the bolt through and wrap the straps
> around the too-long bolt that hangs out each side.
> Anchor one end of the tube(s) and take up the slack on the come-along....and
> there ya go!
> 
> 
> 73
> 
> David Harmon
> K6XYZ
> Sperry, OK
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Roger
> Graves
> Sent: Monday, August 1, 2016 5:51 PM
> To: topband at contesting.com
> Subject: Topband: aluminum "penetrating oil"
> 
> I need to separate KLH 3 inch aluminum boom sections. When assembled 20
> years ago I used Penetrox on them so hopefully they are not welded together.
> In fact one of them separated 1/2 inch then stuck. Would there be a
> "penetrating oil" that would help to free/lubricate these joints to make the
> separation easier?
> 
> Thanks and 73,
> 
> Rod, VE7VV
> 
> 
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