[TowerTalk] Frozen aluminum

[Gary McDuffie, Sr.]

On Tue, 13 Jun 2000 16:10:40 EDT, K7LXC@aol.com wrote:

> 
> In a message dated 06/13/2000 1:02:46 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
> jerry@rchco.com writes:

> >  The elements are "frozen" together at the telescoping connections.Deox
> >  was not common back when they were put together... none was used.
> >  Tried everything... can't get them apart!

>       Hmm. You could try heating the outer element with a propane torch.

Remember, aluminum will melt at a pretty low temperature.  Be careful.

> I'm 
> not sure if there's any penetrant that'll work. Try soaking them with Liquid 
> Wrench. Just don't set the LW on fire with the torch!

Before getting the inside moist with a penetrant, you might try some
sort of "vibrator".  The theory being that you could vibrate it at a
high enough frequency and with enough "g" force that you could
eventually break lose the oxidizing and turn it to powder.  This is what
rapping it with a hammer would do, but will need to be done continuously
for awhile.  The hammer trick might help, but you take the chance on
denting it and locking them together.

>      Here's a thought. You could drill a couple of TEK screws into the 
> element joints and call it good. The TEK screws are self-tapping sheet metal 
> screws. Get the short ones with a Phillips head and it'll take you about 10 
> minutes with your cordless drill.

>     The TEK screw will penetrate both element parts and give you another (and 
> probably better) electrical connection. Then you don't have to do anything 
> with the elements. 

I sure wouldn't use the screw idea as the only means of getting
continuity, except as a last resort.  However, I would give thought to
doing it if/after you get the elements apart, cleaned up, and
reassembled with no-ox.

One thing you might do if you find you just can't get those pieces
apart.  I don't know if you have access to a good aluminum source, but
you could take two short pieces just big enough to go over the two you
are trying to get apart and sleeve the whole joint.  They could be
clamped and screwed (with no-ox, of course).

Gary

ag0n at arrl dot net
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