[TowerTalk] Centre Insulator - fiberglass or Garolite rod

[donovanf@starpower.net]

Mark,

I've used Garolite (a tradename for Type LE phenolic) on my 
antennas for 35 years and I've never had mechanical or 
electrical degradations of any kind.

There are two types of Garolite rod: machined and formed

Machined rod is cut from flat plate stock.  As a result, all of the 
grain is exposed to the weather.  Formed rod is wound as a rod, 
so the grain is nearly concentric (like the rings in a tree).  This 
would be an ideal choice where significant voltages could be 
developed across the insulator such as when it bridges a 
loading coil.

73!
Frank
W3LPL

---- Original message ----
>Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2005 09:03:33 -0400
>From: "Mark ." <n1lo at hotmail.com> 
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Centre Insulator - fiberglass or 
Garolite rod  
>To: towertalk at contesting.com
>
>Jim Advised:
>
><<I've used it <Garolite>, and many other similar products.  
The problem 
>with machining is that it's made of glass fibers, which are 
harder than 
>steel, and so, cause your steel cutting tools to go dull 
instantly. (just 
>like drilling or cutting fiberglass or glass-epoxy circuit boards) 
>Interestingly, though, regular old aluminum oxide sandpaper 
works quite well 
>(alumina being harder than glass).  Carbide works too. 
Coarse grit, lots of 
>water to carry away the dust, chuck it up in the lathe and 
have at 
>it...snip...>>
>
>Hi Jim,
>Thanks for the extra info. I'll bet the dust is hazardous, too!
>
>How does Garolite stand up to UV?
>
>--...MARK_N1LO...--