[TowerTalk] Stuck aluminum tubes and caution

[john at kk9a.com]

I would be a little cautious about using PB Blaster.  I believe it's
basically made for unsticking rusted steel parts.  I tried Liquid Wrench
once to loosen some antenna parts and it made it more difficult.  WD-40
works well.  I'm not sure how well heat or cold will work as aluminum is a
good conductor.  The only sections I ever had trouble getting apart were
ones that were tight to begin with.  Make sure that you have around 0.005"
clearance between sections before assembling.

John KK9A


To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Stuck aluminum tubes and caution
From: "K8RI on TowerTalk" <K8RI-on-TowerTalk at tm.net>
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2006 14:20:14 -0500
List-post: <mailto:towertalk at contesting.com>

As others have already noted penetrating oil and heat, but I'd add a caution
about heat.

As for penetrating oils, PB-Blaster is one of the best along with MouseMilk
(really). You'll probably be more likely to find PB-Blaster at the hardware
and big box stores.  The stuff works far, far better than WD-40 which isn't
all that bad. Given a choice though and particularly when I maybe saving
substantial money, I'd get some of the PB-Blaster.  Use patience. Stand the
tubes on end so the penetrating oil will tend to drain into the tubes and
give it over night.  If if won't come apart by itself then go ahead and use
some heat, sparingly.

A little more drastic would be packing the inside with dry ice just before
heating the outside.

Good Luck,

Roger Halstead (K8RI and ARRL 40 year Life Member)
N833R - World's oldest Debonair CD-2
www.rogerhalstead.com