[TowerTalk] Splicing 3" Boom material

[NPAlex at aol.com]

The technique of ripping a full length slot in a "coupler" piece 18" to 36"  
in length is a well established method I used in joining 12 and 15 ft lengths 
of  3" material.  The assembly technique was to slot the coupler creating  a 
3/8" wide slot.  Using large hose clamps this piece was compressed  and 
inserted half way into one side. Release the clamp and drill through the  boom into 
the coupler along the line of the slot, and secure with #12 stainless  sheet 
metal screws (for the moment only along one edge). Tightening the  clamp again 
the other end can be inserted (liberally coated with  WD-40)positioned, remove 
the clamp, tap the boom together and proceed to drill  holes on the second 
side. On a 36" splice (30 ft boom) at least 4 screws on  either side of the slot, 
and on each side of the boom should be  sufficient.  
 
If the "coupler" material is the same as the boom material (diameter  and 
wall thickness) one must be careful in compressing the cylinder as it may  not 
uniformly shrink in diameter.  I used 3" x 0.087 wall boom material,  and 2.875" 
x 0.087 coupler material.  I believe coupler material of this  size is 
available from Cubex / Tennadyne.
 
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Message:  2
Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:07:12 EDT
From:  Cqtestk4xs at aol.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] splicing 3 inch boom  material

In a message dated 3/17/2009 5:29:07 PM Greenwich Standard  Time,  
w5xz at att.net writes:

I am  considering just  ripping a full length slot, lengthwise of course, in 
a 
couple   of  2 or 3 ft pieces of 3 inch, and stuffing one inside and wrapping 
 the  other 
outside with hose clamps, very snug, pop in a few rivets,  and  roll.

I did just that back in 90s with copies of the old KLM  5 el 20.  It  worked 
really well.  Just don't expect to be  able to take the  boom apart ever 
again.

Bill  KH7XS/K4XS






Regards,
Norm W4QN
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