[TowerTalk] Insulators

[K1TTT]

Just remember, you get what you pay for... and if a material isn't designed
for a specific job then it may not do a very good job at it.  in my
experience electric fence post material degrades pretty quickly in the
sun/rain, after only a year or two the whole surface is nothing but loose
fibers.  So if nothing else you might want to consider some uv protective
paint on it.

By comparison, this material is a bit more expensive ($39.54/5'), but comes
with known size tolerance, tensile strength specs, and statements about
environmental performance.  http://www.mcmaster.com/#8543k11/=3zm45w
And could probably be on your doorstep Monday or Tuesday.


David Robbins K1TTT
e-mail: mailto:k1ttt at arrl.net
web: http://www.k1ttt.net
AR-Cluster node: 145.69MHz or telnet://dxc.k1ttt.net
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: n8de at thepoint.net [mailto:n8de at thepoint.net]
> Sent: Friday, October 09, 2009 20:44
> To: towertalk at contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Insulators
> 
> FYI:
> 
> I discovered a new source for insulator material that I will be using
> on my 80m tower verticals.
> 
> At the local 'feed store', I found 1+1/4" fiberglass ROD with a few
> small pre-drilled holes ... it's designed to be used as an electric
> fence post.  The rod is VERY STRONG and should hold up quite well.
> 
> The cost for a 6' rod is about $6 .... quite inexpensive.  Cutting it
> into 6+" lengths is quite easy.
> 
> CAUTION:
> 
> When handling this item, WEAR GLOVES as the fiberglass is RAW and will
> leave microfibers in your SKIN.
> 
> When CUTTING it or DRILLING it ... wear EYE PROTECTION.  You won't
> like the effect should any 'flakes' get in your eyes.
> 
> Tower/antennas going up next week .. .FINALLY.
> 
> Don
> N8DE
> 
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