[TowerTalk] Force12 rivets

[Jim Thomson]

Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2011 16:45:55 +0000
From: Barry Gross <n1eu.barry at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Force12 rivets

On Fri, Feb 18, 2011 at 3:53 PM, Mike Fatchett W0MU <w0mu at w0mu.com> wrote:

> What is the failure?  An element tip?
>
>
Yes - one side of my 15M driven element is now the same length as 10M.

73, Barry N1EU

##  OK... did the 3 x rivets  shear off.... OR  did the ele tip  snap off  due to fatigue ??? 

##  If the tip sheared off from fatigue...replace the 3/8"   OD  x .035"  wall tip...with
3/8" OD  x .058"  wall tips.    The .058" wall tubing is  a lot stronger than the .035" wall  stuff. 

##  Dunno why F-12 used  .049" wall  tubing for the rest of the ele's.   waste of time imo.  .049"
makes a sloppy fit..and requires a slight swedge at each joint.   The new F-12 designs  use .058"
wall for everything..and no swedges anywhere.  Then if internal doublers or triplers used, 
they just\slide right in, no fuss, no muss.....and no swedges.

later....... Jim  VE7RF