[TowerTalk] Help ID Tower and Dealing with Rust

[K8RI on TT]

On 7/25/2011 9:39 PM, J. Dolson wrote:
> Hi Gents.
>
> I have been given 12 tower sections.  I'm hoping that the list can help me
> (1) identify the tower and (2) offer suggestions on handling the rust.
Although some one already gave an ID for the tower, to me it looks like 
the old American Steel towers of which I've put up and taken down many. 
"I think" they are the ones that they used to compare to the 25G by 
laying them horizontally between supports and loading both towers with 
bags of cement. The "brand X was bent all the way to the floor while the 
25G was still straight.

Although I've used them, I'd not recommend them for more than about 40 
feet to a TV antenna.

As to the rust *most* looked like surface rust BUT there were a couple 
spots that appeared to be  fairly large pits.  You can clean the outside 
to check its condition, but with that much rust that appears to have 
pits that deep I'd have some serious concerns about the interior in 
addition to the exterior.

Although I don't like the looks of that wood and metal sandwich on top, 
that part appears to be sound. The rust on the inside of the sleeve 
which serves as a thrust bearing could be cleaned out relatively easy 
and there is little that does in the way of structural strength if the 
antennas are kept within the proper size.

Me? I'd pass on using it for anything more than a 30 or 40 foot support 
for a 2-meter vertical "that I did not have to climb"

73

Roger (K8RI)



>
> Pictures of a tower section and close-ups of the rust are at:
> http://www.laconic-designs.com/downloads/misc/tower
>
> a. The sections are 10 feet long and have five sets of cross braces each.
> b. The center-to-center distance between each leg is 10 3/4 inches
> c. Weight wise, the sections feel aluminum, but I didn't think that aluminum
> rusted.
>
> Any suggestions as to how to remove the rust and what to paint the tower
> with?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Jim
> k8ddv
>
>
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