[TowerTalk] Mast diameter

[Howard Hoyt]

A big thank-you to all who replied off-list.  I agree with all that what 
I have is a 20' long piece of Schedule 80 water pipe...the odd thing - 
it is stainless.  Outside for 6 years with me, and maybe that many in 
it's previous life and it still looks shiny with a nickel color.  Given 
the stupidly high cost of what is in actuality an inferior mast 
material, the best I could guess is the guy I bought it from must have 
just had it laying around.  It is most likely adequate for the rebuilt 
Force 12 C4XL I am putting up.

I appreciate those who suggested shimming the 1.9" mast diameter to meet 
the 2.0" clamp diameter, I'll most likely do exactly that.  16 gauge 
aluminum or 18 gauge galvanized or stainless steel at ~0.05" thick 
should work out just right.

On a different subject, I have been rebuilding that Force 12 C4XL, and 
if anyone needs some Alumiweld wire to rebuild their linear loading 
system on the EF240 elements, let me know.  I bought a 100' roll but 
only need 40' from it, so I'd be glad to send the remainder your way for 
a very nominal charge.  It is 0.080" in diameter, which would be 12 
gauge in aluminum wire size or 13.5 gauge in steel wire size.  It is 
extremely stiff and tough to work, but will serve well in that combo 
linear loading/truss application.

Thanks all, and happy holidays!

Howie - WA4PSC




On 12/23/2015 2:18 PM, Howard Hoyt wrote:
> TTalkians,
>
> I have a 20' long steel mast (looks like chrome moly) with 0.25" 
> walls, which until today I assumed was 2" in diameter.  I had taken it 
> down from the tower where it was in service, so at the time I assumed 
> (!!!!) it was made to be a mast.  Today I tried a 2" DX Engineering 
> mast clamp on it and it was loose.  I did what I should have done a 
> long time ago and measured the mast with dial calipers, and found the 
> actual diameter is 1.903"...!!
>
> As a result I have queries for all you experts:
> 1) What do I have?
> 2) What is the best clamping gear available for that mast size?
>
> Thanks all for sharing your expertise and have a great holiday weekend!
>
> Howie - WA4PSC