[TowerTalk] K0XG rotating tower bolt issue...

[StellarCAT]

Anyone else have issues with the bolts that hold the tower baseplate to the main gear? I went to grade 8 bolts here as to me this is not a good idea to have those VERY long bolts (7”) holding these two things together – and they’re only 1/2” diameter! One of mine is obviously BENT! I don’t know how I could enlarge the holes now that it is together – I’d MUCH prefer these were 3/4” or at least 5/8” bolts. I’ve not had heavy winds here since it went up in October of ‘16... maybe 60 Mph tops. I’m also considering going with a stainless tube – 1/2” ID and maybe 3/16” walls, as a sleeve around the bolts – but it would need to be tight fitting to make any difference, both on the ID as well as the length (height). Another down side of doing this is that the grade 8 bolts are zinc chromate – they’re pristine now – but put them in a tube, what might end up being a sealed system if properly done (tight enough) might trap enough moisture to corrode them (much?) faster... 

Gary 
K9RX