andyatos
Well-Known Member
Thought I'd share this because the solution was simple and quick.
As per my other post, I got a new connector sleeve for my upper mast but it was an extremely tight fit on the mast. Had to use a hammer just to get it a little ways up the mast and then realized there was no way it was going to work with it that tight. By the way, took a close look at my 2 new connector sleeves, one from Intensity and one from APS, and they were identical. Almost for sure from the same manufacturer.
The first attached photo shows how I got the new sleeve off the mast. I had a piece of PVC pipe laying around that had a 2 inch inside diameter (ID), cut a 10 inch section and used that as a "pile driver" to get the connector off. Very quick.
Next, it was clear that the inside of the connector sleeve had to be sanded. So I used another section of PVC pipe I had laying around (left over from a dolly I built for the Laser) that had a one and seven eighths inch outside diameter (OD), and taped a couple pieces of sand paper, one 60 grit and one 220 grit, to the PVC pipe. See the second attached photo.
With the sand paper over the PVC pipe, the outside of the pipe and sandpaper almost matched the curve of the inside of the connector sleeve. Then it was just a matter of doing an even number of strokes with the connector back and forth over the 60 grit, rotating the connector, more strokes and repeat until I had done one full revolution of the connector. Check the fit on the mast and repeat.
This also was a nice, quick solution. Within 10 minutes, I had the connector fitting nicely. Then finished up the inner surface a bit with the 220 grit.
And here's something interesting I discovered. After doing my first full revolution of sanding the connector, I looked inside it and found that they had been manufactured with a couple of ridges that ran perpendicular to the orientation of the mast. High spots. Those showed roughness from the sanding while parts of the inside surface were still smooth.
Anyway, now the connector sleeve slides easily up the mast. Just waiting for some stainless steel 3/16 inch pop rivets to arrive. I tried 4 major, name brand hardware stores nearby and they didn't have any. Had to order some online.
Cheers,
- Andy
As per my other post, I got a new connector sleeve for my upper mast but it was an extremely tight fit on the mast. Had to use a hammer just to get it a little ways up the mast and then realized there was no way it was going to work with it that tight. By the way, took a close look at my 2 new connector sleeves, one from Intensity and one from APS, and they were identical. Almost for sure from the same manufacturer.
The first attached photo shows how I got the new sleeve off the mast. I had a piece of PVC pipe laying around that had a 2 inch inside diameter (ID), cut a 10 inch section and used that as a "pile driver" to get the connector off. Very quick.
Next, it was clear that the inside of the connector sleeve had to be sanded. So I used another section of PVC pipe I had laying around (left over from a dolly I built for the Laser) that had a one and seven eighths inch outside diameter (OD), and taped a couple pieces of sand paper, one 60 grit and one 220 grit, to the PVC pipe. See the second attached photo.
With the sand paper over the PVC pipe, the outside of the pipe and sandpaper almost matched the curve of the inside of the connector sleeve. Then it was just a matter of doing an even number of strokes with the connector back and forth over the 60 grit, rotating the connector, more strokes and repeat until I had done one full revolution of the connector. Check the fit on the mast and repeat.
This also was a nice, quick solution. Within 10 minutes, I had the connector fitting nicely. Then finished up the inner surface a bit with the 220 grit.
And here's something interesting I discovered. After doing my first full revolution of sanding the connector, I looked inside it and found that they had been manufactured with a couple of ridges that ran perpendicular to the orientation of the mast. High spots. Those showed roughness from the sanding while parts of the inside surface were still smooth.
Anyway, now the connector sleeve slides easily up the mast. Just waiting for some stainless steel 3/16 inch pop rivets to arrive. I tried 4 major, name brand hardware stores nearby and they didn't have any. Had to order some online.
Cheers,
- Andy
