The only puzzle is the placement for the nutserts for the mizzen sprit on the purchased spar section. The mizzen nutserts are sitting almost a foot higher than on the mark indicated on the plans. I hope to figure out if this is a modification from the plans, or if I need to put Nutserts at the plan lines.
The main mast looks great. I will add the stop collars to each section tomorrow, and then glue them all up this week after doing careful alignement.
5-25-15
I put the stop collars on yesterday, and confirmed that the snotter placement on the mizzen is correct. New sheet had error on that line, old sheet was correct.
June 9 - update, fiberglass mast track wedges
Each section needs to transition smoothly from diameter to diameter. I used Alan Stewarts method for making fiberglass wedges for the sail track. I also applied a little filler over the mast collars and sanded so as to blend in with the ramps. This was not a difficult job to do.
- cut 3" fiberglass tape in half to make 1.5" strips
- cut 14" length, then 13", 12", 11", 10.
- place on a piece of plywood covered in packing tape and epoxy up the wedge.
- apply packing tape to each diameter section of the mast at least 6" longer than the wedge
- move wedge to mast and press in place.
- After it sets, remove from mast, clean up, and cut in half to make two wedges from each strip
- Clean up packing tape and masts with a quick wipe of acetone.
- place in place, epoxy, and fair in place.
Fiberglass mast track wedge epoxied in place. |
Photo distorts, but it really is a straight line in the transitions. |
filler over the collar transitions to the fiberglass ramp. |
June 9, 2015 - rivets
I have decided to join the sail track to the masts with stainless steel 5/32" rivets with stainless mandrels. To isolate from the aluminum mast, I am applying anti-sieze lubricant, and plan to epoxy coat the mast and paint it prior to installing the track.
June 18 - assembly - mast tracks
Attaching the stainless track to the mast is a chore as I do not have a long handled rivet gun. Setting stainless steel rivets involves strength and determination as well as careful alignment of the tracks.
I go the rivets from FAstenal, great selection, price, and service. I have a pile of 5/32nd stainless rivets with stainless mandrels, I am using some plastic tubing (wands from shop vac) as handle extensions to get enough leverage to set the rivet. Every now and then a mandrel falls into the mast, or the mandrel breaks off at the wrong point and rivet removal becomes necessary. I broke one drill bit already. Proud to report that both sails move smoothly along the track!
Just because I could. |
test of track. The joint needs to be very level to avoid binding. A few short raps with a hardwood block worked. The ends did not need to meet exactly at 90 degrees as the plane of the rails had more effect than lateral alignment on smooth operation. |
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar