Re: Hollow Mast Plug
Richard,
Am I to understand that you are planning on putting a plug in a mast
that is already assembled? If this is correct, I think you should
instead
consider laying up an external collar of epoxy saturated fiberglass
carbon fiber. By applying the fabric in increasingly wider strips the
reinforcement would be tapered, preventing a hard spot that would
concentrate forces and invite failure of the mast (this would be a
problem with an untapered internal plug, as well). Also, such a collar
would be much easier to apply, and the application of adhesive could be
better controlled and evaluated. I do not think it would have to be
particularly thick to achieve the desired increase in strength,
especially
if carbon fiber is used, but I'll leave that to the engineers to hash
out. On
the down side, the mast diameter would be slightly increased, probably
requiring some modification to the partners. The installation would be
unsightly if the spar was finished bright, as well, but painting the
mast
from the step to the partners could be aesthetically pleasing if the
other
spar ends were finished similarly,
Just a thought,
david galvin
From: Richard Spelling <richard@s...>
Date: Mon Jul 31, 2000 6:24pm
Subject: Hollow mast plug
All this talk about putting solid cores in hollow masts
has me convinced I need to put a plug in mine.
No problem, cut one to fit on the table saw, put some kind
of plug in it just above the partner, stand mast on end,
climb ladder, pour in thickened epoxy, drive plug in.
The question becomes, what is the best way to plug the
mast so the epoxy doesn't get wasted? Needs to be
liquid tight, but easy to insert four feet into a hollow
wooden tube.
Any suggestions from the collective?
Am I to understand that you are planning on putting a plug in a mast
that is already assembled? If this is correct, I think you should
instead
consider laying up an external collar of epoxy saturated fiberglass
carbon fiber. By applying the fabric in increasingly wider strips the
reinforcement would be tapered, preventing a hard spot that would
concentrate forces and invite failure of the mast (this would be a
problem with an untapered internal plug, as well). Also, such a collar
would be much easier to apply, and the application of adhesive could be
better controlled and evaluated. I do not think it would have to be
particularly thick to achieve the desired increase in strength,
especially
if carbon fiber is used, but I'll leave that to the engineers to hash
out. On
the down side, the mast diameter would be slightly increased, probably
requiring some modification to the partners. The installation would be
unsightly if the spar was finished bright, as well, but painting the
mast
from the step to the partners could be aesthetically pleasing if the
other
spar ends were finished similarly,
Just a thought,
david galvin
From: Richard Spelling <richard@s...>
Date: Mon Jul 31, 2000 6:24pm
Subject: Hollow mast plug
All this talk about putting solid cores in hollow masts
has me convinced I need to put a plug in mine.
No problem, cut one to fit on the table saw, put some kind
of plug in it just above the partner, stand mast on end,
climb ladder, pour in thickened epoxy, drive plug in.
The question becomes, what is the best way to plug the
mast so the epoxy doesn't get wasted? Needs to be
liquid tight, but easy to insert four feet into a hollow
wooden tube.
Any suggestions from the collective?