masthead spinnaker halyard bail

[john churchill]

i too am thinking of adding a masthead bail. the masthead has to be drilled and tapped. i remember being surprised at how hard the aluminum mast was when i first drilled and put a self tapping screw into it. (aluminum is supposed to be soft like a soda can, isn't it?) Does anyone have practical experience as to what i can expect when i try to drill the masthead? is that casting reasonably soft and easy to drill/tap (e.g. i can do it from a bosuns chair) or is it going to take a drill press, hot oil,nitride bits and a machinist? (e.g. pull the mast) thanks.
john churchill cd 26 SKUA



jchurchill@erols.com

[Dana]

i too am thinking of adding a masthead bail. the masthead has to be drilled and tapped. i remember being surprised at how hard the aluminum mast was when i first drilled and put a self tapping screw into it. (aluminum is supposed to be soft like a soda can, isn't it?) Does anyone have practical experience as to what i can expect when i try to drill the masthead? is that casting reasonably soft and easy to drill/tap (e.g. i can do it from a bosuns chair) or is it going to take a drill press, hot oil,nitride bits and a machinist? (e.g. pull the mast) thanks.
john churchill cd 26 SKUA

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No drill press John, I hand drilled mine, tapping was no big chore. I did do mine on the ground though....

Dana



darenius@aol.com