Found this inside mast, any idea what it is?

[mtvining]

I am pulling a new anemometer cable and while using inspection camera inside mast, we found this at the base of the mast.

Should I be worried? Looks like a pin to something, and has caulking on one side. It is about 2 1/4" long.

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[mtvining]

This is it

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[Garrettw]

Pop rivet that didn't break in the right spot?

[MarkSF]

I think I'd check that all the rigging has the required pins, then forget about it. I found all sorts of pins, rivets, etc at the base of mine when it was pulled for a re-rig. 30 years of people cutting off the heads of things, and shoving the remains into the mast!

[Adelie]

Looks vaguely like the broken off T-head for a shroud.


Adelie

[PDScott]

It's the stud from a pop rivet

[Stumble]

Looks like a T head to me. When commissioning masts it's pretty common to end up with broken rivets, pins, ect captured inside. Without removing the but plate they are impossible to get out and don't hurt anything so it's common to just leave them. Here it looks like a T broke and fell inside. So long as all the shrouds are attached I don't see an issue.

[Wannabe-007]

Originally Posted by mtvining

I am pulling a new anemometer cable and while using inspection camera inside mast, we found this at the base of the mast.

Tell me more about this inspection camera!

[mtvining]

It is a Milwaukee tool inspection camera, has a camera with lights and a color screen. You can fish it inside things and see what otherwise can't me seen. Comes with attachments such as angle mirror, grabber, and magnet wand. Not too expensive, handy to have. I think these are rivets. I am continuing to study all the shrouds to make sure nothing is coming loose. Thanks all for the comments.



Mike in SB

[dlymn]

When we dropped our mast, we found a bird's nest inside. The largest hole in the mast is less than 20mm. Makes you wonder.

[mtvining]

So true, we are always finding little bits and parts inside and around the boat. We always look at each other and then around the boat, suspecting some where they are still needed in a potentially important assembly....but rarely have I found where the parts go, they appear to be extra gifts from Catalina. I should post an inventory of found items.


Mike in SB

[trapoc]

It's a part of a tool we use to put blind nut rivets in. Some times the rivet is stonger then the too. The tee portion must have been thrown in by a worker. The tee usually stays with the puller

[fatherchronica]

I'm no expert but it looks like a padlock to me

[trapoc]

Fatherchronica i believe you are correct about not being an expert, doesn't it look more like an ink pen?

[leftbrainstuff]

Rivet mandrels

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