Adding Mast Steps/Foot Holds

[Jimske]

Originally Posted by rivonia

These would be a disaster. Use the fold out ones=SAFETY

Thanks for the response. No I am going with the ones I am making up. If it is just a matter of safety then my opinion is nobody should go up without harness anyway - I certainly won't. So that is not part of my criteria.

[Jimske]

Originally Posted by zeehag

i have nice woood masts and no steps.

You could use some of those telephone pole climbing shoes with the spikes in them,

[SaltyMonkey]

zeezee just ties her feet together and climbs her mast like a coconut tree - monkey style!

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by Jimske

Pros and cons for each. I guess I am leaning to a stainless hex head screw that will penetrate no more than 1/8 in beyond the mast interior.

All aluminum rivets are much easier and have no galvanic corrosion issues

[Jimske]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

All aluminum rivets are much easier and have no galvanic corrosion issues

Good point. Initially I was thinking three holes - with aluminum rivets maybe 4 or 5 would be better? This is a problem for an engineer me thinks. Too bad my old buddy the late Don Jordan isn't around - he would figure this out for me tout suite.

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by Jimske

Good point. Initially I was thinking three holes - with aluminum rivets maybe 4 or 5 would be better? This is a problem for an engineer me thinks. Too bad my old buddy the late Don Jordan isn't around - he would figure this out for me tout suite.

I am an engineer, but from experience 5 all aluminum rivets would give you the margin of safety you would want.

They can be put on in just a few minutes and if you ever want to remove one, they can be drilled and removed in just a few minutes.

Are you anodizing the steps you put on?

Anodizing is cheap and if you ever seen aluminum mast steps after a few years you will know what I mean. The salt spray will make them look pretty nasty.

Anodize them to MIL-A-8625, Type 2, Class1
Min. thickness 0.8 mils
Sealing in Sodium Dichromate

Anodize may cost less than a $1 usd each.

Valley Plating in Springfield Ma, does all my aluminum anodizing work.

[Jimske]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

I am an engineer, but from experience 5 all aluminum rivets would give you the margin of safety you would want.

They can be put on in just a few minutes and if you ever want to remove one, they can be drilled and removed in just a few minutes.

Are you anodizing the steps you put on?

Anodizing is cheap and if you ever seen aluminum mast steps after a few years you will know what I mean. The salt spray will make them look pretty nasty.

Anodize them to MIL-A-8625, Type 2, Class1
Min. thickness 0.8 mils
Sealing in Sodium Dichromate

Anodize may cost less than a $1 usd each.

Valley Plating in Springfield Ma, does all my aluminum anodizing work.

Never thought of that! Good idea - I will check it out and thanks for the referral.

[Sam Plan B]

I am wondering what the structural implications are for drilling 60 to 100 holes on the P & S sides of the mast. Seems like something is not as strong as it was.

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by Jimske

Lots of good advice. What about the use of various fastners to the mast. Is there a best way?

Jim

AH-HAaaaaaaaaaa! Now that's the issue. That is why I seldem fasten anything to the mast. (start with a wooden mast - - -) I use machine screws, tap holes, lay tape between the SS and the mast, fill the holes and threads with 4200 or whatever will probably keep the water out. Remember, water runs down the inside too.

[Jimske]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

I am an engineer, but from experience 5 all aluminum rivets would give you the margin of safety you would want.

What size rivets? I suppose since the sum of the parts are greater than the whole as the more rivets used the diameter could be reduced while maintaining same strength.

[boatsail]

Originally Posted by Sam Plan B

I am wondering what the structural implications are for drilling 60 to 100 holes on the P & S sides of the mast. Seems like something is not as strong as it was.

We have large hole in our mast for cleats and bolts on the spreaders and the bolts or screws for our standing roigging.....

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by Jimske

What size rivets? I suppose since the sum of the parts are greater than the whole as the more rivets used the diameter could be reduced while maintaining same strength.

I used 3/16 inch rivets for my mast steps and my radar pod mount