[Public-List] Cracked masthead on first generation A-30

[John Birch]

Hi Rachel,

Replace the mast head. Don't screw around with Mickey Mouse solutions. Cast 
Aluminum Heads cannot be welded.

A good fabricator can build you a new one which will be much stronger. 
Photograph every aspect of the current head, measure the exact location of 
every clevis pin hole, and draw it up so the new head will have the pins 
terminate at the same points or else your rigging wire will be either too 
long or too short. Have the new mast head welded to the mast. You can also 
resolve any shive issues you might have had with the old head. Suggest using 
a ruler or tape in each photo so that relative proportions can be determined 
by the fabricator. And have the mast taken to the shop.

Up here we all tend to use Klacco Spars in Oakville Ontario as he does 
excellent work.

I went through this drill - the new mast head will be much better than the 
original.

Your only other option would be to try to find a used head that would fit. 
Shops sometimes keep old heads.

Norseman Spars in Fla might be a solution or at least a professional source 
of info.

ATB

John


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rachel" <penokee at cheqnet.net>
To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 3:15 AM
Subject: Re: [Public-List] Cracked masthead on first generation A-30


> Michael,
>
> Did you have the extruded aluminum part of the boom welded, or was it a 
> cast fitting?  The masthead is cast aluminum, and I'm thinking that might 
> be different in terms of repair or welding than extruded aluminum, such as 
> the spars are made of (?)
>
> In the case of the masthead, I don't see it as being massively overbuilt, 
> but it was definitely stressed improperly by the tangs the PO put on, so I 
> can't blame it for cracking.  The crack is where the forestay fitting's 
> clevis pin goes through, so it's a critical area (the mast is down at the 
> moment on a mast rack, so accessible).
>
> Thanks for your input,
>
> Rachel
> #221
>
> On Jan 21, 2009, at 1:46 AM, <dickdurk at atlanticbb.net> wrote:
>
>> I had a bunch of holes TIG welded on Checkmate's boom and am very happy 
>> with the results. I'm told welding weakens aluminum, but I don't know by 
>> how much, and the Alberg's hardware is really massively overbuilt. Of 
>> course, in my case, nothing was weaker than air.
>>
>> I'd talk with a welder who specializes in bike frames or someone like 
>> that.
>>
>> MichaelGrosh
>> #220
>
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