Bruno Gouget wrote:

Sorry,    this is the new link. 

Please consider the phrase in the cartoon like a French touch! 

Wonderful!  Another for my collection on the doors of the beer locker :-)

David Tyler wrote:

David Tyler wrote:

Bruno,

If you should happen to read this, please could you Google "H M Bateman cartoons", and then draw one entitled "The man who drilled a hole in a junk rig aluminium mast at deck level" ready for the next JRA magazine?

Thanks.

What not to do!

David, I tried the link, but it says photo not there or may already have been deleted :-(

David Tyler wrote:

Bruno,

If you should happen to read this, please could you Google "H M Bateman cartoons", and then draw one entitled "The man who drilled a hole in a junk rig aluminium mast at deck level" ready for the next JRA magazine?

Thanks.

What not to do!

Richard Brooksby wrote:

This might be a good time to ask where I might look for / how I might build a replacement mast. A mast with a hinge is handy for coastal exploration but I've long been a bit dubious about using it for, say, the transatlantic Jester Challenge. A mid-ocean dismasting would not be fun. David Tyler's shock at my hole-making has reminded me about all the other holes!

The existing mast is basically a heavily modified 8m × 100m tube of 3mm aluminium alloy.

Always welcome to take a look at the sleeve that holds Siskin's mast in together - very heavy duty.

Richard Brooksby wrote:

I'm a bit concerned about leaving any sharp-edges scratches made by stainless-steel screw heads, which is why I thought it would be a good idea to polish them out.

I'm much less worried about a smooth round hole, but I'll gladly listen to actual experience over materials science theory.

In the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul world of Aerospace, I have never, in my recollection, sent a part out that has a sharp-edge scratch- they cause stress risers.  I don't think that these scratches you show are major concerns, but as a matter of... I dunno... principle... if it were mine, I would debur and blend them out.  Gently, though, just to get rid of the rapid angular transitions.  Plus, it ensures that you've left fewer micro-crevices.  Probably not necessary in this case, but since you've got it right there and some sandpaper handy...