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Cutting down an alloy mast

Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 1:09 pm
by bragnouff
Hello, I'm considering shortening a mast on one of my Zeeko foils to make it usable on the main flat water spot around. I think going from 90 to 75 would already expand the tidal window and usable area of the spot significantly, without losing too much in terms of performance on flat water.
I assume the threaded inserts run all the way through the mast, and therefore it would be just a matter of making one cut, clean, square and true. How would you do that?

Re: Cutting down an alloy mast

Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 1:45 pm
by Kamikuza
On the LF mast, the HOLES ran all the way through, but I had to tap the thread into it after I cut it.

Cutting it square . . . I did my last one by hand, then filed it clean and square. Worked fine, but you could do it perfect with machinery :D

Re: Cutting down an alloy mast

Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 1:55 pm
by socommk23
I'm pretty sure the thread is NOT all the way through. You'll need a tap of the correct size and pitch and a slight skill of hand to tap it. And as previously stated cut it square in the x and y.

Re: Cutting down an alloy mast

Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 6:47 pm
by NorCalNomad
You just need to get a M8 tap to thread those holes. Don't need to buy any special tapping fluid (WD-40 or really any bike lube would help if you really wanted to)

Re: Cutting down an alloy mast

Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 10:58 pm
by bragnouff
Cool, should be an easy job. I'll probably take it down to the local aluminium profile suppliers with a pack of beers, they must have the right tool for that cut.

Re: Cutting down an alloy mast

Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 11:09 pm
by NorCalNomad
You can do it with a table or chop saw with a higher tooth blade (like a finish molding blade)...alum can be worked with wood tools if you go slow. And as long as your blade is squared up all you'll need to do is debur the edges and tap the holes.