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Shorten your alu-foil-mast DIY Clip

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alex 1
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Shorten your alu-foil-mast DIY Clip

Postby alex 1 » Wed Dec 09, 2020 5:35 pm

Hi,

i made a short clip how to shorten your aluminium foil-mast,

njoy
LXT
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pākihiroa (Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:24 pm)
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pākihiroa
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Re: Shorten your alu-foil-mast DIY Clip

Postby pākihiroa » Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:38 pm

This clip is very timely because I have thinking about shortening my mast. Any comments on the following alternative approaches:

(1) Using a cross slide and mill (paying careful attention to alignment) ?
(2) Using a 'multi-purpose' or specialised aluminium blade in a mitre saw ? Presumably, a lot quicker.

I realise that not everyone has access to either of these tools but, if available, why not use them if they have the potential to do a better job ?

My foil is also a Gong (M6 x 1 mm threads), Did you find it necessary to drill the holes prior to tapping ?

pākihiroa
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Re: Shorten your alu-foil-mast DIY Clip

Postby pākihiroa » Mon Dec 14, 2020 11:15 am

Update: I decided that clamping and aligning the mast in the mill was going to be problematic and instead purchased a Bosch 10", 80 tooth, 'multi-material' blade for my mitre saw. It is rated to cut aluminium, plastic, chipboard, MDF, and copper. In contrast to a conventional wood blade, the teeth are raked backwards and every second tooth has bevels rather than being square.

Image

Albeit rather costly for a one off job, this approach produced a beautiful, square, clean cut with zero drama and I would recommend it to anyone wishing to shorten their mast.

The holes in the Gong mast are 5 mm, which is the recommended diameter for an M6 x 1 mm tap into aluminium. So, no drilling required.

Maybe this is all common knowledge for most on this forum but it was definitely learn as you go for me.

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Re: Shorten your alu-foil-mast DIY Clip

Postby Surfkiternew » Mon Dec 14, 2020 12:47 pm

Trend Is 60 70 around for wave ? I see people even short than60 now...probably more difficult in choppy water but fun

Gerwinnaar
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Re: Shorten your alu-foil-mast DIY Clip

Postby Gerwinnaar » Wed Jan 17, 2024 11:32 am

Hi, anyone can recommend a handtap m6 that can go deep enough?

In the movie in this topic he modifies a “normal” tap, but I prefer to find one that is build for this purpose.

I successfully shortened my mast from 95 to 75cm, but now I can only get my hands on handtaps that only go 20-25mm deep. I thought I found a good one where the m6 was wider than the shaft of the tap, but the image of the seller was incorrect.

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Re: Shorten your alu-foil-mast DIY Clip

Postby faklord » Wed Jan 17, 2024 6:27 pm

Gerwinnaar wrote:
Wed Jan 17, 2024 11:32 am
Hi, anyone can recommend a handtap m6 that can go deep enough?

In the movie in this topic he modifies a “normal” tap, but I prefer to find one that is build for this purpose.

I successfully shortened my mast from 95 to 75cm, but now I can only get my hands on handtaps that only go 20-25mm deep. I thought I found a good one where the m6 was wider than the shaft of the tap, but the image of the seller was incorrect.
Do an eBay search for m6 long tap.
This is an example: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265702088554 ... media=COPY

Shank is 5mm which is the same size as an m6 tapping drill. Should be ok.
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Gerwinnaar (Wed Jan 17, 2024 7:51 pm)
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Gerwinnaar
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Re: Shorten your alu-foil-mast DIY Clip

Postby Gerwinnaar » Wed Jan 17, 2024 8:26 pm

faklord wrote:
Wed Jan 17, 2024 6:27 pm
Gerwinnaar wrote:
Wed Jan 17, 2024 11:32 am
Hi, anyone can recommend a handtap m6 that can go deep enough?

In the movie in this topic he modifies a “normal” tap, but I prefer to find one that is build for this purpose.

I successfully shortened my mast from 95 to 75cm, but now I can only get my hands on handtaps that only go 20-25mm deep. I thought I found a good one where the m6 was wider than the shaft of the tap, but the image of the seller was incorrect.
Do an eBay search for m6 long tap.
This is an example: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265702088554 ... media=COPY

Shank is 5mm which is the same size as an m6 tapping drill. Should be ok.
Thanks! The example was helpful. I found one that delivers to the Netherlands as well.


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