Today was a good day..

[Vipersan]

The rain held off for the whole afternoon ..
Not much sun ..and very windy..
Exactly the reason I decided to start my Carl Reinforcement Antenna Project..
Code name CRAP
All my tools outside ..I made a start ..
Finally got round to using that steel you got for me Nelson ..
Cheers buddy..
Phase one now complete .
No Hamerite as yet ..
More frame to make ..but at least I've started..
Bolted up for now as a temporary structure ..but already seeing benefits ..
rgds
VS

 

[Captain Jack]

A very nice idea. In the past, I filled the whole pole with concrete, which stabilised it no end. Are you thinking about giving it some "tripod" type legs as well?

 

[Vipersan]

A very nice idea. In the past, I filled the whole pole with concrete, which stabilised it no end. Are you thinking about giving it some "tripod" type legs as well?

Something along those lines ...
and possibly a pole lock at true south to support the lnb assembly end ..which will be removeable for everyday use ..but can be fitted only during high winds ..after moving Carl to zero degrees..

 

[RimaNTSS]

CRAP I like it! Heavy metal, good work. Could be more shiny, I mean _INOX.... just kidding now, too much vine.

 

[Vipersan]

..The rough draft is in my head of course ..
but something like this ..
A hinged pole will lift up to support the lnb assembly ..and fold down in normal use..
Let me tell you though ..
cutting thick steel angle lengthways with an angle grinder ..
aint easy ..
lol

 

[Vipersan]

...ordered a couple of scaffolding clamps for the pole upright ..
A 48mm socket to flat plate T for the top where it meats the lnb assembly ...(F132)
A 48mm double socket cross clamp (F119) usually used to join 2 lengths of scaffolding allowing another section to pass through midway between ..
This will hopefully make my fold down pole hinge.
not cheap ...but when it comes to Carl ..
He's worth it
;)

 

[Vipersan]

Lying in bed this morning and chanced to see the FFFffffing weather forecast for tomorrow and Tuesday ..
Was going to have a lie in ..but after seeing that area of deep low pressure ..and possible inland gale force winds ..prompted me to get up and make the structure more solid ..
The tripod side supports now trimmed and bolted in place as well as one of the long South pointing feet ..
A way to go yet bet feel I am better prepared ..
rgds
VS
FLAMING June they call it ..but not for the reasons one normally imagines..

 

[Captain Jack]

Very nice, Evan! Can I ask what type of drill and drill bits you use to make holes? And I guess an angle grinder to actually cut the metal pieces?

 

[Vipersan]

Very nice, Evan! Can I ask what type of drill and drill bits you use to make holes? And I guess an angle grinder to actually cut the metal pieces?

Yep ..
Angle grinder ..
Stand/Press drill ...
High speed steel twist drill for pilot holes and dot puch..
Finally M8 Tungsten Carbide tipped 8mm drill bit to open the holes..
I measure very little ...preferring to cut to length ...pre drill pilot holes ..then offer up to structure and mark through the pilot with a sharpie..
Lazy I guess ..but the holes line up better that way..

A long time ago I decided only to use Stainless steel fixings ..as I do like to be able to disassemble if needed ..
I know Rima is shouting INOX ..but those aint cheap ...so SS it is ..
;)
rgds
VS

 

[Captain Jack]

SS is just another name for INOX, isn't it?

 

[Vipersan]

SS is just another name for INOX, isn't it?

????
honestly don't know Alex..
over to you Rima

 

[RimaNTSS]

honestly don't know ...

How dare you?! SS= Stainless Steel.

 

[sonnetpete]

For future reference : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stainless_steel

 

[Vipersan]

..Am I prepared ?
Well I guess enough got done today ..
I'm aching tired and sore ..
plus split finger ends as usual..
But done all I can for today ....
30 mins to tidy up ..then a long soak in the bath ...
luckilly I have a TV in the bathroom ..so will be able to watch the Test highlights ..
no idea how England have done today so dont tell me and spoil it .
lol
rgds
VS

...and appologies to Rima ..
Didn't mean to insult your religion..

 

[Vipersan]

Not quite ready to shout 'bring it orn byatch' to those Westerlies yet ..but I figure this will stand up well enough ..
Those scaffold bitz should be here tomorrow or the day after..

..then It's all got to come apart again for Hamerite ..IF summer ever comes ??
rgds
VS

 

[Captain Jack]

So it's not going to be fixed to the ground?

 

[Vipersan]

So it's not going to be fixed to the ground?

Well ..
it sort of is ..
clamped to a pole thats set in concrete under paving stones ..
but if you mean bolted down ..then no ..
TBH I dont see it as neccssary..
It is after all just for wind gust stability.

 

[Vipersan]

Got a knock at the door some 15 mins ago ..
My scaffolding bitz arrived
So ..I'll hopefully soon be able to complete the construction ..
Then pray for the sun so I can paint it..
rgds
VS

 

[Captain Jack]

So ..I'll hopefully soon be able to complete the construction ..

Don't wait too long - it's already rusting!

 

[Vipersan]

Don't wait too long - it's already rusting!

..Goes with the territory Alex...
Even I'm rusting ..
Nothing some wire wool wont fix..
;)