Seized Forestay Mast pin

[GreenHeaven]

This pin is very stuck!
Perhaps weld to the end to disrupt galvanic bond then cut in half and attack one section at a time?

[wyb2]

Sure it does, click here and attach your image.

By the way, hosting site you used is full of pop-up spam.

What is that that other mystery link you posted? Click twice to download a file? Umm, no thanks.

If you are going to weld to the pin, weld on a hex nut, then use a wrench to break it free.

[neilpride]

The mast is lying on the ground??

[team karst]

Ball joint press? with heat on the Al.

[Jammer]

Method 1: Polish ends of pin with a die grinder. Centerpunch and drill with successively larger bits until the edge of the pin is reached.


Method 2: Use a die grinder and cutoff wheel to cut the pin into three pieces. Jam a demolition screwdriver or prybar into the slots so cut and dislodge the two end pieces one at a time. Then use a hammer and drift to remove the center piece.

[wyb2]

Hmm, too bad I can’t edit my reply now that the original post was edited. Well the sketchy links are gone, so glad I was able to help, I think?

More on topic, I mentioned the hex nut if welding, a similar no-welding idea is to cut a slot in the pin head and use a manual impact driver (hammer on the back type thing) with a flathead bit.

Another advantage to using torque if you can, you will be less likely to bend the aluminum tabs than if hammering or pressing the crap out of it

[GreenHeaven]

Originally Posted by neilpride

The mast is lying on the ground??

No. fraid not

Originally Posted by wyb2

More on topic, I mentioned the hex nut if welding, a similar no-welding idea is to cut a slot in the pin head and use a manual impact driver (hammer on the back type thing) with a flathead bit.

Another advantage to using torque if you can, you will be less likely to bend the aluminum tabs than if hammering or pressing the crap out of it

I can weld a piece of bar to each end and use torque to break the bond perhaps.
Probably best to cut into three pieces first

[GreenHeaven]

Originally Posted by Jammer

Method 1: Polish ends of pin with a die grinder. Centerpunch and drill with successively larger bits until the edge of the pin is reached.


Method 2: Use a die grinder and cutoff wheel to cut the pin into three pieces. Jam a demolition screwdriver or prybar into the slots so cut and dislodge the two end pieces one at a time. Then use a hammer and drift to remove the center piece.

Method one - we are atlking about an 18mm pin that is 4 inches long!

Method 2 - great idea - a little worried about bending the cheeks tho

Originally Posted by team karst

Ball joint press? with heat on the Al.

ball joint press w a 5 inch throat - hmmm

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by GreenHeaven

Method one - we are atlking about an 18mm pin that is 4 inches long!

No one said it was going to be fun. It is likely not necesary to drill all the way through, just past each outside flange. I have twist drills up to 3/4" (=19mm) in my toolkit, with a reduced shank to 1/2", and a 1/2" chuck on my battery drill.

Method 2 - great idea - a little worried about bending the cheeks tho

The idea is that once you cut the pin you can wiggle it enough to break it loose, with some penetrating oil etc. You are then dealing with one cheek at a time and can push the pin various ways to work it loose rather than having to get it through the whole assembly at once. If it's so stuck it bends the cheeks then drilling it out is the only thing that will work.


You can try some gentle heat also. Aluminum expands more than steel when heated. Think in terms of a heat gun or propane torch, not oxyacetylene.

[team karst]

I would not enjoy drilling large SS horizontally up in a chair. At head level or thereabouts. It takes low speed and high force to cut.

Max depth is sadly not shown on this $60 tool.


I have also been surprised at the results of air hammers too. Start with a drilled dimple on end. Heat. Hammer.

[hpeer]

Hate to say it but maybe the simplest thing is to drop the mast. Less chance of screwing up the sheave or your back.

At least then you can do a better job.

Best of luck.

[Ryban]

Before you drop the mast, try a large pipe wrench on combination with heat and PB blaster. Pipe wrenches are designed to progressively clamp down on smooth surfaces as you turn them.

We had a very stuck pin on our bobstay that was not budging. Borrowed a large pipe wrench from our neighbor and twisted it free. You'll mangle the pin, but I'm assuming you're going to replace it anyway.

[The Yacht Rigger]

I would definitely want to take the rig down to deal with that properly. No way you can apply enough force up in the chair.

[Ryban]

I also definitely wouldn't want to take the mast down just to remove a seized pin if I could avoid it. I think you can do it, especially if you use a harness to climb and wrap your legs securely around the mast. At least give it a shot.

If you do use a big pipe wrench, make sure you tie it to yourself in case it slips from your hands. Could be a bad day.