Peter,

It’s a bit of a belt + suspenders attitude.  If you take a close look at the closeup photo I sent you, you will see numerous areas on the spreaders and mast wherein the anodizing coating on the OEM model year 1978 spars has failed.  My policy is to always include additional electrical isolation, especially if it’s not difficult to do, such as with the wedge washers under the spreader brackets.  For my mast, a complete paint job would be the real answer; but, I’m not willing to go to the trouble and expense.

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 27, 2023, at 12:05 PM, recorderguy2001 at yahoo.com wrote:




Thanks Roger,
So the anodizing insulates the aluminum spreader from interacting with the stainless steel spreader bracket, avoiding corrosion. And the wedge washers keep the spreader bracket from touching the aluminum mast (also anodized?) again avoiding corrosion. Do I have that right? I really appreciate your help. So many details to attend to.

Peter
On Thursday, April 27, 2023, 10:59:37 AM EDT, ROGER PIHLAJA <roger_pihlaja at msn.com> wrote:



Peter,



Here’s the part you need to order from the Dwyer Aluminum Mast Co.:



                               Wall               Wt     Cost      Max

P/N          OD      Thickness       lb/ft     $/ft     Length

RT 1000   1”       0.065”            0.224   12.74     12’



You could have them cut your spreaders to length or you could order 1 piece and cut it yourself.

Aluminum is easy to cut with a hacksaw or a tubing cutter.  Shipping might be a little bit cheaper with 2 small pieces vs 1 longer piece.



This particular tubing will come with a clear hard coat anodized finish.  This is a thin layer of aluminum oxide (think sapphire!), which is an electrical insulator and will protect the aluminum substrate from corrosion for many years.



Roger Pihlaja

S/V Dynamic Equilibrium



Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows



From: Ric Stott<mailto:ric at stottarchitecture.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2023 6:48 AM
To: recorderguy2001 at yahoo.com<mailto:recorderguy2001 at yahoo.com>;The Rhodes 22 Email List<mailto:rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Spreaders



Unless you want a polished finish, I don’t see any reason to use stainless steel Spreaders.
They are heavy, hard to manipulate and much much more expensive than aluminum, which does the job.
If they are mismatched in color, you could paint them.
I’m only adding my opinion because I spend enormous amounts of time overdoing or overthinking.
Keep it simple -a  Rhodes idiom.
Ric
Dadventure

Richard F. Stott, AIA, LEED AP
ric at stottarchitecture.com
O -631-283-1777
C- 516-965-3164



> On Apr 26, 2023, at 9:12 AM, Peter via Rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:
>
>
> Todd, thanks so much for the offer. I don't think sourcing will be much of a problem. What I need to know is what type of metal I should have and approximate guage/wall thickness. I don't want issues due to dissimilar metals coming in contact with each other.
>
> Thanks     On Wednesday, April 26, 2023, 09:00:53 AM EDT, Todd Tavares <tavares0947 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Peter,
> You can source SS tubing other places. Try Defender or Rigrite. I don't know off hand what I have in the garage, but I definitely have some extra aluminum spreaders. I can't remember offhand what the diameter is; likely 1"? And they are pretty thin guage too.
> If you get in a bind and can't source any, let me know and I'll give you these aluminum ones.
> Todd T.
> On Tue, Apr 25, 2023, 11:27 PM Peter via Rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>    I've decided to replace my mismatched spreader bars.  I've tried contacting Dwyer, but they aren't in a rush to answer my message, so I thought I'd look elsewhere.  My problem is I don't know exactly what type of tube I'm looking for.  I'm guessing these are stainless steel tubes, is that correct.  Would 304 16 gauge be sufficient?  Or should I be looking at aluminium?  Any thoughts?
>
> Thanks,
>     Peter
>
>