I need 1 spreader. Probably have to get 2. From where or should i just get 1 made from alloy?

Heres the bent 1. Just need same as this but straight! Its really nust a round alloy tube which can be bought anywhere. Still need spreader base though

www.rileyfittings.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=123_119

Sectorsteve said..
Heres the bent 1. Just need same as this but straight! Its really nust a round alloy tube which can be bought anywhere. Still need spreader base though

Those Riley units will be too small. That tube will be just a stock item. The spreader base looks OK in the photo, might need some straightening with a hammer on the flat section. The tube is probably a stock size and can be easily welded if required. Just need a friendly pensioner with a good workshop.

Sector Steve
I've a couple of old ones there shearline
Foil type that would do your job
What is the length

Just out of interest, when you have things such as spreaders custom made like in this case, would you use the most common general-purpose aluminium or would you go to the trouble of requesting a special marine alloy?

Karsten said...
Just out of interest, when you have things such as spreaders custom made like in this case, would you use the most common general-purpose aluminium or would you go to the trouble of requesting a special marine alloy?

Def marine alloy which is 6061-t6 . Its harder alloy and Apperantly getting harder to obtain.
Having said that 6061 is a med- hard alloy and 6060, 6063 is slightly softer but would still probably be ok.
I want them to be as strong as possible and want the beefiest,strongest stays, spreaders etc on the mast. seeing as the mast is down and i can work on it at my leisure ill go the extra mile i think.
Got a call back from some riggers today that i enquired about doing the rigging and they cant do it til after xmas!
After xmas ill be in batemans bay!

cisco said...

Sectorsteve said..


Def marine alloy which is 6061-t6 . Its harder alloy and Apperantly getting harder to obtain.

I believe T6 is only available in scaff tube in Aus.

What about getting carbon fibre tube in that diameter??

The upper spreaders were imperial measurements too. I thought about carbon fiber too. These guys are still tryna source the t6 so if they cant maybe carbon fibre. Strong enough?

rumblefish said...
Round spreaders........yuk!!

Sorry but such a simple idea that doesn't really work that well and usually ends up like yours have.

Alot of work to take other one off and put some proper ones on?

Theyre pretty strong though. I bent that 1 whilst winching up the main or jib on the mast winch and the sheet being caught on the spreader. I can see the rope mark worn through the plastic spreader cap. If they were oval - same thing would have happened. I just need to be more aware. Bear in mind these are only the smaller upper spreaders. The lower spreaders are aerodynamic and swept back. I think the round ones are fine for the upper spreaders.

I bought airfoil profile from Taskers. I think It was approx $40/m for the medium size, welds beautifully with the tig.
http://www.taskers.com.au/spreaders

I also buy aluminium from Capral Aluminium and Airport metals. If I just need a small piece I try at a shop that builds race cars.
www.airportmetals.com.au/pdf/amtubing.pdf

www.capral.com.au/industrial-product-catalogue

brianlara3 said...
If Sheereline Yacht Spars in Brookvale 02 9938 4722 dont already have HT round alloy in stock they'll know where to get it
High tensile isn't an option, it's essential. Ht would never have bent the way your spreacer did

Pretty sure that spreader was ht. How would it bend ?

a big fat shag/comrent had a good feed of bream and landed on your spreader ....and fish guts on your deck?

brianlara3 said...

Sectorsteve said..

brianlara3 said...
If Sheereline Yacht Spars in Brookvale 02 9938 4722 dont already have HT round alloy in stock they'll know where to get it
High tensile isn't an option, it's essential. Ht would never have bent the way your spreacer did

I know how the spreader got bent. I did it hoisting when the mast winches were on. My question was how would it bend. Because it is ht and it did bend. Would it bend another way or are you saying ht just doesn't bend


Pretty sure that spreader was ht. How would it bend ?

Have to hit cot. Can i ans termurruh?

Ive got a piece of 6061 alloy. Im trying to use the old base as id like to use the same holes. Problem is getting the old spreader from the base. Its stuck in good. The guys in brookvale decided theyd charge me 70 bucks for trying to get it out so i quickly stopped them from doing anything else and have bought some dremels etc. Ill get it out. Seriously hate getting people to do stuff for this reason. Mast works been successful thus far. Ive put wider sheaves in mast head which was slightly complicated as i wanted to use same holes. All good though after a bit of mucking around. Cleaned all deck screws. Replaced all split pins/rings and some cleavis pins. Got 2 new backstays made and new sheaves where the halyards come out - ronstan wheel-less ones. Replaced all rivetts on all spreaders. Total cost of mast overhauling total about 500 inc craning mast on and off.

Ramona said..
Cut the alloy off flush with the end of the SS tube. Use oxy acetylene to melt the alloy out. Aluminum melts at a fairly low temperature. Give the SS ends a clean up with acid after.

If the spreaders are stuffed , defiantly just cut them off and remove the stubs some how like what was suggested or just cut them out. I usually just hit the insides of the sockets with the sand blaster to clean them up.
Here's one I prepared earlier.



Without knowing the condition of the spreaders in the sockets, I removed them from the sockets without damaging them, had to split the socket though.
After getting them out in one piece they where stuffed anyway