: Btw John,

: Though it's kinda a pain, you can use countersunk pop rivits then after they
: are pulled tight just file the edges flush. Kinda a pain but it works. You
: do have to drill a fairly accurate hole for the rivit head, I just use and
: oversize drill bit, not really perfect as most drill bit's angles are a
: little flat, but it works well enough. Btw, use aluminum rivits with and
: aluminum mandrel or it'll be really difficult to file them flush without
: making a flat spot on the tube.

: Bill H.

: Bill H.

I remember you telling me this once before. I think I said I have done something similar by drilling a hole completely through the tubes, countersinking then pinging the ends of a slightly larger bronze welding rod into the countersunk holes and filing them flush. I do have some aluminum rivets I could use also. I'll get everything ready today. A cleaning cloth on a stick, a foam brush on a stick and sanding paper on a stick since I will be going 18 inches inside the inner tube. I filled the smaller tubes with blue foam for floatation and extra anti-bending strength of the tubes. This mast will be stronger then Balogh's since the insertion tubes run end to end inside the outer tube. Strength of the mast is something I have been worrying about.

John