How to blind mount hardware to mast.

[SiXeVeN]

Hi all,

I would like to mount a rope clutch to my mast. Here's the rub... I obviously can't get inside the mast to put a backing plate or even place nuts on the back of the screws. I can't rivet it either as the mounting holes for the rope clutch are deep inside the unit... longer than the head for the rivet gun. I don't think the mast wall thickness is great enough to tap the holes to accept machine screws without tearing out under tension.

Anyone know of a rivet gun with a long thin head that can fit down inside the rope clutch mounting holes (about 2-3" deep and 1/2" wide)

Any other ideas?

Any advice is appreciated

[jrd22]

Don't know what size boat you have but I've successfully drilled and tapped several masts with no problems.

[tommays]

My J24 mast is about .095 wall and will hold #10-24 screws and as long as you use stuff life tef-gel they will come in and out

IMHP 10-24 is better than 10-32 for this type of stuff

If you feel the load is really high then you can make a plate with 4 screw holes and mount the clutch to it and then use 4 screws or rivets to hold the plate to the mast

[SiXeVeN]

If you feel the load is really high then you can make a plate with 4 screw holes and mount the clutch to it and then use 4 screws or rivets to hold the plate to the mast

That is probably what I will have to do. Simple idea...I just need to make sure it doesn't end up looking too jury rigged.

[Hudsonian]

Marsen Klik rivet nuts are an elegant solution. As I recall I bought them through smallparts.com. I borrowed the setting tool from a friend who is an aircrft mechanic. The tools are frequently on ebay.