Thanks just passing on other's info. Whether its applicable for the tubing
question I don't know. Just tossing it out there for consideration. It's
fantastic on SS fasteners and aluminum.
It's not dissimilar to the auto parts stuff. About the same viscosity as the
typical silicone grease.
Regarding using this stuff. or any other on fasteners...
One of the programs I worked on at Boeing was the PHM (Patrol Hydrofoil
Missile) ship. I was the lead tech on the underway flight test crew. The ships
were all aluminum and every fastener was stainless. All the trades, electronic
techs, mechanics, plumbers, etc. went to a training session conducted by
engineers specializing in corrosion prevention to learn the proper methods of
SS to aluminum assembly. Since these vessels were, as John Paul Jones said,
meant "...to go in harm's way" it was important.
The key takeaway applicable here, is that while putting the goop of choice on
the outside threads is nice, getting it on the inside threads is much better.
The problem with outside only is that it extrudes out as the fastener is
threaded in and that is exacerbated in the finer threaded fasteners with
tighter tolerances. Gotta get it on the inside threads and just pushing a dab
into the hole doesn't cut it.
How? What works for me was courtesy of my dentist when he was lecturing me on
my flossing technique or perhaps lack thereof. He introduced me to what one
vender calls a PROXABRUSH. They come in several formats. The ones I use are
linked below. They are available in several different sizes in the dental care
section of US drug stores and are designed to fit between the teeth. They have
a tapered tip; the bristles are dense and held in a twisted wire that is
ductile enough that it withstands generous bending before it work-hardens and
breaks off. This vendor's come with a plastic handle and a cover so you can
toss it in the toolbox/bag without making a mess or damaging the brush tip. The
smallest size will work down to a #4 machine screw and the largest is good up
to a #10 or 12. Larger than that there are readily available brushes from other
sources. BTW, these brushes work great on the inside threads of coax shells.
https://www.sunstargum.com/us-en/products/interdental-cleaners/gum-proxabrush.html
Usual disclaimer no vender affiliation etc.
GL
Patrick, W7TMT
-----Original Message-----
From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces@contesting.com> On Behalf Of Richard (Rick)
Karlquist
Sent: Sunday, August 17, 2025 10:13
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Aluminum Boom Lubricant: Yes or Nope?
What a great posting, Patrick. TT proves its worth again.
I think this may be the winner. I would like to ask if it is less messy to use
on SS bolts than the anti-seize they sell at auto stores. That stuff works
well in my experience, but makes a big mess.
73
Rick N6RK
On 8/17/2025 8:18 AM, W7TMT - Patrick wrote:
> A product that is the mainstay in the marine world for preventing dissimilar
> corrosion and binding is TefGel. On sailboats the masts are mostly aluminum
> and all the hardware attached is stainless steel and affixed with stainless
> fasteners. The aluminum to SS corrosion issue is well known. Here in the
> saltwater environment the parts live 24/7 in a saltwater fog.
>
> I just removed the base of a winch that I last installed 12 years ago. Its
> location is such that in heavy weather it has on many occasions been washed
> with saltwater coming over the bow. It came apart effortlessly with no more
> torque required than if it had been stored in a garage for that time. I also
> saw this compound used in the aerospace/defense industry where I worked for
> 35 years. In addition to applications that are certain to see saltwater
> exposure, I use it on all SS bolt/nuts to prevent galling.
>
> Might be worth a look to see if it meets your needs. It is a mainstay for
> dissimilar metal protection in the marine world. Not cheap but amazing
> effective.
>
>
> https://ultratef-gel.com/
>
>
> 73
> Patrick, W7TMT
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces@contesting.com> On Behalf Of Steve
> Harrison
> Sent: Saturday, August 16, 2025 07:34
> To: towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Aluminum Boom Lubricant: Yes or Nope?
>
> What is the collective Wisdom concerning the use of an aluminum-to-aluminum
> lubricant (such as Penetrox) between boom pieces, one of which is swaged? I
> am reassembling several older monobanders but using OWA dimensions here in
> the desert (no salt water corrosion). We have nearly-continuous mild-to-heavy
> winds, 10 - 15 to 45 - 60 mph, nearly year round, so the boom pieces must be
> solidly bolted together; yet, I'd like the option of being able to take them
> apart again at some time in the future.
>
> TNX,
>
> Steve K0XP
>
>
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