Hey guys,
Wondering if anyone knows where I could find someone with the tools/expertise to drill out some corroded bolts - I'm currently stuck with the 30" mast and would like to be able to put the larger size on. Also would be good to be able to pack it flat for travelling.

Paying the price for being lazy and leaving stainless steel bolts in an aluminium mast... I should have known better.

Maybe just cut the mast below the bolts.
Destroy the small bit of mast left on the bolts and rethread the shorten mast.
Or move on with your longer mast.

Thanks for the info guys. At the very least this has confirmed my view that this might be outside my limited skills to fix.

@Yamikuza - its jammed at both the plate end and the foil end of the mast - both sets of bolts corroded.

Have you tried heating the froozen bolt [s'] by way of holding a soldering iron on it till she's hot then just fether it back and forwards for a little time. Once you have allowed it to cool while doing the others apply lube or penetrating fluid and take your time trying to get some gains. Re-lubing often. If you manage to get them slightly free you will be able to remove them. However you Must take your time, winding out only a very small amount then lube and wind it back in repeating this process while sipping cold beer. Good luck.
P.s this process works 90 % of the time and it has saved many of my clients hundreds if not thousands of dollars over the years.

ridgeydidge123 said..
Thanks for the info guys. At the very least this has confirmed my view that this might be outside my limited skills to fix.

@Yamikuza - its jammed at both the plate end and the foil end of the mast - both sets of bolts corroded.

Gawd next time, TefGel and Torx bolts.

If you can still get some purchase on the stuck bolt you may have a chance.

Did a similar thing to my Shinn fuselage - although that was a bolt for the wing rather than the mast (shorter). I ripped half the head off my bolt so had to carefully dremel a notch for purchase but was still able to get it out.

Basically heat the aluminium with a hot air gun ( I tried a soldering iron but it didn't get hot enough) and then touch a candle to the top of the bolt. The wax should melt down through the screw thread gradually making its way past the seized area of thread. It will take quite a while as there is a lot of thread to penetrate but it should be possible. Took about 15 minutes to get my bolt free (only about 20mm of inserted thread). I'm thinking for the larger thread in a mast joint you should give yourself about 30-45 minutes. Good luck.

In VIC
You could bring it to the Foilsport Factory / workshop and I will give you a hand.
4 Bibby court moorabin , PM me if you like