By TMY Editorial Staff
A mast tang [R42] is an attachment point on a mast where standing rigging mounts to the mast. Tangs may be used for other applications as well. Mast tangs are rather simple to make. This will show you how to do that.
Materials
- K&S 8240 Brass Strip (0.032 x ¼ x 12) or similar aluminum stock
- Two 3/8-in #2 Round head brass wood screws per tang
Tools
- Cordless drill or drill press
- Ruler and square
- Center Punch (automatic)
- File, sanding block, band sander
- 3/32” and ¼” drill bits
- Aviation shears
- Pliers
Procedures
- Cut a piece of the brass strip ⅞-in long with a pair of aviation shears.
- Mark a center line lengthwise on this piece of brass.
- Layout the centers of the three holes.
- Center punch each center mark.
- Drill each hole with a 3/32-in drill bit.
- Using the ¼-in drill bit between your thumb and index finger, spin the bit and deburr each side of the three holes.
- Round off all four corners of the tang using a file, sanding block, or band sander (carefully).
- Layout the location of the bend.
- Bend the tang to ~15° with a pair of pliers.
Good luck and make a few extra!
