Mast pin: corroded in place.

I used a hardware store item as a mast pin. It has corroded in place over the summer. It would not come out even with hard hammer blows. It is sitting overnight with some 3-in-1 Oil applied. Hoping it may loosen up.

Any ideas?

Try rotating it? Vise grips.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Thank you.
Not much protruding to grip. I'll try it.
Maybe try turning it with a punch through ring hole.
I've sprayed it with Blaster. see if that helps.

Cut it off flush with the casting.
Center punch it.
Drill out carefully using successively larger drill bits.
Drive the remainder out using a straight punch.

Worst case scenario, cut the aluminum mast base casting to pop the pin out, then just sail without a pin, or replace the mast base if you want the pin.


sm

Twisted the end off of the hardware=store pin using a punch through the ring hole.
Twisted the other end off with a visegrip.
Blast penetrant not helping.

it can sit over the winter with the masr propped at a 30 degreee angle.
In the spring, I can hopefully remove the old mast base and install a new one.

After drilling out the rivets, should it come out OK?

Don't give up too fast on penetrating oils - they take time to work their magic. Go to your local hardware store and ask for the best one they carry to loosen up seized parts, then apply some, let it sit, try to remove the pin, apply some more, let it sit overnight if needed, you may get lucky and this would save you from having to drill out the pin, or damage the casting.

CRC has a product called Freeze-Off. It has worked very well for me removing corroded fasteners when PB Blaster or other penetrants did not work. It works by freezing the fastener area which causes the parts to shrink, which breaks the corrosion bond and allows the penetrant to flow in. Sometimes it takes a couple of applications.

Torch Used to call it the Italian Wrench ( Acetylini )
Unlike metals corrode hot oil cool hot oil cool Tap it with a hammer
Amazing what will come apart

Any outboard mechanic worth his salt will understand this