I had been thinking for a long while that the threaded rod supplied was not a great choice for the mast pivot in the tabernacle. Because with use it would gouge the mast.
So when I found that the 10mm stainless rod for the rudder was surplus to requirements (because it should have been 12mm) I decided to make both tabernacle pivots for the mast and bowsprit from the scrap rod.
I cut the rods to the correct length and thought about cutting the M10 thread on each end.
I was prepared to give it a go myself, but it was immediately obvious that the tap and die sets on sale in tool shops or online were not suitable for stainless steel. Special equipment was needed.
So I found a workshop locally that could do it.
I took the rods to the workshop, expecting to leave them there and collect them later.
But the guy in charge did it while I waited.
The main business of the workshop seemed to be the repair and refurbishment of enormous trucks. They were doing something to an aggregates carrier while I was there, using a huge pneumatic hammer. The noise was unbelievable.
On top of that they had heavy metal rock blaring out at an even greater volume.
If the workers weren't already deaf, they soon would be.
Anyway, the guy cut threads for me while I waited in exchange for a modest cash payment.
Here are the rods shortly after manufacture.
I cleaned them up and filed the roughness off the ends and fitted them.
Here they are in place in the tabernacle.
Here is a close up of the mast pivot.
That looks OK!
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