So I made an 'alon' style CB mount. I made it from aluminum because I had some on hand and i figured it would be easier to bend. Well this morning I got home and noticed the antenna at a funny angle went back to look at it and it was barely hanging there. Luckly it didnt break and drag the antenna.

Time to go buy some steel and a torch and make a steel one.



For the record I made this, based on Alon's mounts. This was NOT purchased from Alon.

 

man, glad to se you caught that....
kinda not surprised it happened though.... aluminum stock is so brittle and doesn't perform so well after its plastically deformed like that.

 

That might work if you heated the aluminum. When you bent it without heating it you basically tore and cracked the aluminum at that crease. I sent you a pm too.

 

what happend to your name? did you quit modbargins?

 

It actually broke at the 'base' of the twist. When I put it in the vice to twist it, i think the teeth on the vice ripped into it and caused the weak spot.

 

Ya... When you put the stresses on it twisting and bending it, you are tearing it right at the point where the vice ends.

I have never done an aluminum one, but heating it might just work.

 

The other problem with aluminum is it flexes way too much. If you catch the antenna on a tree, it will bend the mount. I had plans to make a steel one, but I was just putting it off.

 

It depends what grade aluminum you use. Aircraft grade will hold up but it costs a lot. Instead of bending it make a piece and have it welded or bolted on to make the 90 degree or whatever you need.
Also never use it where the size is critical. Aluminum swells and shrinks a lot from temperature changes. They had aluminum wiring back in the 50-60s. BAD idea. It would swell when power ran through it then when it shrank it would be loose in the terminals.

 

They still use aluminum alot in power lines and service drops.