I've mig and stick welded as well in the past but I'm not going to be
responsible for someone getting hurt, I don't think I'd willingly try to
tell anyone how to do it either. Too much potential for serious injury but
if someone is comfortable enough to try it, get someone sighted you trust
totally to show you how they do it first, go through the motions cold, then
you can come up with your own ways of knowing what you're doing and where
you are before you actually try it.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Alan R. Downing" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, September 29, 2014 6:37 PM
Subject: Re: US Tower TX-489
>I have a Miller 250 amp TIG machine with a water cooled torch and both foot
> switch and thumb control. It can also be used to stick weld, and also MIG
> weld with a wire feed unit. The cutting torch is a two stage Victor unit.
>
> I am a bit hesitant to offer any comments on using this kind of equipment
> because I would fear someone trying to do it and seriously hurting
> themselves. This is highly dangerous equipment! If you wish to discuss
> how
> I use the equipment, I'd rather take the discussion off list.
>
> Alan
>
>
>
> Alan R. Downing
> Phoenix, AZ
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> On Behalf Of Colin McDonald
> Sent: Monday, September 29, 2014 1:48 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: US Tower TX-489
>
> I was going to ask you about the welding part.
> Can you offer some tips and tricks for welding as a blind person? Or
> specifically what kind of welder you are using?
> I know it's a bit off topic, but not really for fabricating antennas and
> support structures.
> How do you go about using the cutting torch as well? obviously very
> carefully, but I'm more curious about lining things up and getting
> measurements correct without being able to stick your fingers in the way
> lol.
> Lots of clamps and vices and so on I would imagine.
>
> 73
> Colin, V A6BKX
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Alan R. Downing" <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Monday, September 29, 2014 2:35 PM
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: US Tower TX-489
>
>> Hello again Howard, I was my fault for not explaining my configuration
>> clearly. I did consider adding a motor drive to the OEM manual winch,
>> but
>
>> I
>> came to the conclusion that it would be easier to design a winch from
>> scratch. I suppose the availability of parts played a role in my final
>> decision, but it just seemed simpler to start from scratch. The motor
>> and
>> barrel switch are both available at Grainger, and Hub City gear drive
>> units
>> are also commonly available, so everything I needed was easy to get. I
>> own
>> a welder and cutting torch, so fabrication was not a problem, so I
>> started
>> out down my own path and ended up with a very powerful electric winch.
>>
>> Alan
>>
>>
>> Alan R. Downing
>> Phoenix, AZ
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: For blind ham radio operators
>> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>> On Behalf Of Howard, W A 9 Y B W
>> Sent: Monday, September 29, 2014 12:57 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: US Tower TX-489
>>
>> OK Alan,
>>
>> I was assuming you were using your motorized modification to turn the
>> existing winch supplied by U S Tower.
>>
>> See what happens when one assumes?
>>
>> Howard
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Alan R. Downing" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Monday, September 29, 2014 2:37 PM
>> Subject: Re: US Tower TX-489
>>
>>
>>> Howard, perhaps I wasn't clear. If I make my own winch for the TX-489,
>>> I
>>> will build it just as I built the one for my present tower. It has a 2
>>> HP
>>> bi-directional motor turning a small diameter pulley for a V-belt. The
>>> other end of the belt turns a significantly larger diameter pulley and a
>>> 90
>>> degree Hub City jack screw transmission. The output shaft of the
>>> transmission turns a drum for the 5/16 inch stainless aircraft cable(AKA
>>> wire rope). When I turn off the juice while lowering the tower, the
>>> motor
>>> of course slows down, and the 90 degree jack screw transmission slows
>>> down
>>> with it. Once stopped, which takes circa 1 second, the drum can no
>>> longer
>>> turn because of the jack screw. Hence no need for a friction brake. I
>>> haven't looked to see what US Tower gets for their motorized winch, but
>>> I
>>> can build a copy of the one I currently have on my present tower for
>>> about
>>> $1200, the most expensive piece being the Hub City 90 degree tranny.
>>>
>>> Alan
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Alan R. Downing
>>> Phoenix, AZ
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: For blind ham radio operators
>>> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>>> On Behalf Of Howard, W A 9 Y B W
>>> Sent: Monday, September 29, 2014 12:06 PM
>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>> Subject: Re: US Tower TX-489
>>>
>>> Alan,
>>>
>>> Unless US Tower is using a different winch than I have, it is not the
>>> type
>>> with a jack screw.
>>>
>>> Howard
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Alan R. Downing" <[log in to unmask]>
>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>> Sent: Monday, September 29, 2014 1:28 PM
>>> Subject: Re: US Tower TX-489
>>>
>>>
>>>> Howard, The winch on my 75 foot tower doesn't have a friction brake.
>>>> All
>>>> braking is handled by the jack screw. It is impossible to turn a jack
>>>> screw
>>>> backwards, so as the motor slows down, which it does in less than a
>>>> second,
>>>> the braking takes place. I would use the same arrangement on the
>>>> TX-489's
>>>> winch.
>>>>
>>>> Alan
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Alan R. Downing
>>>> Phoenix, AZ
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: For blind ham radio operators
>>>> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>>>> On Behalf Of Howard, W A 9 Y B W
>>>> Sent: Monday, September 29, 2014 10:06 AM
>>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>>> Subject: Re: US Tower TX-489
>>>>
>>>> Alan,
>>>>
>>>> If you decide to add your own motor and gearbox to the hand winch, I
>>>> need
>>>> to
>>>>
>>>> caution you about something. You will need to be careful when lowering
>>>> the
>>>> tower because the friction brake in the winch will seriously overheat
>>>> if
>>>> you
>>>>
>>>> come all the way down in one operation. You will need to break the
>>>> lowering
>>>>
>>>> up in to several shorter periods of time interlaced with a cool-down
>>>> time
>>>> for the brake wafers.
>>>>
>>>> Howard #3, W A 9 Y B W
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "Alan R. Downing" <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> Sent: Sunday, September 28, 2014 2:45 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: US Tower TX-489
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Hello again Howard. You describe precisely what I employ on my
>>>>> present
>>>>> 75
>>>>> foot motorized crankup. I had a sighted friend run the tower up to
>>>>> the
>>>>> point where the first moveable section, namely the second section of
>>>>> the
>>>>> tower, was 12 inches from hitting the upper stop. We then tied a rope
>>>>> from
>>>>> the bottom rung of that second section of tower, to a rung on the
>>>>> bottom
>>>>> section at about waiste high. I simply feel the rope being pulled
>>>>> thru
>>>>> my
>>>>> left hand, and when it is almost tight I stop the winch and run it up
>>>>> the
>>>>> last several inches by turning the pulleys by hand. I am only giving
>>>>> up
>>>>> about 1 foot in over all height by doing it this way, and no excessive
>>>>> stress is applied to the 5/16 inch stainless aircraft cable.. I can
>>>>> do
>>>>> this
>>>>> US tower the exact same way. I have the makings of two limit
>>>>> switches,
>>>>> but
>>>>> the effort needed to make it all work isn't worth it to me. Call me
>>>>> lazy,
>>>>> HiHi.
>>>>>
>>>>> Alan
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Alan R. Downing
>>>>> Phoenix, AZ
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: For blind ham radio operators
>>>>> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>>>>> On Behalf Of Howard, W A 9 Y B W
>>>>> Sent: Sunday, September 28, 2014 12:21 PM
>>>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>>>> Subject: Re: US Tower TX-489
>>>>>
>>>>> Alan,
>>>>>
>>>>> One disadvantage of the home made motorized winch is the lack of limit
>>>>> switches, however, I'm sure with a little ingenuity something could be
>>>>> fabricated.
>>>>>
>>>>> In lieu of limit switches, one could attach a piece of rope to the
>>>>> bottom
>>>>> of
>>>>>
>>>>> the top section, crank the tower most of the way up, stopping perhaps
>>>>> three
>>>>> or four feet short,put a knot in the rope at a point, say at the
>>>>> height
>>>>> of
>>>>> the winch and when the knot gets to that point, you would stop the
>>>>> motor
>>>>> having the three or four feet of safety room. On an eighty-nine foot
>>>>> tower
>>>>> the four feet of safety height would only amount to about twelve
>>>>> inches
>>>>> before the second section from the bottom would hit the stop. This
>>>>> stop
>>>>> offers plenty of resistance that can be felt when using a manual
>>>>> winch,
>>>>> however, with a motorized winch without safety switches, it would be
>>>>> hard
>>>>> to
>>>>>
>>>>> detect that you have hit the stop thus now stressing the whole system
>>>>> including possibly breaking the cable or winch. That is why I suggest
>>>>> the
>>>>> three to four feet of safety room which might be better if six to
>>>>> eight
>>>>> feet. Eighty-one feet of antenna height verses the eighty nine
>>>>> wouldn't
>>>>> make any difference and you have plenty of safety room to stop your
>>>>> motor.
>>>>>
>>>>> Just some thoughts.
>>>>>
>>>>> Howard #3, W A 9 Y B W
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "Alan R. Downing" <[log in to unmask]>
>>>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>>>> Sent: Sunday, September 28, 2014 9:05 AM
>>>>> Subject: Re: US Tower TX-489
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hello Howard, thanks for your input. I can easily fabricate a
>>>>>> motorized
>>>>>> winch by buying a 1 or 2 HP Grainger motor and a 90 degree
>>>>>> transmission
>>>>>> from
>>>>>> Hub City in Oowa and some pieces of steel. Stick weld the whole
>>>>>> contraption
>>>>>> together and bingo, a custom built electric winch. I have done that
>>>>>> very
>>>>>> thing before, but I have gotten lazy in my 64 years on this planet,
>>>>>> Hi.
>>>>>> I
>>>>>> will check prices with US Tower, and make up my mind. I could
>>>>>> certainly
>>>>>> put
>>>>>> up the tower with the manual winch, then fabricate the electric winch
>>>>>> afterwards and make the switch.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Best 73
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Alan
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Alan R. Downing
>>>>>> Phoenix, AZ
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: For blind ham radio operators
>>>>>> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>>>>>> On Behalf Of Howard, W A 9 Y B W
>>>>>> Sent: Sunday, September 28, 2014 4:44 AM
>>>>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>>>>> Subject: Re: US Tower TX-489
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Alan,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I don't have that specific tower from US Tower, however, I have the
>>>>>> HDX-572.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Actually my tower was manufactured by Trusteo Tower which was
>>>>>> purchased
>>>>>> by
>>>>>> US Tower sometime in the mid to late eighties I believe.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The HDX-572 is 72 feet fully extended and is four sections instead of
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> five for the TX-489.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> When I purchased the tower in 1978 I couldn't afford the electric
>>>>>> winch
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> went with the manual Fulton.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> We have a lot of wind and storms here in central Illinois and if I
>>>>>> did
>>>>>> it
>>>>>> again, I would purchase the electric winch. I'm not sure you can buy
>>>>>> this
>>>>>> tower with a manual winch any longer, only the electric.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> As for cranking it up and down, it isn't really that bad. Obviously
>>>>>> coming
>>>>>> down is easier than going up. I haven't really timed it but I can
>>>>>> probably
>>>>>> go full height in under thirty minutes with a few short one or two
>>>>>> minute
>>>>>> breaks.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If it wasn't such a hassle to get all the antennas down, remove and
>>>>>> pour
>>>>>> a
>>>>>> new foundation, I would consider replacing the tower with the
>>>>>> motorized
>>>>>> HDX-572. I don't even know if there is a company I could hire to do
>>>>>> it
>>>>>> or
>>>>>> not.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If you have no need to raise or lower more than one or two times a
>>>>>> year,
>>>>>> probably not worth it.
>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Howard #3, W A 9 Y B W
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>> From: "Alan R. Downing" <[log in to unmask]>
>>>>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>>>>> Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2014 7:32 PM
>>>>>> Subject: US Tower TX-489
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Does anyone on the list have a TX-489 tower by US Towers? If so,
>>>>>>> I'd
>>>>>>> like
>>>>>>> to know if you use a manual winch, or the optional motorized winch.
>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>> plan
>>>>>>> to put this tower up when the WX turns cooler, but I need to decide
>>>>>>> now
>>>>>>> whether to buy the motorized winch for it or not. I don't raise and
>>>>>>> lower
>>>>>>> my tower very often, so I am not concerned about how long it takes
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> fully
>>>>>>> lower or raise it, just how much work it takes.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thanks for any suggestions.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Alan
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Alan R. Downing
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Phoenix, AZ
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
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