Gestalt's stuck mast thread prompted me to ask for advice

I have a problem with my mast extension.
Everytime I use it with my 400 mast it gets stuck (with no sand at all - it's just a tight fit).
I always have to ask someone else to help me twist it out. Usually it just takes two people but last time it took a lot of effort - 2 booms etc.

Any ideas for preventing this problem? (other than getting a new mast or extension!)
It is a power XT extension, and it's the adjusting collar that is the tight fit. It doesn't slide fully into the mast until I pull on some downhaul.
At least it keeps the sand out!

Look for any marks on the collar that would indicate a high spot where it is getting stuck and sand or file them down a little until it is a snug fit.

Is the extension is too long? As the mast is tapered you can't use a long extension on the zero setting as it will jam. That is a common problem.

If the adjusting collar which sits in the bottom of the mast is a little too big that would be weird

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Windxtasy said...
. . . Everytime I use it with my 400 mast it gets stuck . .

If it's OK with other masts (you imply that it is), maybe there's some irregularity inside the 400. I'd check that out, as well.

What Mark_Oz said.......and this may cause some stress on the mast at pinch point.

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Squid Lips said...

Look for any marks on the collar that would indicate a high spot where it is getting stuck and sand or file them down a little until it is a snug fit.

Wear seems to be even all round...

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Mark _australia said...



Is the extension is too long? As the mast is tapered you can't use a long extension on the zero setting as it will jam. That is a common problem.

If the adjusting collar which sits in the bottom of the mast is a little too big that would be weird

Last time I used it was on full extension, and that's when it was worst.

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Bristol said...

Windxtasy said...
. . . Everytime I use it with my 400 mast it gets stuck . .

If it's OK with other masts (you imply that it is), maybe there's some irregularity inside the 400. I'd check that out, as well.

It is only a problem on the 400, which seems regular and round, just a little smaller on internal diameter... even when I tested it out just then I thought I wasn't going to be able to get the extension out again!

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Windxtasy said...

Bristol said...

Windxtasy said...
. . . Everytime I use it with my 400 mast it gets stuck . .

If it's OK with other masts (you imply that it is), maybe there's some irregularity inside the 400. I'd check that out, as well.

It is only a problem on the 400, which seems regular and round, just a little smaller on internal diameter... even when I tested it out just then I thought I wasn't going to be able to get the extension out again!

Windxtasy, I use these (have a few ) and haven't struck this problem. When you near the local that supplies them, go in and get a spare collar and try that. They probably will have a few as a number return with complaints and or have broken parts. If its just an unusual small dia mast, then sand the spare collar down. Just be careful that the black plastic top in the extension isn't oversize and is causing the drama. Just sand that back if it is. At the same time, if you haven't had the update mod to prevent rope slippage, get them to fit that top the bottom as well (takes about two minutes to fit and is free.)

Thanks Mineral.
It's not the cap on the top so I'll try getting another collar and file it down if it's no smaller.
I don't have a problem with rope slippage, but I'll ask for the other doodad while I'm about it.

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Windxtasy said...

Thanks Mineral.
It's not the cap on the top so I'll try getting another collar and file it down if it's no smaller.
I don't have a problem with rope slippage, but I'll ask for the other doodad while I'm about it.

This you dont have.... now, but give it time, it became a major failing point for the power XT, and North introduced a Product Improvement program to overcome the issue. One headache we have here in Aus, is that the Power XT comes with a 4.5mm cord, and we dont get this here, only 4mm or 5mm.
When the mod is done, its a tad harder to get the cord out for usage each time until it wears in.

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mineral1 said...

Windxtasy said...

Thanks Mineral.
It's not the cap on the top so I'll try getting another collar and file it down if it's no smaller.
I don't have a problem with rope slippage, but I'll ask for the other doodad while I'm about it.

This you dont have.... now, but give it time, it became a major failing point for the power XT, and North introduced a Product Improvement program to overcome the issue. One headache we have here in Aus, is that the Power XT comes with a 4.5mm cord, and we dont get this here, only 4mm or 5mm.
When the mod is done, its a tad harder to get the cord out for usage each time until it wears in.

Would it be a better idea to wait until slippage becomes a problem and then get the adjustment?

Did you get this solved, Windxtasy?

If not, I suggest you get some Vernier calipers and measure the inside diameter of your "good" mast, vs. your 400 mast, to know the difference you're dealing with. Measure also the outside diameter of your adjusting collar. You can get calipers from general hardware stores for probably about $15. They are quite a useful tool for accurate measurement. Google 'em, so you'll know what to look for.

As some indication of ball-park figures, my (Ezzy) mast has an inside diameter of 32.6mm, and (Chinook) extension an outside diameter of 32mm, so there's 0.6mm clearance overall; ie pretty snug. These are for an RDM setup. The relative tolerances for an SDM should be somewhat the same.

Despite the "S" in SDM, I am not sure that there is a "standard". Is this a ploy by manufacturers to prevent us from interchanging components, or am I being cynical?

(RDM: Reduced Diameter Mast. SDM: Standard Diameter Mast)