I have a straight pedistal guard. I recently purchased new instruments(4) that are housed in the nav pod. I am thinking of also replacing the pedistal guard with an angled one to provide for a better view of the instruments. Is this a tough job? I have to do some rewiring anyway so why not totally pull it apart? Besides holes for the nav pod I will also need to drill and tap holes for my cocpit table. Is it hard to drill & tap into this SS guard? What about bending my current straight guard? Can it be done in place? (I should be so lucky). I believe the angle is about 18 degrees. I also know that Edson sells an angled guard for about $350 and Navpod has one for about $185. Is the Navpod just as good? Any recommendations, suggestions,thoughts, etc. are appreciated?
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Pedestal guard replacement.
Pat, check the Related Link for a recent thread on the subject. You will need a new guard, yours is too short for a bend. Tops-In-Quality( http://www.topsinquality.com/) made one for my Edson for $100. Then I made my own "navpod" for about $10. And yes, it is hard to drill stainless. The hardest part is getting the holes aligned both sides, really requires a drill press and vise to be done right.
Pat, check the Related Link for a recent thread on the subject. You will need a new guard, yours is too short for a bend. Tops-In-Quality( http://www.topsinquality.com/) made one for my Edson for $100. Then I made my own "navpod" for about $10. And yes, it is hard to drill stainless. The hardest part is getting the holes aligned both sides, really requires a drill press and vise to be done right.
Pat , drilling stainless steel requires a lot of pressure
to feed the drill. Allowing the drill to slip without cutting results in work hardening the bottom of the hole. If you have access to a drill press then by all means use it. Tapping holes in stainless is not difficult but it must not be hurried or forced. Last year I had to drill and tap some stainless of unknown alloy for 3 number 6-32 screws. I could turn the tap about a quarter turn before I had to back it to break the chip. Use a cutting lubricant and go carefully.
to feed the drill. Allowing the drill to slip without cutting results in work hardening the bottom of the hole. If you have access to a drill press then by all means use it. Tapping holes in stainless is not difficult but it must not be hurried or forced. Last year I had to drill and tap some stainless of unknown alloy for 3 number 6-32 screws. I could turn the tap about a quarter turn before I had to back it to break the chip. Use a cutting lubricant and go carefully.
Pedestal Guard
Pat I went through the same process last year. I wanted to install a new double bend pedestal guard, but couldn't locates a plate which fit over the pedestal. My buddy suggested we raise the guard up by 6 inches and sleeve each leg with galvanized pipe for strength. I used 3M 5200 and put it all together. It works like a charm and my ST60 Nav Pod is now at eye level. I didn't think it would work, but it looks and functions fine. I believe I had cut two 6" stainless leg extensions and two one foot galvanized pipes for inserts. Greg W.
Pat I went through the same process last year. I wanted to install a new double bend pedestal guard, but couldn't locates a plate which fit over the pedestal. My buddy suggested we raise the guard up by 6 inches and sleeve each leg with galvanized pipe for strength. I used 3M 5200 and put it all together. It works like a charm and my ST60 Nav Pod is now at eye level. I didn't think it would work, but it looks and functions fine. I believe I had cut two 6" stainless leg extensions and two one foot galvanized pipes for inserts. Greg W.
Bigger is better
The advice given to me by a member was to install a 1.25" pedestal guard to allow for easier routing of cables. It's amazing how many cables there are entering into your pod units! I went with the NAVPOD double bend and it came with new base feet but I opted to purchase the Edson Stainless ones. Also you will likely need a new pedestal plate as well to accommodate the 1.25" guard.Overall, a costly project but it only hurts until after the first Credit Card bill.
The advice given to me by a member was to install a 1.25" pedestal guard to allow for easier routing of cables. It's amazing how many cables there are entering into your pod units! I went with the NAVPOD double bend and it came with new base feet but I opted to purchase the Edson Stainless ones. Also you will likely need a new pedestal plate as well to accommodate the 1.25" guard.Overall, a costly project but it only hurts until after the first Credit Card bill.
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