[Tower-Speak] Hardware suppliers ???

[W3HKK at aol.com]

Based on my self supporting aluminum tower which lasted 22 years til I ran  
into zoning restrictions and had to sell it, the first place Id look would be 
at  the base hinge bolts and each section bolts and holes.    These  are the 
max stress  areas and can produce enlargement of the holes AND  reduction in the 
bold diameter from rubbing.  You cant tell til you pull  them out just how 
good or bad they are.  Drilling out the hole slightly to  accept the next size 
bolt might be in order.  The snugger the fit the less  movement the less wear.  
 
Next would be to look for  a cracked weld on the z braces than run up  each 
side of the tower section.
Bob