by GreenLake » Wed Aug 03, 2016 4:13 am
The mast casting is loaded primarily on compression, so the screws mainly serve to prevent it from falling out during transport. Having a nice place that can yield when stays are failing is one of the advantages of a deck stepped mast. If you meant those particular screws, and if I've assumed correctly where they are to go, then doubling anything could just cause greater damage should the rig fail again.
Make sure to replace all stays. Best to have them matched and with anything sticking out, that one is a definite "goner".
For spreaders, I had one pull out from a pin and immediately purchased a replacement. Which then failed on the very first trip after installation. Spreaders are a bit different for each model, but if yours is like mine where there is a pin mounted in a fitting close to the mast and the pin goes through 2 holes through a round hollow spreader (and the holes are close to the end of the spreader) then this is a bit of an under-engineered fitting. (After drilling the two holes, there's not really much metal left, so the slightest load off-center pulls out the pin).
There are no off-center loads when the spreader is functioning in a fully assembled rig, but you can get them during raising and transport.
When the freshly installed spreader broke, threatening to ruing another trip before it had begun, I first used choice language, then I used two "tails" from a set of beefy black cable ties that I "decapitated". I bent those into a U around the pin and used a hose clamp (or two) to fix them to the spreader. When working, the spreader rests on the pin with the "good" side of the original holes, while the cable ties keep if from falling off when transported or when there's a load shift on the rig. I added a layer of electric tape for good measure and off we went.
The repair has worked so well, it's still in place a few years later. By adding a bit of freedom for the spreader to flex up and down, not just rotate forward and back, I don't have to be as worried that it might get banged a bit while I raise the mast. I'm waiting for the other spreader to break, so I can give it the same treatment. (I do check the cable ties for signs of brittleness every once in a while...)
~ green ~ lake ~ ~