Measure twice, cut once. (1 Viewer)

[ambulancekidd]

I've spent ages trying various DAB aerial options on our motorhome with various levels of success, but I still wasn't happy.
So to that end, I decided to fit the new Vision Plus 570 aerial in place of the near to useless Status flying saucer type.
The new aerial comes with a diplexer especially for DAB, sounds ideal.

I measured the placement of the new aerial about 40 times, but still didn't get it quite right.
I eventually took a bravery pill & got on with the drilling, oh pants, first casualty was a cable buried in the roof insulation, much gnashing of teeth with weeping & wailing ensued. In my defence, I couldn't have known that it was there.
It turned out to be the power cable for the toilet light & electric flush, so no major worries there.
Well no option but to carry on, the hole was drilled, so I applied a healthy dose of Sika-Flex & fitted the mounting which I screwed down firmly.
Looks ok, so I popped the aerial in the hole.
Then to the inside, I discovered that the hole wasn't quite where I'd measured it, this is more like Destroy It Yourself than DIY.
The hole was very close to a baton which holds up a cupboard, so now I can't fit the inside supporting bracket without further modification.

Now I need to work out what to do next, all suggestions will be gratefully received.

On a happier note the TV & DAB reception is flawless.

 

[Lenny HB]

Should be easy enough to make up a spacer from wood or plastic.

 

[Googlebot]

This is my go to option for all cock ups.

Amazing bit of kit that will cut where everything else wont.

Amazon product ASIN B00QEBOE0Q
You have my sympathy, I can’t measure for toffee. :-(

 

[Vipar]

Same aerial as mine but mine came fitted when I bought the van.

I suggest that you cut 2 small half moons and screw into them.
I am sure that you can work out what I mean. Not very good at getting my thoughts on to paper.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Now I need to work out what to do next, all suggestions will be gratefully received

Get Mrs ambulancekidd to do it as no doubt she has told you where you’ve gone wrong

Obviously if you are not talking because of this go with Lenny’s idea as that’s what I would do....

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[Googlebot]

This is what you can cut with the oscillating tool. I plunge cut the hole for the strap to perfection. Unusual for me.

A dremmel and patience will also cut the batten away enough.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

This is my go to option for all cock ups.

Amazing bit of kit that will cut where everything else wont.

Amazon product ASIN B00QEBOE0Q
You have my sympathy, I can’t measure for toffee. :-(

Have one of these, brilliant bit of kit.

 

[Boris7]

Option 1 cut the wood away with a multi master.
Option 2 cut the bracket
Option 3 spacer

Id go 3

 

[TinaLes]

I think you will need to make a circular wood spacer same thickness as the existing batten. Obviously, use the pvc round back plate as a template, mark round it, get the jig saw out, then cut a 50mm hole in the middle of the wood spacer. Offer up your new wood spacer mark where it hits the existing roof batten, then cut off the overlapping bit so that the new wood spacer sits flush against the ceiling. Get the Sikaflex up there to seal it and that should do the job, plus no one would ever know you drilled the hole to position the Ariel pole slightly wrongly
Good luck mate
You shouldn't be doing jobs like that in this weather, anyway, just make your peace again with Hazel, she might let you back in the lounge to watch the tele, provided she has control of the remote, now shush! or "Hod yer Wheesht" her fav programme is on its Winterwatch
PS: I am fully qualified to give this advice!...which is why I spend hours in the kitchen on Fun, while TinaL is in the lounge watching HER the tele.
Update: there is currently a stand off as the who is making the tea tonight, well its 9.15PM and no food has passed our lips since lunchtime!
Best wishes
LES

 

[Mikeco]

I would cut the wood away as it’s easy to replace.

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[Sasbo]

For a neat job, get one of these to make a spacer. Cut to a 'D' shape and drill a hole in the centre to fit the aerial pole.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=124328421635

 

[ambulancekidd]

Option 1 cut the wood away with a multi master.
Option 2 cut the bracket
Option 3 spacer

Id go 3

View attachment 461065 View attachment 461066

Nice one but no, I'm still hamstrung here, the top white part screws along the thread on the inside of the roof mounting, so couldn't just cut some off.

 

[ambulancekidd]

Should be easy enough to make up a spacer from wood or plastic.

Thanks Lenny, but just popping another piece of wood at the opposite side of the baton looks like the obvious choice.
The bottom part screws on & needs to tighten the aerial when its in position & if I simply added a spacer, there wouldn't be enough thread to lock it off.

 

[Campervan_man]

Disassemble & remove the plastic ring part with the 3 screws. Remove the 3 screws. Carefully ''cut'' the outer white plastic ring away to leave the minimum diameter screw on plastic ring as to not foul on the wooden batten. You can mark the circular line to cut before removing the plastic part with a marker pen.
You can then screw it on tightening with some parrot pliers { as you have removed the hand tightening bit of the outer ring } and it then won't foul on the batten and will sit flat on the ceiling.
You can also make a thin big 'D' washer with an aerial pole diameter hole to sit under the reduced diameter screw on ring to act as a clamping load spreader plate.

 

[Lenny HB]

Thanks Lenny, but just popping another piece of wood at the opposite side of the baton looks like the obvious choice.
The bottom part screws on & needs to tighten the aerial when its in position & if I simply added a spacer, there wouldn't be enough thread to lock it off.

Looks like you will have to cut the batten easy with a multitool. You don't need an expensive one like the Mikta, I've just got a 30 quid Lidl one, works fine.

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[mitzimad]

i would make a u shaped spaver out of ply

 

[ambulancekidd]

Looks like you will have to cut the batten easy with a multitool. You don't need an expensive one like the Mikta, I've just got a 30 quid Lidl one, works fine.

Don't tell Hazel that there are cheaper ones, I prefer the meatier pro power tools, so sssshhhhhhh Lenny

 

[mitzimad]

i always pop a small drill through first dead center even with a 2inch hole you get one inch of movement ive often thought a great gadget would be some sort of device to line up holes either side of a wall

 

[Just smiffy]

Small chisel and cut the batten to shape, if that fails get the big bloody hammer out... that always works...

 

[Mrsambulancekidd]

Looks like you will have to cut the batten easy with a multitool. You don't need an expensive one like the Mikta, I've just got a 30 quid Lidl one, works fine.

Thanks Lenny......

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[Mrsambulancekidd]

Small chisel and cut the batten to shape, if that fails get the big bloody hammer out... that always works...

That's what I was thinking.
He should just let me at it in my craft room, a bit of wire and big Hammer will sort it.

 

[Just smiffy]

That's what I was thinking.
He should just let me at it in my craft room, a bit of wire and big Hammer will sort it.

You should just be standing behind him telling him how to do it....

 

[Mrsambulancekidd]

You should just be standing behind him telling him how to do it....

If I did he wouldn't listen, men never listen.

 

[Just smiffy]

If I did he wouldn't listen, men never listen.

He will.......


your standing behind holding the hammer....

 

[Gromett]

I would cut out the batton in the shape of the ring to allow it to fit flush. Then add an extra screw to the batton on each side to support it. OR remove the batton once you have cut the shape out and glue it back in to provide the support.

Cutting the plastic ring doesn't seem sensible to me as it may weaken it beyond it's ability to do it's job.
A spacer may work but you would need to find longer screws by exactly the right length. Lot of faffing in my view.

If you have a multitool with plunge cutter, cutting a small bit out of the batton should be trivial.

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[emjaiuk]

Plus 1 for cutting the batten. any cut marks on the ceiling will be hidden by the clamp ring, and if the cut edge of the batten isn't perfect, it can be disguised with white or wood coloured silicone

 

[Sandancers]

Just a hint for the future, if / when you drill another hole in the roof. A non-invasive damp meter can find buried cables, at least ours does.

 

[Nasher]

If I did he wouldn't listen, men never listen.

It's not our fault - we're only men

 

[BuilderBob]

Non-Dremels currently in Lidls, £19.99. Comes in a case with a flexible drive and work light.

 

[Mrsambulancekidd]

Non-Dremels currently in Lidls, £19.99. Comes in a case with a flexible drive and work light.

Trust me, he does not need anymore tools.

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