TOPIC: Stern Light

Has anyone ever taken apart a stern light? I am trying to take the pole/tubing off the top light casting. It appears as though it is glued or press fit on. I would like to replace the pole if you will. The next question is does anyone have a source for the chrome plated brass thin walled tubing. New stern lights come with aluminum tubing and I am trying to stay original. Any help would be great.

Any idea what it costs to chrome plate a piece of copper tubing?
Just go to West Marine and get a new light.

hi ,ill take a look in my garage when i go out for a chrome pole ,but some are different od s,ill let you know,and if its glued in ,try a heat gun but dont get too agressive ,take your time,john

I have a few lights around that seem to have the casting and the pole 'bonded' somehow- I can't figure out how, I don't know if it's a really tight press fit, or if they are braised on, or what- But they are ON THERE. There is, of course, the possibility that they are just 'stuck' together, metal on metal after all those years tends to do that.

I don't know where you'd find ready made chromed brass- You could have it done, but it's expensive... If you don't like the look of the more modern aluminum ones, you can always strip off the anodization and polish them- You can get a mirror finish that's close to what you'd get out of chrome, for a LOT less money. There are also stainless ones out there.

-Andrew

There are all sorts of styles and brands of stern lights, I suppose construction varies from one make to another.

Maybe finding another vintage light is worth considering. Lots of 'em pop up on eBay.

Andreas

i looked in my garage and all i have is 1 aluminum,im sorry,john

Thank you all for the useful ideas. I was hoping that someone had pulled one apart. The reason I think it can be done is that I purchased a boat with a vintage original stern light that the previous owner had put a longer pole on. The poles I have are 3/4" O.D. thin walled chrome plated brass. Like the kind used for some bathroom towel racks or light fixtures. I know it would be a lot easier to just buy a new one or find one something like it on ebay but where is the fun in that? I am going to break one to find out how it goes together and will let you know what I find out. Thanks again.

If you cut the pole about a half inch from the body of the light you can probably crush and fold the pole tube so it can be removed without damage to the light. Then you can fiqure out what held it in place. When they put the new tube on is it bad stuff. why not just cut it shorter if that is what you want?

I have been restoring the Stern Light for my Mark 55. It has the same very bad chrome on a sh*tty pot metal pole that others talk about. I have been mulling over what to do about re-chroming...I sanded it down getting ready to take it in. There was no way to get it smooth enough to put a new thin coat of copper/chrome without spending huge amounts of time and money.
I am a designer and sign maker and found a piece of vinyl (used in sign making) that looks like brushed aluminum. I took a chance and just wrapped it around the pole..amazing results. You cannot tell it is a piece of vinyl. I can get a piece of chrome vinyl and do the same but quite frankly, it looks so good that I am not going to do anything else.
I have more of this material for any members who need the same.

I bought a good sternlight on eBay and the pole was damaged in transit. I found 3/4" polished stainless steel thin-wall tube at the hardware store. It is sold here in Australia for curtain rails or towel rails in 6' lengths. I cut off the old pole, milled out the 'bushing' that remained and used epoxy to glue it in.
Ken.