[Antennas] Question about element inserts.

Sun Oct 16 01:42:40 EDT 2016

Anyone press threaded inserts into antenna elements, for example, threaded 
stainless steel rods into aluminum such as 6061T6? You will see this a lot 
on heavier "commercial" grade antennas such as Scala and Kathrein.
Is there a "rule of thumb" for how much larger the insert should be over the 
hole in the element to prevent splitting?
Rather than press in cold, how about heating the element to increase size, 
then press the insert in?
I'm picking up a machinists lathe soon and may get an arbor press as well, 
getting some ideas.
Anyone have experience with this?
Thanks.
Kurt 