Bones 0 #1 April 5, 2007 Can I pick up parachute-quality french links for type 17 mini-risers at my local Home Depot? If so, what size? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #2 April 5, 2007 I'm not a rigger, I just play one on TV, so discount whatever I say, as it's all second-hand. First, local riggers tell me that the Home Depot fast/rapide links are cheap Chinese steel, and aren't built for consistency. They also tend to fail early, and one local rigger claims it's a fast way to experience a mal. Second, even marginally overtightening the barrel supposedly will split the barrel once pressure is applied to the top/bottom of the link. Riggers here use only fairly expensive links from a couple of sources; maybe they do this just to sell the more expensive part, but I somewhat doubt this is their motivation. I can't imagine that a couple extra bucks is worth the hassle they go through to get them if they could get them at Home Depot. For climbing, there was a climber killed some years ago using a cheap (asian?) fast link, and an article was written about the testing load between Maillon rings and cheap junker rings. There was a huge difference in that the cheap links broke well before their rated strength and the Maillon links broke far beyond their rated strength. I'd assume this is the same issue with deployment. I'm sure someone more informed than I will chime in. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougH 270 #3 April 5, 2007 Unless they are stamped, rated, and authentic I wouldn't jump it!! I have had bad experiences with graded metric bolts at the big box home improvement stores, I can only imagine similar problems with rigging materials!! "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #4 April 5, 2007 QuoteCan I pick up parachute-quality french links for type 17 mini-risers at my local Home Depot? If so, what size? Often you can, BUT you need to get genuine Maillon Rapide links. Take a magnifying glass and look at the stamping on the links. Do NOT use anything other than the real deal. For real I've seen one of the cheap links fail on a short-delay BASE jump. The link came *open* severely deformed, but luckily, the lines barely stayed on. Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #5 April 5, 2007 QuoteUnless they are stamped, rated, and authentic I wouldn't jump it!! Absolutely Right!!!! Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #6 April 5, 2007 Quote Unless they are stamped, rated, and authentic I wouldn't jump it!! I have had bad experiences with graded metric bolts at the big box home improvement stores, I can only imagine similar problems with rigging materials!! Shocked Why should I buy new French links ? Soft links are better. I have 3 sets of hard links on 2 gears. I have no plan to change them. If I have to change them I'd go for soft links. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bones 0 #7 April 5, 2007 I might go with the soft links since they came with the canopy, but I admit they freak me out a little. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #8 April 5, 2007 Quote I might go with the soft links since they came with the canopy, but I admit they freak me out a little. For what? I've read somewhere that narrow risers would give up and fail earlier than soft links. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #9 April 5, 2007 QuoteQuote Unless they are stamped, rated, and authentic I wouldn't jump it!! I have had bad experiences with graded metric bolts at the big box home improvement stores, I can only imagine similar problems with rigging materials!! Shocked Why should I buy new French links ? Soft links are better. I have 3 sets of hard links on 2 gears. I have no plan to change them. If I have to change them I'd go for soft links. I love Soft links, but to play devils advocate they have a problem that French links don't. They wear.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #10 April 5, 2007 QuoteI love Soft links, but to play devils advocate they have a problem that French links don't. They wear. It should be easier to inspect lines than a metal thingy for wear. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #11 April 5, 2007 How many jumpers do you think inspect theirs?---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #12 April 5, 2007 Quote How many jumoers do you think inspect theirs? How many riggers are jumping? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bones 0 #13 April 5, 2007 When I first pulled the slinks out of the bag and played with them I didn't think that they "locked" very securely. Come on--slip a loop, pull a tab? However, when I tried to take them apart I realized what an elegant and sturdy "knot" they made. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyL 0 #14 April 5, 2007 Don't do it. Order them from parachute manufacturer or paragear if using links for parachute. Your talking about the metal links, right? The name on the link is 'Mallion Rapide' with a number. size for main canopy can be #3.5 or #4 stainless steel. Also get silicone bumpers correctly sized for the link from who you order from. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fcajump 164 #15 April 5, 2007 QuoteFor climbing... and an article was written about the testing load between Maillon rings and cheap junker rings. Would like to know where to find that article. Jim Rigger And I, for one, use ONLY Maillon links when using hard links.Always remember that some clouds are harder than others... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #16 April 5, 2007 I googled for it just a bit ago, and can't find the article (I saw this in a print mag a couple years back, not online) but did find quite a bit of discussion about the subject on the cascadeclimbing.com community site. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougH 270 #17 April 5, 2007 Quote Why should I buy new French links ? Soft links are better. Buy what ever you want, the OP asked about metal rapide links. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #18 April 5, 2007 Use Maillon Rapide number 3.5 for mains with small diameter suspension lines (Spectra, Vectran, HMA, but not Dacron). Use Maillon Rapide number 4 links on Performance Designs reserves. Use Maillon Rapide number 5 links on most other mains. Use Maillon Rapide number 6 links on tandem mains. Sometimes you can buy genuine Maillon Rapide links at your local hardware store, but you have to look closely. The key is finding the words "Maillon Rapide" stamped on the shaft, opposite the screw-in barrel. Stainless steel Maillon Rapide links will also have the word "inox" stamped on the shaft, while zinc-plated links will have "France" stamped on the shaft. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #19 April 5, 2007 QuoteUse Maillon Rapide number 3.5 for mains with small diameter suspension lines (Spectra, Vectran, HMA, but not Dacron). Use Maillon Rapide number 4 links on Performance Designs reserves. Use Maillon Rapide number 5 links on most other mains. Use Maillon Rapide number 6 links on tandem mains. Sometimes you can buy genuine Maillon Rapide links at your local hardware store, but you have to look closely. The key is finding the words "Maillon Rapide" stamped on the shaft, opposite the screw-in barrel. Stainless steel Maillon Rapide links will also have the word "inox" stamped on the shaft, while zinc-plated links will have "France" stamped on the shaft. At least THESE sentences ***Use Maillon Rapide number 3.5 for mains with small diameter suspension lines (Spectra, Vectran, HMA, but not Dacron). Use Maillon Rapide number 4 links on Performance Designs reserves. *** SHOULD have the word STAINLESS in them! They all probably should, I'd have to check on tandems. And number 4 stainless are the MINIMUM for PD reserves. MOST hardware stores and big box improvement stores do NOT have Maillon Rapide links. But I have found them at a local superstore similar to Walmart. But, some suppliers to the parachute industry pull test each link and tumble them to ensure no sharp burrs. Be very carefull changing links. I've seen many risers damaged by the sharp burrs on the threads. Order what you want from a gear dealer, then your sure.I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougH 270 #20 April 5, 2007 Quote But, some suppliers to the parachute industry pull test each link and tumble them to ensure no sharp burrs. You mean they pull test a few from the lot?"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #21 April 5, 2007 No they pull test 100% of what they sell.I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougH 270 #22 April 6, 2007 I find that to be really interesting. I am guessing they test up to the rated load? Wouldn't some strength be lost due to the testing?"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RIGGER 0 #23 April 6, 2007 No way !!! they are not approved for nothing. If you want metal link - the French originals made from SS (Inox) and have all I.D stamped into the metal. If you use the certified original metal links use silicone bumpers Safe Jumps !!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
