Cashmanimal 0 #1 January 14, 2008 Yesterday I had a PC in tow on one of my jumps and figured it was finally time to replace my pilot chute which I knew was on its last stretch of life. When I got on the ground a fellow jumper offered me a fantastic deal on a brand new, in the package pilot chute he had with him. Aside from being very thankful for the great deal he cut me, I am unhappy that it still has the orange PVC handle on it. Not so much because of aesthetics, but I hate the feel of it and I have this innate fear that my finger will get caught in it. I would really like to get my monkey fist taken off my old pilot chute and put on this one, but my understanding is it involves taking the PC apart as the handle is permanently attached to the apex lines, and a whole bunch of other things the guy I was talking to made seem like a royal pain in the butt. He claims it would be easier to just buy a pilot chute with a monkey fist on it instead of having the swap done... but at $25 for a new pilot chute, it seems like it would be worth my time. So, I guess the point I am trying to get to is: How difficult of a job would this be? Just trying to maximize my efficiency here. I really wish somebody who actually knew what they were talking about, such as a rigger, was there to tell me instead of the guy that hangs around the dropzone every few weekends and places doubt in people's heads; namely mine. Thanks in advance.It's all fun and until someone loses an eye... then it's just a game to find the eye Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #2 January 14, 2008 Try contacting a reputable loft. I'd suggest www.actionair.com somewhat close to your area. I'm guessing about $25 to 30 plus the cost of the monkeyfist.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigway 4 #3 January 14, 2008 Well, you have the price wrong a bit., You have to buy the monkey fist handle as an extra price. i.e. if you buy a collapsible pilot chute you will not get a hackey on the end of it unless you buy a collapsible pilot shute with hackey. I can sort you one out at as good price if you need some help. .Karnage Krew Gear Store . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cashmanimal 0 #4 January 14, 2008 Many thanks for the input... I have the monkey fist on my old pilot chute... it's not possible to use that one? I simply don't know, but now that I am thinking about it it has dawned on me that a new monkeyfist might come with new lines or something along those lines? I was really just hoping they could snippity-snip the old one off and then work that sewing magic...It's all fun and until someone loses an eye... then it's just a game to find the eye Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indyz 1 #5 January 14, 2008 A temporary fix for the pipe handle is to get a cork from a wine bottle and shove it into the handle, then trim the ends. Won't fix the feel, but you definitely won't get your finger stuck in it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ronaldo 0 #6 January 15, 2008 Yes, you can remove the handle and sew it to another PC. It is usually an easy task if you have a sewing machine (even a domestic one), seam ripper and nylon thread. If you don't have the skills and tools to perform the job, ask a rigger to do it. Even if you have basic sewing skills I'd suggest you show the final job to your rigger.Engineering Law #5: The most vital dimension on any plan drawing stands the most chance of being omitted Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #7 January 16, 2008 Snobs use wine corks. Videots use gaffers' tape. Real men use duct tape. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cashmanimal 0 #8 January 17, 2008 Haha! Thanks for all the tips, everybody. I'll be on the road so I won't really have the chance to get to this, but it sounds like some sort of tape solution seems to be the obvious/easiest answer to this temporary problem. Thanks again!It's all fun and until someone loses an eye... then it's just a game to find the eye Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #9 January 18, 2008 Whaaa? You don't like wine?My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hajnalka 0 #10 January 18, 2008 Quote Many thanks for the input... I have the monkey fist on my old pilot chute... it's not possible to use that one? I simply don't know, but now that I am thinking about it it has dawned on me that a new monkeyfist might come with new lines or something along those lines? I was really just hoping they could snippity-snip the old one off and then work that sewing magic... Don't 'snippety snip' your old monkey fist off - whoever sews it onto your new PC will need the tapes to sew it to your new PC's apex tapes. I've done this tons of times. Your new PC won't have to be taken apart. It should have some holes/clearance area at the bottom where the bridle attaches (betw. the support tapes but before the mesh starts) where it's possible to get at and work on the apex/handle area from inside. Like the previous poster said, it's just a matter of picking some stitches to deattach, then bartacking your old monkey fist to your new apex tapes; easily and cheaply done at less than the cost of a new monkey fist (but don't quote me on that - rigging rates vary depending on area.) If anything, snippety-snip your new PVC handle and give it to the dog to play with or something . Best, D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
