flyinghonu 0 #1 October 5, 2004 Been reading this thread in the incidents forum http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1280189;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread. What exactly is a burr? What would you look for when checking to see if one is forming? What causes it to form and what can you do to prevent it from forming? How common is this problem? Thanks. "Excuse me while I kiss the sky..." - Jimi Hendrix Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #2 October 5, 2004 A burr is a sharp projection from the edge of an object, in this case, the inside of the "eye" on a curved pin. That burr was almost definitely left by mistake when the pin was manufactured. Burrs on metal can also be caused by mechanical damage deforming the metal, such as slider grommets smacking into hard links, jump after jump. A sharp burr working against fabric or lines can cause a lot of wear and eventually make the assembly fail. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #3 October 5, 2004 >What exactly is a burr? A burr is a rough spot on a metal fitting which is supposed to be smooth. If these are in a bad place they can cause lots of wear on the softer materials of your rig. Examples: -Burrs/dents/scratches on the inside of your slider grommets, where it contacts the lines -Damage to the inside of your closing pin, as in Lisa's incident -Wear/damage to the harness ring of your 3-ring assembly If you suspect that there is damage to any of these places (i.e. see rough spots or scratches on your slider) have it checked out by a rigger to make sure you are not prematurely wearing out your gear (or worse, causing malfunctions like stuck sliders or PC-in-tows.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
teason 0 #4 October 5, 2004 A burr appears on metal componants. It is usually a nick or dent on the metal surface that results in a sharp point. Often seen on grommets, they have caused closing loops to break. Riggers will check all metal surfaces on your gear for burrs. If one exists, it can be sanded down with emery cloth or the replaced. I check for burrs with q-tips. If it catches the cotton, there's a burr! I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murps2000 86 #5 October 5, 2004 What everybody else already said. Plus, a really BAD place to have one is on any of your articulation points (hip rings, chest strap). If you're checking for them don't forget to look there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #6 October 5, 2004 The burr on my closing pin was not really all that noticeable except when held in the right light but could be felt when you pulled a pullup cord through it. It is just a small seam on the inside of the pin that is rough. -- Hot Mama At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyinghonu 0 #7 October 5, 2004 So, I'm wondering...I've been told that touching and rubbing the metal components of your rig can leave a residue on those components contributing to different types of detoriation (which may or may not affect the performance and funtion of those components). As a new jumper learning how to fully examine my gear, should I check for burrs by actually touching these components, by looking at the wear on the attachments, or should I go with the Q-tip method. As I'm writing this, I'm realizing its probably a little of all of those, yeah? "Excuse me while I kiss the sky..." - Jimi Hendrix Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #8 October 6, 2004 Not really sure how to answer that. maybe one of the rigger types can help here. All I know is it can cause serious consequences so you need to check it somehow. -- Hot Mama At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dnewcomer 0 #9 October 6, 2004 Quote........by actually touching these components, by looking at the wear on the attachments, or should I go with the Q-tip method. As I'm writing this, I'm realizing its probably a little of all of those, yeah? Even if you can't feel or see the burr on your closing pin's loop, you should be able to see the premature wear on the bridle attachment long before it tears. The burr is not likely to cut through on one jump. Great reason to check gear carefully every time you pack --- and look for unexplained or unnecessary wear. (Everywhere.) Dave WEB SITE: www.newconthenet.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
obelixtim 150 #10 October 6, 2004 If you steal a pair of nylon pantyhose/stocking from your girlfriend/granny or whoever, then run it round the inside of grommets or other metal bits, it'll pick up the tiny burrs that you can't see or feel....then its easy enough to give it a rub with a piece of wet & dry (fine sandpaper) to smooth out the burr.... Slider grommets and closing grommets on your rig are the ones to check..and should be done before you assemble new gear, because some of these come straight from the manufacturer.... Having lines or closing loops break at the wrong time is not healthy, but evidence is usually there for a while before the break happens....look for furry bits on your closing loops, and lines as you pack.....My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #11 October 6, 2004 I've been told that touching and rubbing the metal components of your rig can leave a residue on those components contributing to different types of deterioration >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That advice refers to excessive-compulsive rotation of 3-rings while riding in the airplane. That practice may have been relevant for a bad batch of rings - made during the 1980s - but now is just a sign of psychological insecurity. Rotating your rings is now considered a silly/bad practice because it leaves skin oil/acid/sweat residue on hardware which accelerates rust. Mind you, parachute hardware rusts so slowly that your rig will fall out of fashion long before rust threatens your life. In the meantime, run a fingertip over hardware once a month to confirm that there are no rough edges or burrs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyinghonu 0 #12 October 6, 2004 Thanks everyone for taking the time to give me the information....always learning "Excuse me while I kiss the sky..." - Jimi Hendrix Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
teason 0 #13 October 6, 2004 QuoteThat advice refers to excessive-compulsive rotation of 3-rings while riding in the airplane. That practice may have been relevant for a bad batch of rings - made during the 1980s - but now is just a sign of psychological insecurity. AMEN, brother. It drives me nuts!I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
