the "pull up tool" and flap grommets

[weid14 0]

any one use one of these "tools" (you know the metal rod with the spectra cord on it) to close your own rig, or do you pack for others and use one? I was looking at my rig the other day and noticed some nics in the grommet of the closing flap. Nothing to get excited about right now, but I'm gonna have to get it replaced because I don't want friction on the pin or a frayed closing loop.

Anyway, I'm thinking that the stainless tool vs. the stainless grommet isn't doing my grommet any good. Has anyone else noticed this? (OK, everyone go look at the main closing grommet now). I know the d-bag grommets get beat up from smacking against each other on deployment, but I can't think of anything else that would cause the main flap grommet to get marked up like it is.

[PhillyKev 0]

Is it on the top flap on your rig when closed? Could it be the closing pin damaged it?

[AggieDave 6]

I'm a packer and I use one of those tools. I have never seen any damage done from the tool to a rig. I have seen messed up closing loops from people quickly pulling regular pull up cords out too quickly/not under the pin, though.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[weid14 0]

the closing pin is not nicked or damaged, just the grommet. I'll probably get it fixed before Im up at CK's again, otherwise I'd show you. I noticed it when the flaps were closed, so yes it is the top one.

[Samurai136 0]

Maybe you backed into something metal in the plane?

If you noticed grommet damage while the container is closed that implies it's the exterior side of the grommet? The tool threads the loop thru from the interior side so I doubt it was the tool...

Ken

"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian
Ken

[drenaline 0]

I doubt the power tool will do something like that, the tool is a polished slippery metal with no sharp sizes and all round endings, its kinda difficult to cause a nick in the grommet using a tool shaped like that.

HISPA 21
www.panamafreefall.com

[bmcd308 0]

Dave, what does the tool actually do?

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www.jumpelvis.com

[AggieDave 6]

The tool just helps people pack, keeping their hands from getting torn up by pullup cords. Also, the line used on the powertool doesn't burn closing loops, like a pullup cord can. When you're doing over 100 pack jobs a weekend, this thing is a god send.

Also, some rigs require the use of a powertool, i.e. Sigma tandems, although this is the only one that I know of.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[weid14 0]

FWIW, they are both stainless steel -- and stainless on stainless doesn't work very well -- I've tried to take apart many a machine that was galled together using the same grade of stainless. It would be possible to do that. The only other thing I can think of is the bar in the mock up at SDC was about 3" lower than it should have been, since I exit from inside the plane 95% of the time, I was always fighting with that thing so it may have happened then, too.

[pilotdave 0]

Since you use it I assume you like it. Is it worth the $20 or so they sell for for someone that doesn't pack 100 rigs a weekend? I really hate closing my container. My hands are usually in pain after just a few pack jobs.

Dave

[Spy38W 0]

Quote

Since you use it I assume you like it. Is it worth the $20 or so they sell for for someone that doesn't pack 100 rigs a weekend? I really hate closing my container. My hands are usually in pain after just a few pack jobs.

Eh, I started out using something like a 2 foot piece of spectra before somebody got me a powertool as a gift. I'm still at the point where I prefer the spectra because it's quicker than putting the string on and taking it off of the powertool, but like the powertool, especially on overstuffed tandems, because of the extra pull force I can get out of it. Try both, find somebody that has a powertool you can try for a day.

--
Hook high, flare on time

[AndyMan 7]

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it worth the $20 or so they sell for for someone that doesn't pack 100 rigs a weekend?

I like the powertool because you're not wrapping the pull-up around your fingers when you finally close the rig. More then once after a normal pack job I'd be bleeding from my cuticles cause I held the pull-up in the wrong place when I really leaned into it. More often though, I'd just tear up my fingers.

When I pack, which is rarely cause I'm a yuppie skydiver, I use a powertool.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[Kris 0]

I love my power-tool. It gives great leverage, it's easier on the closing loop, and it pulls out easier after you set the pin.

Kris

Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and
Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™

[AggieDave 6]

I would say it is wort it, these things last a long damn time and when they wear out, all you do is replace the string. It will definately help with closing the container, it gives you a ton of leverage and doesn't hurt your fingers.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[skycat 0]

Have you ever or ever had a packer close your flaps in the wrong order? Grommets can easily nick eachother.

I have a picture of the grommets from the reserve container were the reserve closing loop broke. The grommet in question was like the 2nd one down so a pin check would not have shown the damage to the closing loop or the grommet. As for background on this, *shrug* I don't know the rigger he is some guy from OK, so I have no idea of the closing loop was replaced after every repack or what.

This is one of the many pics out of Derek's book of the rigger's hall of shame.

Fly it like you stole it!

[bbarnhouse 0]

Ok now I use a pack boy and I love it. However, while in a rigging loft recently I heard a senior MR comment that folks are using the instument to hold up the main flap and shoving it into the flap of the reserve. This he he believes may be contributing to some of the small holes being found in some folks reserve pcs. I'm not a rigger , just repeating what I was told....

[AggieDave 6]

BB, I'm sorry, but I don't see how this would be done, unless the packer is a pre-school dropout. I don't think I've ever done something like that packing.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[bbarnhouse 0]

Sorry Aggie~
I see people do it quite frequently.

Cheers dude..........

[AndyMan 7]

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I see people do it quite frequently

I've seen it done quite a bit around here.



_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.