Jessica 0 #1 February 10, 2003 I need to get a canopy off its risers, and I'm having a hell of a time unscrewing the barrels on the links. I have a pair of pliers, and I'm using a screwdriver stuck through the link for leverage, but no love. Help?Skydiving is for cool people only Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,565 #2 February 10, 2003 If you're using pliers instead of a wrench, on the hex part of the link, that's not so good. It leaves more of a burr, and you get less leverage because it's less rigid overall. Get the biggest honkin' crescent wrench, tighten it down on the hex nut, and pull the wrench and the screwdriver against each other. A thoroughly locktited link can be really tough. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 7 #3 February 10, 2003 QuoteI need to get a canopy off its risers, and I'm having a hell of a time unscrewing the barrels on the links. I have a pair of pliers, and I'm using a screwdriver stuck through the link for leverage, but no love. Help? Ummm.....try turning it the other direction? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skygod7777 0 #4 February 10, 2003 well, your links really shouldn't be that tight anyway. but if they are, then you shouldn't use a pliers. use a whench. and more than likely, they are so tight because they are cross threaded. so, when you get them off, look that them, and you may want to replace them, or just get soft links soft links are stronger, and you don't have little problems like this, and you won't ever beat up your slider grommets. later Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jessica 0 #5 February 10, 2003 Quote Ummm.....try turning it the other direction? Thanks for the tip, Chris. Remind me to beat you next time I see you. Quote Get the biggest honkin' crescent wrench, tighten it down on the hex nut, and pull the wrench and the screwdriver against each other. I'll try that, thanks Wendy. You're right about the burrs. Quote soft links are stronger, and you don't have little problems like this, and you won't ever beat up your slider grommets. I use soft links. I'm taking this canopy off my spare risers to sell it.Skydiving is for cool people only Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rgoper 0 #6 February 10, 2003 generally rapide links that are not thread locked that are hard to unscrew have been stretched from opening snatch forces. which in my mind only enforces my decision to use slinks...if you ever take a pair of rapide links off of a canopy and intend to use rapide links again, throw the old ones away, no matter how long they've been on the canopy...cheap insurance.--Richard-- "We Will Not Be Shaken By Thugs, And Terroist" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skygod7777 0 #7 February 10, 2003 Quoteif you ever take a pair of rapide links off of a canopy and intend to use rapide links again, throw the old ones away, no matter how long they've been on the canopy...cheap insurance. i think that is a bit much. now if they have like 5 or 6 hundred jumps on em, then maybe, if ya want. i would say replace em with the line set. same with slinks, replace em with the line set. i have scene 3 sets of the mini links come open, and all three of the people landed the canopies with out even knowing, and one of them doing a big phat hook turn with it open, the link was almost straight!! it only had a little bit hanging on. and same with the other 2, but they didn't hook. just keep and eye on them. and actually, after that happened, we called rapide, and they said, you SHOULD NOT take a wrench to the mini links. they should be finger tight, and then watch them. they said it is way to easy to crack the barrel on them. later Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rgoper 0 #8 February 10, 2003 Quote i have scene 3 sets of the mini links come open, and all three of the people landed the canopies with out even knowing as have i, which in turn the reasoning for my comment. if the rapide links were $100.00 a pair, i'd have a different opinion maybe, but being's as they're cheaper than dirt, it ain't worth it. personally i'll never use (on my equipment) reuse, or suggest reusing a set. but, i guess that's the reason they make ford's and chevy's! --Richard-- "We Will Not Be Shaken By Thugs, And Terroist" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #9 February 11, 2003 Quote use a whench Bhwahaha! ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skygod7777 0 #10 February 11, 2003 QuoteQuote -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- use a whench -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bhwahaha! ltdiver oh wow, i just realized i did spell that wrong. it's supposed to be wrench. opps. later Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #11 February 11, 2003 I still laughed when I read it though, even if it was an honest mistake.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skygod7777 0 #12 February 11, 2003 Quote I still laughed when I read it though, even if it was an honest mistake. ya, now that i read it, it is kinda funny oh well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #13 February 11, 2003 Hmmm here in Oz Wrench = Spanner Cresent Wrench = Shifter (shifting spanner) Shifter = FAS FAS = F*cks All Sizes Ham fisted gorillas use FAS's You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BMFin 0 #14 February 11, 2003 Quote Hmmm here in Oz Wrench = Spanner Cresent Wrench = Shifter (shifting spanner) Shifter = FAS FAS = F*cks All Sizes Ham fisted gorillas use FAS's Im sorry to hear that m8 ! Be aware of those Italians there. I hear this Oz (Oswald penitentiary) is not just another kindergarden... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hookitt 1 #15 February 11, 2003 Quote just keep and eye on them. and actually, after that happened, we called rapide, and they said, you SHOULD NOT take a wrench to the mini links. later No shit... I have a CRAZY number of jumps on my links and they have been put on few sets of risers.... Looks like I'm installing Slinks this weekend!My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skygod7777 0 #16 February 11, 2003 Quote Looks like I'm installing Slinks this weekend! a good idea. hell there stronger, and at least if they break, then you know it , unlike the rapide links, if they come open, they don't open all the way right on opening, so you don't even see it. i mean, who looks at there canopy for another check after they get open, i know i don't. later Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #17 February 11, 2003 Quote:"QuoteI need to get a canopy off its risers, and I'm having a hell of a time unscrewing the barrels on the links. I have a pair of pliers, and I'm using a screwdriver stuck through the link for leverage, but no love. Help?" end quote. Returning to the original question. Since screwdrivers tend to cause leaky fingers, throw them away. Hold the rapide link so the short end is up and the barrel is on your right side. Slip wrench onto barrel. Lay wrench and link on floor, Stand on head of wrench. Finish unscrewing link by hand. Repeat process on other four links. Inspect threads for damage. Replace any burred or cross-threaded links with new. Re-assemble canopy, but only tighten links "finger-tight plus a quarter turn." To avoid this hassle in the future, buy a set of PD Slinks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fcajump 164 #18 March 27, 2003 Helpful Rigging Tip From Handsome Dave's class: "long left - lift to loosen" Translation for the slower folks: Hold the Rapide link with the barrel toward you with the slightly longer link end to your left, place the box-end wrench on the barrel and lift the near end of the wrench to loosen the link. JAlways remember that some clouds are harder than others... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
