riggermick

And your your point is???????????????? Mick.

Just a point to clarify for me, the Stainless Steel adaptor is rated to 500#, the info I have says the MS-70701 is light weight and similar to the MS22019 but is a light weight stamping and should only be used where a small amount of tensile strength is required. So, is it actually the MS-70701 that is good for over 2000# or are we confusing different adaptors? Also, if I understand you correctly, tensile load strength has little to do with chest strap webbing choice, but rathter shear strength properties, hence you double it? Quick question...or two. When you do drop testing for TSO, do you do it with the chest strap in various configurations of too tight, too loose, and properly adjusted? I wonder how much this would affect the failure of the harness, since there is very little in any owner's manuals I have concerning how tight the chest strap should be, RI says in their manual that all straps should be very tight. Would an overtightened chest strap on a rig with chest rings actually present a high risk of failure? I'm under the impression that rigs with articulated harnesses are designed for proper load distribution and that they pass TSO drop testing. One last thought to share along this line, wouldn't a chest strap and quick fit adaptor that is attached to the MLW via a ring, that allows it to float with the load help to mitigate the risk of the adaptor shearing the webbing on an asymmetrical shock load as well as to the anchoring stitching failing? If an MS 70701-1 is side loaded or loaded at an oblique angle the 500 lb rating comes in to play, it doesn't take a whole lot of preassure to pop the slide bar out under a dynamic load when the bar is lodad in direction other than inline. This configuration, while not impossible to to attain is for all practical purposes not easy to attain either. Hence the need for the 500 rating and it's proven reliability over the years. As far as harness adjustments in different configurations during drop tests, no. There are no requirements for this during TSO testing plus it would drive the cost of the whole process up even further than it already is, which is pretty expensive. Mick.

Building three ring risers any shorter causes problems with the length of the release cables in the channels, it also affects toggle size (length) and placement. they are more trouble than they are worth to build any shorter, believe me I have a couple of 14" sets! Merry Xmas. Mick.

You tell me I'm assinine and then I would be more inclined to let it go. Until then, what is really assinine is you and others jumping in to lend your support to Sparky but then subtly restating what I have been trying to get him to acknowledge. Ok now this is just plain childish. I didn't call YOU assinine and I'm not siding with anyone. The whole thread has deteriorated in to a "you called me names and everyone is ganging up on me". I think the point has been made about load paths and the like, now it's time to move on to bigger and better things don't you think? For the record if you feel an apology is necessary from me, here it is: I'm sorry if I offended you in any way that wasn't my intention. If an apopogy is not needed then just ignore this. I for one am done talking about this subject and any related finger pointing. later. Mick.

If the chest strap is overloaded during deployment, there is a chance it will fail. But then that is true of the entire system. I don't recall the report saying anything about chest rings or improper harness adjustment. Did the webbing fail or was it the harware? Maybe it was the stitching. Maybe the stitching had been worn or broken, maybe the selvage edge of the webbing had been damaged or was defective? Do you have info that isn't on that report? What is a "real good chance"? How many properly routed chest straps have failed? I do know that the chest strap is loaded during deployment, even your buddies Jerry and Zigzg admit that.....whose opions you have stated you respect BTW. It is called the MAIN LIFT WEB because it takes the MAIN load, not the entire load. I have, please see my latest response to Zigzag, you may learn something you missed. Good riddance. STOP THIS! gentelmen, What you are argueing is is assinine.Let it go. Chest straps are load bearing albiet in conjunctin within their applicable load recuirements. they are NOT considerd primary load path's but secondary load paths, that is what they they do. Period! End of story! Merry Christmas. Mick.

EFF the lot of you!!!!!!!! Merry xmas!!!!!!!! Mick.

This thread adds weight to the old contention that it is better to buy used than new when one has low jump numbers. Of course if you have money to burn and don't mind trashing new stuff, knock yourself out! Mick.

This is why I designed an RSL that is directly connected to the reserve ripcord pin 25 years ago. I did not patent it, so it is "free" for everyone to use. I simply cannot understand why the "cable through ring" RSL system, which also damages your ripcord cable every time as well, is still in use today. Perhaps the direct to pin concept is too bulky or uses too much velcro or the welded pin just plain scares the crap out of some folk. What ever the reason (s) most of the industry has shied away from the direct pin concept in favor of the more "traditional" cable/ ring set up. I would be curious to see concrete facts (not annicdotal evidence) about failure rates between the two if indeed there are any meaningfull differences between them. As far as broken pins/ RSL's go, that issue has been cleaned up long ago much like the welded curved pin, but both still seem to worry people don't they? How much of what we subscribe to about our gear is out of irrational fear or Fear of the unknown/ partially understood? I believe a good amount of it is, always has and always will be. Mick.

Did they train you to pull the reserve THEN release the main? Cutting away a bag lock should stop you from "towing my trash". That is how you wrote in, and being a rigger you should know how how an RSL works. That being said, I think RSL's are a good thing for the majority of jumpers. Most RSL configurations have the reserve static line attached at the main riser at one end and the guide ring around the reserve ripcord cable at the other. When one jettisons the main parachute and the risers release the only attachment point left is the RSL riser/ cable link, if there is insuffecient drag to withdraw the ripcord pin/ cable assy then the resut would be a tow. the only way to clear this would be to pull the ripcord thereby releasing the RSL/ main canopy. A baglock may well qualify this situation. So yes he did as trained, well done. Mick.

You mean something like this? See attachment. Sparky Yeah exactly like that! Mick.

I don't write down my numbers here because I'm not interested in a pissing contest over jumps. I've actually stopped keeping track. You have an opportunity to tell us what you know or you can just boast about your delightful experiences. What I know is: I recieved an AFF rating 1989, I have a little over 7500 jumps, 5500 of them are AFF jumps,I began jumping in 1978, was a S/L jm back in the day, am a master rigger, have designed, tested and built around 2000 TSO'd rigs, have directly seen around 15 people die doing this sport, have known around 60 total who are not with us anymore, have seen numerous newbees get in over their heads, some make out ok some don't, some die. It's not a pissing contest over numbers, unless you count all of the ugly stupid shit I've witnessed or been part of over the years, so yeah I win, you drown in MY PISS !!! What it really is about is not putting inexperienced people in situations that could kill/ severly injure them if the smallest thong goes wrong. The rather small fact that you won't supply your name, time in or ratings speaks volumes about your experience and character. Unless you post this info I can't in good concience take ANYTHING yo say at face value. Too bad, you sound smart. Mick.

Hope your mod is approved by the manufacturers and you have "administrator" approval with the appropriate drawings on file. The belly band is a structural alteration. Mick.

Rubbish. To the original poster: what's your * age (old/middle/young), * sex (F/M), * type of employment (blue/white collar, public sector/private sector is detailed enough), * height (short/average/tall), * income class (low, middle, upper is detailed enough, or don't say if you don't want to) * level of education ( bachelor) The reason for these personal questions is that for an average-sized person 150 sqft might be on the risky side, and your answers to these questions help us determine how likely it is you actually mean to be seeking out risk. Nobody is going to tell you to go ahead and make a risky decision because we live in a litigious society and as a community skydivers are terrified of lawsuits. Well that's a hell of a reasoned arguement what with all of your experience and time in sport and all of the low timers that you've seen maimed or killed not because they were in over their heads, but because of just plain bad luck. Oh wait according to your profile your sum total of experience comes to, um let me see........NOTHING!!! Until you identify yourself and state your experience your arguement is not worthy of debate. You know who I am and my experience, time to ante up. Mick.

QuoteHow much do you weigh? Even if he weighs 100 lbs soaking wet, a 150 is still no place for someone with 25 jumps. Mick.

Ok I'll bite, what is smart ass and what is asshole about my post? There are many jumpers out there who feel their eqipment is majic and are ignorant of its capabilities, you appear to be one of them. At least that's the way it came off to me. Mick.

You should endevour to learn more about your equipment and how it is built, what it is built from and and how it transmits loads under dynamic forces. When you are fully aware of the overbuilding and redundency involved you will feel much more comfortable with the tools of your sport. That thing you wear on your back is not some black hole of mysterious juju, it's the end product of many years of r/d, trial/error and sound engineering. Replacing MLW's or any other part of the system can be and is done every day without catastrophic results. Mick.

Washing them actually cleans them out. They are made of spiral wound stainless steel, the same stuff you see on any public phone. When the housings are formed a lubricant is used to keep them cool during the process, the excess lubricant is what initally picks up most of the dust and grit found on your cut away cables. Washing them actually helps keep your cables clean. Mick.

Your welcome. Mick.

QuoteMick, What is a 5010 ring and a MS 2240 friction adapter? I'm sorry, should have taken the time to proof read it before I posted. What I meant to say was MS 22040-1 friction adapter and a 5010 ring (the old, old style base ring for the three ring). It was from this ring that all subsequent three ring releases were based. The inside daimeter is the determining factor. If memory serves I believe it is Bourden forge that makes the piece. It is also the ring that we used on the Reflex hip junction And on Flexon/ Tallon 2's. The hardware on the belly band looks like something like a Rocket Jet Release. It does doesn't it. Mick.

When I brought it up with Tony, and said he was ripping me off, he said, "Tough shit, that's how it is in the sewing industry." NickD

We used the strange looking piece of hardware on the T-Flex at the lateral junction (the one that looks like a 5010 ring morfed with an MS 2240 friction adapter), made for a great adjustable lateral with hip atriculation. It's a pretty neat piece of hardware. Mick.

Hahahahahahahahahhahahhaahah.............. Oh the innocence of newbees, it's so cute!!!! Maybe I should try to set up a company to build gear, that would be so cool......................... Oh wait, never mind. Mick.

Relax, it's a joke dude!!! Just pointing out your typo!

It was not my intention. I admit I was wrong "prototyping" some third world manufacturing practices. Don't you mean "stereotyping"? Unless you are preparing to set up an assembly line in Honduras for yourself and this was just a trial run. Mick.

You need to adjust the dwell and timing of the hooks to needle ratio. The hooks need to just touch the needle recesses without actually striking the needle at just the right moment without dropping the bottom thread. It's gonn'a take time and error to make it happen with varying thicknesses of fabrics and tapes. It's actually one of "the dark arts" that is rarely spoken of. Trust me on on this one. Mick.