Winch Extension Tube Thimble and 3/4" Shaclkes
- Thread starter Beowulf
- Start date
Bongo Boy
Observer
No but it's a great question--of course it's going to depend on the size of the tube thimble. I have 3/8" tube thimbles coming from Viking which should be here shortly...if no one answers by then I'll measure.
While on the topic of tube thimbles, is there any reason they could not be made with an all-enclosed tube rather than the common style that is closed only at each end? I understand feeding line through the thimble would be more challenging, but any other reason not to build them all-enclosed?
While on the topic of tube thimbles, is there any reason they could not be made with an all-enclosed tube rather than the common style that is closed only at each end? I understand feeding line through the thimble would be more challenging, but any other reason not to build them all-enclosed?
Bongo Boy
Observer
I was thinking just a regular tube bender...with reasonable wall-thickness, the tube would retain a circular cross-section at least as round as the line is under load. I'd think it would be quite a bit cheaper to do it that way, actually, and was wondering why the manufacturer goes to the extra expense of removing 1/2 the tube--that's an extra machining operation, unless I'm assuming too much about how they're made.
The idea here is to provide added protection for the end of the line...and added strength for the thimble. I was thinking a quick dip in that plastic stuff used for dipping tool handles, etc., would help keep abrasive debris out of the closed thimble, which might be a concern.
The idea here is to provide added protection for the end of the line...and added strength for the thimble. I was thinking a quick dip in that plastic stuff used for dipping tool handles, etc., would help keep abrasive debris out of the closed thimble, which might be a concern.
Antichrist
Expedition Leader
These might answer your question.
http://www.europroductsinc.com/sections html pages/Sec.G Thimbles/secg_thimbles_pg1.html
http://www.rigginglifting.com/produ...s/Wire-rope-Thimble/Stainless-Tubula-661.html
I imagine different mfg are about the same dimensions for the same size rope.
The advantage of an open one is that you can visually inspect it for any stress damage, the radius is going to be the weakest point.
Sorta the same reason you should never paint wooden tool handles.
http://www.europroductsinc.com/sections html pages/Sec.G Thimbles/secg_thimbles_pg1.html
http://www.rigginglifting.com/produ...s/Wire-rope-Thimble/Stainless-Tubula-661.html
I imagine different mfg are about the same dimensions for the same size rope.
The advantage of an open one is that you can visually inspect it for any stress damage, the radius is going to be the weakest point.
Sorta the same reason you should never paint wooden tool handles.
Oddly enough I had found those same two links. However, I did not need them. One of my presents this year was Viking Winch Line with a 3/8" Tube Thimble and Excel hook. I was able to move the hook enough to see if the 7/8" pin would fit.
I am happy to report that YES, the pin does fit. The radius of the 3/8" tube thimble seems to have been bent on a 7/8" radius die. It fits like it was made to accept my shackles perfectly.
I am happy to report that YES, the pin does fit. The radius of the 3/8" tube thimble seems to have been bent on a 7/8" radius die. It fits like it was made to accept my shackles perfectly.
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Antichrist
Expedition Leader
Don't quote me on that. Just a wild guess.Bongo Boy said:
It could also be that by eliminating 1/2 the tube diameter, you don't get as much distortion of the 1/2 that remains, when you bend it. Not as much accordion effect. I really have no idea.
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Bongo Boy
Observer
An answer I received from Thor Jonsson at Viking Offroad makes good sense. I'd recently purchased some tube thimbles from winchline.com and asked him why not just make the thimble a continuous, enclosed tube. He told me it would be very difficult to do the splice with such a tube because of how the fid has to be used.
In fact, I can't think of how it could be spliced at all using a fid, if the thimble were not open (like they apparently all are), at least not with the fid as we know them. I have some idea of how it could be done with a two-piece fid, but it's an academic exercise I think and probably a real PITA, especially given I have no way to get that tight a radius in a piece of tubing and no way to bend greater than 180 deg. I think I'll move on to another non-problem to not solve.
In fact, I can't think of how it could be spliced at all using a fid, if the thimble were not open (like they apparently all are), at least not with the fid as we know them. I have some idea of how it could be done with a two-piece fid, but it's an academic exercise I think and probably a real PITA, especially given I have no way to get that tight a radius in a piece of tubing and no way to bend greater than 180 deg. I think I'll move on to another non-problem to not solve.
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