Synthetic Winchline Extension: Soft Eye or Thmble?

[Beowulf]

I am going to get a winchline extension. The question becomes to go with Soft Eyes w/Cordura sheaths, or a thimble? Now if I went with a thimble I would want to use a tube thimble instead of the standard open thimble. I would love to hear from people that have experience with the soft eye extensions. Have you had any breakage issues. Was there any reason you don't like them.....etc.

I really like the idea of soft eyes for storage and handling reasons, but would like to get some feedback before committing the funds.

 

[Treenail]

If you choose a spliced eye you need to pay attention to the radius of your attached clevis/hook etc. The bend radius is what will damage the splice even with the Cordura sleeve/tubing.

Think knife edge or showshoe to understand the need for having a large attachment.

Tom

 

[opie]

Beo, I prefer soft eyes in an extension. Also, ask for a larger eye than what one would have if you simply delete the thimble. This opens up more ability to make connections and has no negative side effect on strength.

Generally one is attaching an extension by means of a hook or a shackle, and either of these will not have a bend radius small enough to derate the rope. If you have a thimble in the eye, you limit your connection options. HOWEVER, if you are planning to use your soft shackles to make the connection, I would suggest getting one end with a thimble and the other end with a soft eye. Best of both worlds.

In regards to thimble type, Samson specifically recommends a tube type thimble in Amsteel Blue. I have toyed with some different types of thimbles in stainless steel, but did not like the lack of protection of the rope in the eye compared to the tube thimble.

 

[Beowulf]

Kris,

Are you thinking that running a 3/8" or 7/16" soft shackle through a 3/8" soft eye with cordura sheath would create too much of an acute bend in both thus derating their strength? Is there a chart that shows the minimum safe radius based on rope diameter?

If I finally go with thimbles they will have to be able to handle a 3/4" pin, but a 7/8" pin would be even better. Have you seen any tube thimbles designed for 3/8" rope that will accommodate those pins?

 

[opie]

Kris,

Are you thinking that running a 3/8" or 7/16" soft shackle through a 3/8" soft eye with cordura sheath would create too much of an acute bend in both thus derating their strength? Is there a chart that shows the minimum safe radius based on rope diameter?

Yes, to a degree. I have seen line on line connections without issue. Ultimately, you wont gain that much increase in radius using a thimble, but it helps.

I have seen a recommendation once but I can not remember where and I can not seem to find it. I do know that Samson suggests a 1:8 minimum sheave diameter, which for 3/8 would be 4". But thats on something the line is moving around.

If I finally go with thimbles they will have to be able to handle a 3/4" pin, but a 7/8" pin would be even better. Have you seen any tube thimbles designed for 3/8" rope that will accommodate those pins?

The 3/4" shackle I have in my splicing bucket has a 7/8" pin. The pin on this fits through a 3/8" sized tube thimble, but the ear of the shackle will not. You can step up a size in the thimble to a half inch where you can get the ear of the shackle through.

The larger thimble is stainless steel....

You can run any diameter line through the thimble provided it fits. The larger thimble also has an added bonus, less likely to get pulled through the fairlead. Its been so long I can not remember what diameter line is in this picture. I want to say its 5/16..

 

[1911]

I would love to hear from people that have experience with the soft eye extensions. Have you had any breakage issues. Was there any reason you don't like them.....etc.

My Viking winch line extension has soft eyes with sheaths; no breakage or any other problems so far, I like it just fine.

 

[Beowulf]

1911,

How are you connecting the extenstion to your winch line or the tree savers? Are you using shackles? Do you have a hook on the winchline end?

 

[1911]

1911,

How are you connecting the extenstion to your winch line or the tree savers? Are you using shackles? Do you have a hook on the winchline end?

Yes, using shackles. I have one winch with a hook on the end of the line and one with a safety thimble.

 

[Master-Pull]

I have a couple of different extensions, but I like having a stainless steel or tube thimble in the rope. It keeps the eye formed and distributes the load across the rope a little better. I have used an extension that had no thimble and there was no problem. At the end this comes down to personal preference, and I prefer to have an extension that has thimbles on both ends and a hook on one end. This way I can always use a hook to connect the lines since my winch rope has a hook on it.

-Alex

 

[Beowulf]

Does anyone know where you can purchase a thimble like this? It is a stainless tube thimble with gussets.

 

[sam3535]

Does anyone know where you can purchase a thimble like this? It is a stainless tube thimble with gussets.

Polyperformance and East Texas Offroad came up in a google search for Blue Line Products. They might be able to point you in the right direction.

http://texaswinchrope.com/hooks
http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/3-8-Crush-Proof-Tube-Thimble-p-516.html

 

[Beowulf]

What about rope Eye coatings? I have seen it mentioned a few times in commercial applications, but have not seen it on the smaller stuff. One thing I saw was called Maxijacket listed in an arborist supplier site and another one I saw talked about polymer coatings.

http://www.knotandrope.com/Store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=752&idcategory=38#details

http://www.industrialpolymers.com/product-list/rope-coatings/

 

[opie]

What about rope Eye coatings? I have seen it mentioned a few times in commercial applications, but have not seen it on the smaller stuff. One thing I saw was called Maxijacket listed in an arborist supplier site and another one I saw talked about polymer coatings.

http://www.knotandrope.com/Store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=752&idcategory=38#details

http://www.industrialpolymers.com/product-list/rope-coatings/

First, Knot and Rope is a good company. Good folks to do business with.

Second, I like the coating idea, but if it ever does wear off, or you break the line and want to put it back together you have just lost your coating. With some type of tube sheathing, you have the ability to replace it as many times as you like whenever you like.

 

[Beowulf]

I'm not sure what the best option is on this, but I made my decision on what I was going with. I decided to go with Soft Eyes and make my own. Here is a link to my write up.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/77016-Winch-Extension-Making-your-own-a-tutorial