Like this?Not talking about safety thimble vs hook (people use a thimble with a hook), I'm thinking of running just a loop with no thimble. Anyone here have experience with that?
If you understand why a thimble is used and needed, then you know the answer.Not talking about safety thimble vs hook (people use a thimble with a hook), I'm thinking of running just a loop with no thimble. Anyone here have experience with that?
Looks like a good way to lose a finger.Yes! Without the vinyl coating
If you understand why a thimble is used and needed, then you know the answer.
Looks like a good way to lose a finger.
2. The strength is higher when the loop is more open (e.g. around a thimble)
If I'm not mistaken, @Apparition was referring to the safety aspect that the thimble provides?yeah I'm not talking about their fairlead. I'll leave it on a shackle or tow hook.
Yep can't suck the line (with your hand) through whatever fairlead you are running.If I'm not mistaken, @Apparition was referring to the safety aspect that the thimble provides?
If you do some research, the line companies have minimum radius requirements to keep the line at its rated breaking strength. It is usually given as X times the line diameter. You can't maintain that with either a soft shackle or steel shackle. Again, if you understand why a thimble is used, you already know the answer.It's needed for abrasion and possible diameter. When connecting to a soft shackle or smooth hard shackle neither should be a problem.
If you do some research, the line companies have minimum radius requirements to keep the line at its rated breaking strength. It is usually given as X times the line diameter. You can't maintain that with either a soft shackle or steel shackle. Again, if you understand why a thimble is used, you already know the answer.
Why is the drum diameter about 3"?I've done some research, mainly on the sailing/marine side. For a terminal loop it's well established that D/d ration of 1:1 is sufficient. That bend radius cuts the rope strength in half, and with the 2 legs of a loop you get full single-line strength. My soft and steel shackles are bigger that the 3/8 winch line so that isn't the problem.
I'm asking here to learn what experience people have and what to watch out for. So far it seems the main concern is that the end can pass through the fairlead.
Why is the drum diameter about 3"?
Yes you can run a "Soft Eye" but it is not ideal and you will need to add something to increase abrasion resistance unless you want to become a master of splicing. I would do this for an extension line since it normally sees less use but not for my main line.I've done some research, mainly on the sailing/marine side. For a terminal loop it's well established that D/d ration of 1:1 is sufficient. That bend radius cuts the rope strength in half, and with the 2 legs of a loop you get full single-line strength. My soft and steel shackles are bigger that the 3/8 winch line so that isn't the problem.
I'm asking here to learn what experience people have and what to watch out for. So far it seems the main concern is that the end can pass through the fairlead.
A clever rope pun!(for us dummies that do knot know).