Spliced lifeline hardware--blasphemous question

[JohnV]

I'm using 5/16 Amsteel for my new lifelines. But I need gate eyes or some other means of anchoring the lines to the tops of the gate stancheons, where there are no loops welded.
I've seen lots about how good the C.S.Johnson hardware is for spliced lifelines, and no doubt it's true.
But the prices that orthodontists and hedge fund managers are willing to pay for that stuff is nuts. I'm looking for a reasonably priced, reasonably safe alternative. Anybody found one? Is there an acceptable way to tie the line directly to the hole in the stancheon somehow? I really don't want to dispense with the gates.
Thanks for any ideas.
John V.

[Brion Toss]

Hi,
Believe it or not, there was once a time when HM fibers were being used for lifelines, but Johnson had yet to begin making hardware for it. An eyebolt/eye nut combination will work for the fixed end of the gate, and some form of button and becket (or soft shackle, these days) for the latch end. Or you can adapt some form of sliding pin shackle, or whatever other structurally sound, easy-to-use alternative you come up with. Johnson's hardware is quick and clean, which is why I use it instead of my beloved fancywork. Usually. So if you are up for the extra labor/skill required, do thou go for it.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[JohnV]

Brion, thanks for the affirmation that it's ok to seek alternatives to the common practice. I'll scout out other shapes and sizes of stainless steel hardware.
There seems to be a couple of tiers of SS suppliers. I found a couple now who's prices for hardware parts are much lower than everybody else's--so it's probably Chinese stuff or something. I'll assume that it's unwise to economize too drastically.
The Johnson stuff looks nice and would be tempting if money weren't an object.
Incidentally, I found a nice youtube tutorial on making soft shackles, if the link works: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH66tGsWv_Y&feature=related[/url]. It looks like you could make a gate out of a long enough shackle.
Thanks again.
John V.

[teknocholer]

I'm also planning to replace my lifelines, and my hedge fund has been underperforming of late, so I've been thinking along the same lines. In place of a gate eye, I came up with this:



alternatively,



The second is easier to install, but I wonder about the fact that the rope is pinched between the shackle and the stanchion.

Before I go ahead, I would appreciate comments on the safety and practicality of these ideas.

[JohnV]

That's a nice idea, teknocholer.
As it turned out, I found a guy selling Johnson double-eyes for the gate stancheons for 14 bucks each. I can now anchor unobtrusivlely among the orthodontists and pharmaceudical company reps.
Otherwise, I think I'd have copied your solution.
Incidentally, I found a place called us cargo control that sells shackles cheap, in case you're interested: http://www.uscargocontrol.com/Rigging-Supplies-Hardware
John V

[allene]

Originally Posted by JohnV

Brion, thanks for the affirmation that it's ok to seek alternatives to the common practice. ... It looks like you could make a gate out of a long enough shackle.
Thanks again.
John V.

My Line Shackle would be a lot easier to use for a gate than a soft shackle.
http://l-36.com/halyard_shackle.php

[JohnV]

That's a pretty cool idea, Allene. Thanks for the link. I'll try making one up and see how it works.
John V.