Play in spreaders, wrapping the male tab of the bracket, with foil?

[rpeskett]

Hi,
I have Dwyer airfoil spreaders, part D2503, with the Dwyer brackets in the image attached. There is a little bit of play in the spreaders, at the bracket, and I'm concerned that this could increase as the spreaders wear. So, I'm thinking of wrapping the male tab of the bracket that inserts into the female part of the spreader with something to take up the play. I will also coat both parts with Tef-gel, to prevent corrosion. Do you have any suggestions, related to what to wrap the tab with? I'm thinking of aluminum foil, because I expect it to be more durable than tape. The spreader is aluminum, so if galvanic corrosion would occur between the aluminum and the stainless tab of the bracket, I don't expect it to be worse with the foil than with the spreader. I could be wrong. In any case, I expect the Tef-gel to slow down the corrosion.

Thank you for your time,
Rick

[Orion Jim]

I voted for The NY Times. Now there are two uses for it.....one involves training puppies

[rpeskett]

Originally Posted by Orion Jim

I voted for The NY Times. Now there are two uses for it.....one involves training puppies

Hi Jim,
Your vote made me smile.
Rick

[Capn Jimbo]

There's a common and quite accurate saying in the medical field: "Treat the cause not the symptoms". I would be VERY reticent to kludge the play. Seriously, tin foil? And I'd definitely call the manufacturer - you can be sure thiey'll suggest the right answer.

[hpeer]

Rescue tape if you must.

https://www.rescuetape.com/

It’s far more stable than the NYT.

[Capn Jimbo]

My guess for now: a bit of play may be normal, but only when loose. Secondly if the spreader tip is properly positioned, lashed and properly immobilized, and under tension, I doubt if there'd be any play, or wear, as such. You really should call Dwyer rather than depending on we barstool expurts...

[Capn Jimbo]

I called the mfr. and I now know the answer. But lets see what the usual suspects say first...

[Don C L]

Spreaders don’t wear out, they are doing their job when under compression. The spreader bracket holds it place and as long as the tips are lashed to the shroud things should work as intended. Now if there is corrosion happening between spreader and bracket my rigger insists on a nickel-based compound.
Did I win the prize Capt?

[Capn Jimbo]

Kind of and so did I above. It always amazes me that problem raising posters haven't really done their homework, which includes searching CF, or in this case a 5 minute call to the mfr - who is in business and is happy to help.

So I called, and the answer - tada - is: that looseness at the base (based on the OP's model and bracket) is perfectly normal. That play is intended, with the notion that it allows the tip to be placed correctly, and when seized and under normal tension, will be stable. The play for this unit is entirely intentional.

Now let's watch the usual suspects disagree, lol...