Wrench Area Above Turnbuckle Is Rounded Off, What To Do?

[Ebtvision]

The flattened areas above the turnbuckle where you put a wrench on to hold it while turning the turnbuckle is for the most part completely rounded off on one of my lower stays (from the previous owner).

I've been able to hold it as best I can using vice grips but I'm sure it's just making the situation worse. Is there any solution for getting good enough grip again without damaging anything?

[Sailmonkey]

How often do you need to do this?

If you are talking about the machined flats on the swage fitting, then the only real solution is to have a new stay made.


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[CaptMarc]

If the wire is good, there is an extended swag or Norseman fitting that can be installed. The extension takes the place of the wire inside the swage.

Marc

[Ebtvision]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

How often do you need to do this?

If you are talking about the machined flats on the swage fitting, then the only real solution is to have a new stay made.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

Yes that's what I mean. It's used maybe 3-5 times per year.

[a64pilot]

Piece of leather between the vise grip and the swage will let you tighten the vise grips very tight and not leave a mark.
Why does it have to be adjusted so often?

[Ebtvision]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Piece of leather between the vise grip and the swage will let you tighten the vise grips very tight and not leave a mark.
Why does it have to be adjusted so often?

that's great advice thanks, I'm going to try that.

Regarding adjustment:

1. Launching & stepping mast in spring
2. Tuning at dock & under sail
3. Removing at end of season

(and this year I'm running new wires up the mast so will be taking the mast down again).

[anacapaisland42]

Pipe Wrench......., should be standard equipment on a boat :-)
Bill

Originally Posted by Ebtvision

The flattened areas above the turnbuckle where you put a wrench on to hold it while turning the turnbuckle is for the most part completely rounded off on one of my lower stays (from the previous owner).

I've been able to hold it as best I can using vice grips but I'm sure it's just making the situation worse. Is there any solution for getting good enough grip again without damaging anything?

[unclemack]

I'd carry on using vise grips until it's time for new rigging - which should probably be quite soon
Set the vise grips so they're just tight enough not to slip.
OTOH One lower shroud couldn't be that expensive could it?

Now I'm annoyed at myself for being irritated that the spellchecker here thinks "vise" is a mistake.
How dare they insinuate that I can't speel.
Dumb scriptkiddies.
Pedantic grumpy old git
Grrr.

[TheThunderbird]

Pipe wrench yes
Or flatten 2 parallel faces with a grinder
Or change it all

Use molibdenum grease to avoid grimpage

[reed1v]

Originally Posted by anacapaisland42

Pipe Wrench......., should be standard equipment on a boat :-)
Bill

A pipe wrench will not get a grip and a monkey wrench will compress a bit too much. A good vice grips designed for round objects allows one to put pressure on at least two opposing sides so as to not flatten the rigging.

Which comes to point number 1. There are different vice grips for different jobs. Use the right one. 2. For a boat try to get stainless grips so you do not have to deal with corrosion. We learned the hard way(is there any other way?) some of the Chinese made tools rust easily once the nickel coating wears off, the springs easily break, and the two jaws do not line up.

[Cheechako]

Just have that stud replaced, they make longer ones so you don't have to buy a new stay. Should be cheap.
A pipe wrench wont get a grip? really? Anything like that you use will leave iron embedded in the SS and it will rust.

[01kiwijohn]

Use a pipe wrench and put bronze or copper plate inside the jaws. Great grip, no damage.

[Dougtiff]

All good advice above, BUT where is the root of the problem ?, The turnbuckle should turn freely, SOOOOO, all the thread's should be lubricated and if you are fine tuning under sail, never adjust the windward rigging, as it's under tension, always the leeward, just so it's snug, been doing this for 50 year's.

[Rorzech]

Originally Posted by reed1v

A pipe wrench will not get a grip and a monkey wrench will compress a bit too much. A good vice grips designed for round objects allows one to put pressure on at least two opposing sides so as to not flatten the rigging.

Which comes to point number 1. There are different vice grips for different jobs. Use the right one. 2. For a boat try to get stainless grips so you do not have to deal with corrosion. We learned the hard way(is there any other way?) some of the Chinese made tools rust easily once the nickel coating wears off, the springs easily break, and the two jaws do not line up.

Chinese made tools cause more problems than they're worth. Can you believe Chinese can't make a hammer that can drive in a nail into a piece of wood. I kid you not. First thing is to get rid every Chinese made tool you own. They're worth less than nothing. Then go and spend real money on quality tools made in America , Germany , Sweden , Canada. The quality of your tools will either make or break the job at hand.

[Mike Banks]

Remove fitting

Take to Welding works
Have shank built-up using best quality stainless welding rod.
Tell them to grind back to shape (make it a bit oversize)
That should get a bit more time from it.