melushell 0 #1 December 17, 2004 Well I have no clue if this happened before or how normal it is but ......... this is the story We were packing a new Mirage Rig that just came for my friend We put the pilot chute for the reserve ( which is darn strong ), and when we wanted to pull the temporary pin ....... BUM we couldn't pull it off ..........the photos say more what happend I was thinking maybe it happened because we had to press really hard on the pilot chute to stay closed But the pin is smaller than the ring on the base of the pilot chute , and we couldn't put oposite forces on it(also considering the metal plate on the top of the chute wich stoped the pin from bending by pressing the plate ) I am really courios if this happened before to some more experienced packers anyway i never imagined that this temporary pin will bend so darn easy, and is so flexible. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hooknswoop 19 #2 December 17, 2004 I've packed plenty of Mirages and never bent up a temp pin like that. Not sure how you did that. Derek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #3 December 17, 2004 If the temp pin was left in, and another closing flap was tightened down with a positive tension device on top of the temp pin, yeah it will bend like that. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
melushell 0 #4 December 17, 2004 I am not saying is because of Mirage ( we were trying to explain because they have the strongest pilot chute spring, and we tought it was becasue we pushed harder than a regular spring) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
melushell 0 #5 December 17, 2004 QuoteIf the temp pin was left in, and another closing flap was tightened down with a positive tension device on top of the temp pin, yeah it will bend like that. is exactly what i try to explain when this happened we were closing the pilot chute we were presing on the metal plate of the pilot chute, how can a plate bigger than the pin ,bends it like this ? when the tension force of the plate forces pin not to bend? (or puts the force equal to all the suface of the pin ) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hooknswoop 19 #6 December 17, 2004 Quote If the temp pin was left in, and another closing flap was tightened down with a positive tension device on top of the temp pin, yeah it will bend like that. I use a knee plate and positive tension device and don't tear up my temp pins. Or do you mean the temp pin ended up under a flap, bending it and making removal difficult? Derek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hooknswoop 19 #7 December 17, 2004 QuoteBut the pin is smaller than the ring on the base of the pilot chute The temp pin is larger than the base of the PC. Derek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
melushell 0 #8 December 17, 2004 The temp pin is larger than the base of the PC. actually in this case is equal but anyway , the place were the bent is was exactly in the middle of the pilot chute as the bent looks we are thinking the only oxplanation is becasue of the pulling force but again...............are those pins so darn soft??????? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hooknswoop 19 #9 December 17, 2004 Quoteactually in this case is equal With the temp pin in the closing loop, the pin extends out past the edge of the base of the PC. If the pin is the same length as the base of the PC and the PC is centered over the closing loop, 1/2 of the temp pin minus however much of the pin is through the loop will be sticking out from under the edge of the PC. Someone brought a good point to my attention, could the temp pin have been bent while being put into the closing loop? Derek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mark 107 #10 December 17, 2004 Quoteare those pins so darn soft? You want the temp pin to be softer than the grommets. Mark Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #11 December 18, 2004 QuoteI use a knee plate and positive tension device and don't tear up my temp pins. Or do you mean the temp pin ended up under a flap, bending it and making removal difficult? Yes, i was asking him if thats what he did to bend the pin. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #12 December 18, 2004 Yes, I have bent a couple of temp pins over the years. The bending occurred when I knelt on the half-closed rig. My 180 pounds is enough to bend mere stainless steel. Next time, put a little pressure on the rig, remove the temp pin, then put all your weight on the rig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
payback462 0 #13 December 19, 2004 i mangled the crap out of a temp pin on my personal rig, i was compressing the PC and put all my weight (more then enough) on the spring before i took the pin out, mangled the crap out of the pin. checked the spring and grommet, got a new temp pin and finished it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites