Dagny 0 #1 March 2, 2005 I am now the proud owner of a PDR 160 and a Sabre 170. They are both used. The reserve's manufacture date is 5/95 with 0 jumps. The Sabre's is 10/98 with <100 jumps. They both appear to be in really good condition, but now I'm damn near terrified to jump my own gear.(keep dreaming about pulling the reserve just to watch it blow a center cell because it's used and it's my responsibility and it's not the rental job I normally jump. I'm a freak!) Anyway, I'll feel better when it's inspected, so here's my question before I get them all packed up and ready to jump... The reserve was shipped to me in a big balled up mess with the lines all tangled up. They don't appear frayed or anything, but I wasn't sure if that would have a negative effect on it. Seeing as how it's my last chance canopy, I don't want to have any doubts about its performance when I have to use it. Is it okay to just have the rigger inspect it before he packs it or should I ship it to PD for a formal inspection? The Sabre was packaged well and everything is orderly and looks good. But, I'd still feel better if someone looked it over and told me it was good to go. Is the age on the reserve okay? I think it had about 10-13 repacks before I bought it. Also, the lines are still tangled because I'm having trouble sorting through them all in the limited space of my apartment. Is that a bad thing? So, that's about it. Any thoughts?Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IanHarrop 42 #2 March 2, 2005 Get thee to a rigger woman and have thine gear inspected (but its probably fine). I bought my first set of gear used in 1976. The only new gear I have ever purchased was just 1 year ago and in the meantime my g/f bought new used gear and when my son gets gear it will be used. Your rigger will inspect it and make recommendations for things that can be done to make it better. Once the rigger has assembled the rig and made any necessary changes for safety you should feel a lot better about your gear. -- Edited because my computer still has trouble understanding my typing."Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #3 March 2, 2005 STOP trying to untangle the reserve and get it to your rigger of choice. You may be making it worse and you may snag it on furnature, spill ice cream on it, who knows what. It's probably fine but you not going to be helping. It'll take the rigger about 10 minutes to untangle it. Maybe more now. Have the rigger look at the main as well as the reserve and relax. If it would make you feel better you could send it to PD but probably no need. 95 and 98 are not old.I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kris 0 #4 March 2, 2005 Agreed. Get it to a rigger to have them check it, but it sounds like you picked up some solid gear that should last you quite awhile, Missy.Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stacy 0 #5 March 2, 2005 I know a fabulous rigger in Palm Beach County who would do a check so thorough on yor gear that he could tell you how many stitches are in each parachute. congrats missy! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dagny 0 #6 March 3, 2005 Quotecongrats missy! Gracias!! Now when I move up near Zhills...and you see a pitiful looking newbie skydiver in some shiny new-ish gear looking for a couple of RW partners, you'll know it's me! So come and snag me when you're looking for a little four way funnel action!!! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BETO74 0 #7 March 3, 2005 I seen you in Sebastian...get Craig to check that equipment is always a good idea to have somebody chech used equipment, it also seems to me that the person you bought it from was not neat at all letting all the lines get tangle?? he/she could use rubberbads at least to keep it from the mess. Later Carloshttp://web.mac.com/ac057a/iWeb/AC057A/H0M3.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crazydiver 0 #8 March 3, 2005 I just sold a sabre 135 last year that was made in 1995 and it was in amazing shape. THe contianer it was in, a vector III was also in amazing shape and it was made the same year. Since you bought a PD reserve, you should have no worries. THey are BY FAR the best reserve canopies on the marker. Be happy that your last resort is a PD. You pretty much never hear about malfunctions on pd reserves that weren't due to the user. Other manufacturers definetly can't say that as confidently as PD. Cheers, Travis Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
okalb 104 #9 March 3, 2005 QuoteQuotecongrats missy! Now when I move up near Zhills...and you see a pitiful looking newbie skydiver in some shiny new-ish gear looking for a couple of RW partners, you'll know it's me! So come and snag me when you're looking for a little four way funnel action!!! Come find me....we'll take care of you. Hell we may even make a good skydiver out of you. As for the gear, I am sure it is fine but I would have a reliable rigger check it out. If you are going to be anywhere near z-hills, bring it by the loft and we can take care of that too. -OKTime flies like an arrow....fruit flies like a banana Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dagny 0 #10 March 3, 2005 Oh! Another question... How long does it take to inspect canopies and pack the reserve? Do I need to commit a weekend or just a day? Should I call the rigger and let him know that I need it done or just show up and ask if he can fit it in? And, I'm expecting the reserve pack expense, but how much more should I bring for him inspecting the canopies, too? Thanks! I'm so new to this whole thing! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dagny 0 #11 March 3, 2005 QuoteCome find me....we'll take care of you. Hell we may even make a good skydiver out of you. Cool, thanks...I'll definitely be looking for you. I'm doing some RW stuff right now, but it has been small and usually we only form the base and the rest doesn't come together, so I've never actually turned points yet. *sigh* But, one day I'll be in something other than a 4way round! I hope!Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #12 March 3, 2005 Call ahead to plan a mid-week time for drop-off. Your rigger will require a minimum of 3 hours/1 day to inspect, assemble and pack your reserve. A main inspection and assembly will require at least an hour, more if it needs any repairs. Some riggers allow customers to watch the boring inspection process, while others find that too many questions break their routine. Few riggers enjoy "rush" jobs during the weekend. The best riggers are multi-rated and can make far more money doing tandems on a Saturday morning. For example, last Saturday morning a guy dropped off two reserves for repack. Even though I told manifest that I did not want to jump because of a sore knee ("doored" while riding my bicycle to work), I ended up being the only cameraman on the DZ, so had to do a couple of tandem jumps instead of repacking his reserves. I did not finish his reerves until Sunday evening. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrewEckhardt 0 #13 March 3, 2005 Quote Is it okay to just have the rigger inspect it before he packs it or should I ship it to PD for a formal inspection? When you ask for a repack you get an Inspection and Repack. The inspection is the important part - F111 pack jobs are good pretty much indefinately if you don't get them wet, spill chemicals on them, etc. The inspection covers all the fabric and seams (both outside and inside - you can actually crawl inside canopies that size), all the bar tacks, the lines including finger traps and bar tacks on both ends, slider including grommets, slider bumpers, links... Service bulletins will be applied, any problems or oversights will be fixed, etc. You're also supposed to strength test the fabric every year. Permeability must be checked after 25 uses or 40 repacks. The same inspection can be done on the main, although ZP fabric does not become porous (leakage when packing comes from the stitching holes opening up). Some riggers will give you a check list with all the inspection points, tools in and out, serial numbers, etc. I think that's a fine idea Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dagny 0 #14 March 3, 2005 Who does the permeability and strength testing? The rigger?Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DancingFlame 0 #15 March 3, 2005 QuoteWho does the permeability and strength testing? The rigger? Porosity tests are performed at factory. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrewEckhardt 0 #16 March 3, 2005 QuoteWho does the permeability and strength testing? The rigger? The rigger can test strength with a scale and clamps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
