skydivingchad 0 #1 May 7, 2007 I am a packer and have made it my new job to remind people to tack down their Slinks. The one thing I always seem to hear from people is they are waiting for them to set before tacking them. The way my wife and I see it is they will set set fine even if they are tacked down when installed. In other words is there a reason to wait to tack them down? What do you all think? Sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug. Pelt Head #3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
snafuhere 0 #2 May 7, 2007 tack down once I didn't for some 100 jumps and one settled somewhat off https://www.facebook.com/1skydive/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Unstable 9 #3 May 7, 2007 I know that the Aerydyne version of Main or reserve slinks (with the metal ring) require you to tack through the ring to hold them in place. Are you also referring to PD's version as well?=========Shaun ========== Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peregrinerose 0 #4 May 7, 2007 I think it's funny that you posted this while I was in the process of tacking down a new set of slinks Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crazydiver 0 #5 May 7, 2007 QuoteI am a packer and have made it my new job to remind people to tack down their Slinks. The one thing I always seem to hear from people is they are waiting for them to set before tacking them. The way my wife and I see it is they will set set fine even if they are tacked down when installed. In other words is there a reason to wait to tack them down? What do you all think? Slinks will hold in any orientation when routed correctly, but can cause malfunctions if the tabs (or rings) end up in a position where they are exposed. They pose no stregnth threat in this situation, but are asking to get brake lines and what not hung up on them. By tacking them down first, you are then telling them where to set themselves when they do settle. Tacking them after they have already been set provides no advantage to simply tacking them down first and eliminating the problem from the beginning. Alternatively, just as an FYI, tacking the slinks down after they have been set (even if out of place) is perfectly safe and viable. Remember to not tie the tacking too tight so that the thread is not loaded when the canopy is loaded. Cheers, Travis Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darkwing 5 #6 May 7, 2007 Tack them. No reason not to, and a very good reason to. -- Jeff My Skydiving History Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peregrinerose 0 #7 May 7, 2007 Quote Tack them. No reason not to, and a very good reason to. The hard part is convincing the people that we pack for to get it done. I'll do it for no charge, I'm pretty sure that the DZ riggers do it at no charge to, but people always find some reason to put it off even when I point out the tab that's sticking out and that I keep shoving back every pack job. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrHixxx 0 #8 May 7, 2007 When you install them, a simple 50lb pull will set them. If you do this with both loops of the slink the same length, they set quite nicely in place and there is no reason not to tack them. A little pinch in the middle to elongate the link (like after they've been loaded a few times) also helps. I set my slinks this way and they never jump out of the riser and they are untacked. However, I have no reservations with chopping my main if something is not right. I tack all of my rigging customer's soft links, main and reserve, and my reserve slinks are tacked. hope this helps, Hixxxdeath,as men call him, ends what they call men -but beauty is more now than dying’s when Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrBrant 0 #9 May 8, 2007 I don't tack my slinks. when I install them, I give them an initial 'set'. (read: a few hard tugs and a squeeze). A couple jumps sets them fully. I've never had problems with them shifting position after that. I'm ofen changing canopies, or containers, or sliders, etc. so tacking down every time would probably end up doing more harm than good. As long as the tab stays put, I see no problems with this. Aerodyne soft links, on the other hand, I tacked asap! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deadwood 0 #10 May 8, 2007 What do the Mfgs say in regards to tacking them?He who hesitates shall inherit the earth. Deadwood Skydive New Mexico Motorcycle Club, Touring Division Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigdad510 1 #11 May 8, 2007 The Master Rigger at my DZ told me to get mine tacked, so I did, but I didn’t listen to him right away so only one slink is offset. It just makes me feel better knowing they are tacked, plus I got tired of tucking the tab every time I packed. I think one of the reasons he gave me for tacking them is so that the friction from the grommets on my slider don’t hit the slinks at the tab, wear it out and then break. Brad Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
breadhead 0 #12 May 8, 2007 QuoteIn other words is there a reason to wait to tack them down? Installing/uninstalling RDS every few weeks ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squarecanopy 0 #13 May 8, 2007 I am not a rigger. I have changed my main twice myself and my PD slinks were not tacked originally nor are they now. I am not having any problem with the tabs being exposed and this is the first I have heard that they may need to be tacked. How do you tack them? Just burning a hole in the sky..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #14 May 8, 2007 I think one of the reasons he gave me for tacking them is so that the friction from the grommets on my slider don’t hit the slinks at the tab, wear it out and then break. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It is more a question of sharp edges on slider grommets cutting the tab. Ironically, the first Slink failure and the last Slink failure, were both caused by sharp edges on slider grommets. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darkwing 5 #15 May 8, 2007 "the tabs have never come out" doesn't mean that they can't come out. Really, you should tack them. An ounce of prevention.... -- Jeff My Skydiving History Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuckakers 425 #16 January 19, 2011 QuoteI am a packer and have made it my new job to remind people to tack down their Slinks. The one thing I always seem to hear from people is they are waiting for them to set before tacking them. The way my wife and I see it is they will set set fine even if they are tacked down when installed. In other words is there a reason to wait to tack them down? What do you all think? I've been jumping slinks on my main since they were first introduced and have never tacked them. I have experienced no problems after 2,000+ jumps with this configuration. I wonder how important tacking them actually is. Looking at the slink instructions on PD's website I see nothing about tacking them. One would think the manufacturer would add it to their "official" instructions if it was vital to safety. I also wonder if tacking them could cause a loss of tensil strength and/or improper tension on the unit if tacked incorrectly. Input is appreciated for this crusty old jumper that doesn't crack manuals very often any more.Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scrumpot 1 #17 January 19, 2011 Are you jumping type-8 Risers, or type-17, Chuck?coitus non circum - Moab Stone Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuckakers 425 #18 January 19, 2011 QuoteAre you jumping type-8 Risers, or type-17, Chuck? 17Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonlyski 8 #19 January 20, 2011 QuoteI also wonder if tacking them could cause a loss of tensil strength and/or improper tension on the unit if tacked incorrectly. Done incorrectly, alot of things can screw your rig up, as I'm sure you know... The trick is if you're going to do it, do it right! I don't have mine tacked, and they work fine, but I also don't let them set improperly."I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890 I'm an asshole, and I approve this message Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreefdiver 0 #20 January 20, 2011 mine are not tacked, type 17 I inspect every pack. only takes a secondDS#727, DB Cooper #41, POPS #11065, SCR #13183, FA #2125, SCS #8306, HALO #309 SRA #5930 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DiverMike 5 #21 January 20, 2011 QuoteWhat do the Mfgs say in regards to tacking them? From Performance Designs Owners Manual:Quote The first 15-20 deployments will cause the Slink to take a more permanent “set”. It is important to ensure that the tab is located between the risers during this period so as to insure this set occurs with the tab in the proper position. Once this has occured, the Slink will have a tendency to remain in this position. If this procedure is not followed, the tab may rotate out of position. Allowing the tab to remain outside of the risers during deployment and flight will result in excessive wear of the Slink, potentially leading to structural failure. Note: Should you find that the tab does not remain in place, PD recommends tacking the tab to insure it stays locked between the risers. For the same reason I jump off a perfectly good diving board. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #22 January 20, 2011 Well done! Newbies still can read. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
