Hardware Gouging

[azdirttorpedo 0]

I have sent the attached photo to Mirage for an assesment and I have been told by them that this is normal wear on legstrap hardware, or a defect in the mold. I ordered this rig a year ago and the problem just showed up a couple of weeks ago. No one I have shown it to has ever seen it before, what do you guys think? Anyone else have this happen to them?

[hookitt 1]

Are you certain that was not there the whole time? I know very few people that look that closely at hardware.

It looks like a minor flaw. It doesn't look like it's just recently appeared.

My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

[azdirttorpedo 0]

I am one of those peole who inspect their hardware very closely. From the beginning I was taught to check hardware for cracks, and though I will admit I don't check it before each jump but at least once a week or so. I am positive It wasn't always there. I'm not too worried about it but it's something I keep a close eye on now. Just wanted to know if anyone else has had this experience and what the outcome was.

[freakydiver 0]

Did you have a collision of any sort, like while landing or in free fall? Perhaps a collision on exit??

-- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

[Remster 30]

I think the manufacturer knows best. And to me it looks like a mold issue.

Remster

[JohnRich 4]

Quote

I have sent the attached photo to Mirage for an assesment...

You are calling this tiny imperfection on the surface a "problem", but haven't specified what problem it is causing you. Is this fitting actually doing something you don't like, or are you just concerned about what it "might" do?

It doesn't look like it would cause any problems to me. If the manufacturer says not to worry about it, then I wouldn't.

[kenneth21441 0]

In looking at the photo... I would be safe to say that this was made that way with something in the mold.......
It should not cause you a problem unless it starts to crack..... and i can not see that happening figuring that this link is rated at xx amount of pounds..... and its not on the ends of the link....

thank you,

Ken,.,

Kenneth Potter
FAA Senior Parachute Rigger
Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA)
FFL Gunsmith

[mjosparky 4]

It is hard to give an opinion from looking at a picture. If there is a rigger in your area, have him/her look at.

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[darkwing 5]

with the caveat that I only get to see the photo, this looks like something that has been there since it was manufactured. It is certainly consistent with surface imperfections I have seen many, many times. I don't see it as an issue.

(subject to revision upon actual hands-on inspection)

-- Jeff
My Skydiving History

[riggersam 1]

It is rather difficult to tell from the photo. I'm certainly no hardware expert, but IMHO, it appears to me that imperfection existed before the plating went on.

The photo appears to show a similar, but more shallow, imperfection on the other side. The wear makes it look like it has been there a while, too.

Mark

[riggerrob 643]

Seeing as how the cadmium plating is still intact, it appears that the depression was caused by a dirty forging die and has been there since before it left the hardware factory.
Considering how shallow the defect is, I would quit worrying about it.

[riggermick 7]

Quote

In looking at the photo... I would be safe to say that this was made that way with something in the mold.......
It should not cause you a problem unless it starts to crack..... and i can not see that happening figuring that this link is rated at xx amount of pounds..... and its not on the ends of the link....

thank you,


Just to clarify, hardware isn't molded it's forged (a very different process from molding). Looking at the picture it's a Forgecraft MS 220401-1 (-1 = cadmimum plating) manufactured in August of 2001. As others have pointed out, the plating is covering the "pitt" indicating that the drop hammer may have had some imperfection on it as it struck the piece or the steel may have had an air pocket close to the surface. The forging process literally hammers out air bubbles and inperfections in the surface of the steel. As far as being a safety hazzard it just is'nt. The weakest part of the hardware is the sliding bar, it's only rated at 1000 lbs @ 90 deg to the load direction. The hardware is rated @ 2500 lbs for nomal installation. During normal deployment the hardware only recieves 50% of the load path during opening shock. It is far less than the rated load. Harnesses are traditionaly overbuilt to withstand many punishing scenarios they can be subject to. I hope this makes you feel more confident in you equipment.

Mick.

• Quote

[park1231 0]

You could probably take it to a machine shop and have it magnifluxed to check for cracks

[azdirttorpedo 0]

Thanks, Mick. That's the best answer I've got on the subject. The only reason I brought it up with you guys is because all that have seen it in person say "whoa, you'd better have that checked out." Then the first reply from mirage was as follows:

"Good morning,

We looked at your picture and we have seen this on regular hardware. This is caused by the slide bar going back and forth and what that is the finish coming off. This is not a problem unless you see a groove wearing into the hardware then we would be concerned. Keep an eye on this and let us know if wear begins to show. This was shown to the designer of our containers and this is his explanation on what you are seeing and from what the picture shows to us.

Thanks,

Connie

That's what kind of got me going because a groove did appear. I'll quit bitchin' now that mick has put things into perspective. There was just something about the idea of falling out of my rig that didn't sit well with me.

[riggermick 7]

Quote

Thanks, Mick. That's the best answer I've got on the subject. The only reason I brought it up with you guys is because all that have seen it in person say "whoa, you'd better have that checked out." Then the first reply from mirage was as follows:

"Good morning,

We looked at your picture and we have seen this on regular hardware. This is caused by the slide bar going back and forth and what that is the finish coming off. This is not a problem unless you see a groove wearing into the hardware then we would be concerned. Keep an eye on this and let us know if wear begins to show. This was shown to the designer of our containers and this is his explanation on what you are seeing and from what the picture shows to us.

Thanks,

Connie

That's what kind of got me going because a groove did appear. I'll quit bitchin' now that mick has put things into perspective. There was just something about the idea of falling out of my rig that didn't sit well with me.

I'm glad I was able to help.
Mick.