line connectors

[Steven Kientz]

 I am looking to upgrade my connectors from sliding type to either scissor snap or crosslocks. I have a pair of scissor snaps, although they are probably bigger than I need. Currently all of my planes are 35-46 powered, weight unknown at this time. I would think the crosslock weighs less with the same strength.Any recommendations or thoughts on this would be most appreciated.

Thanks
Steve

[Wayne J. Buran]

Brodak BH-706 Snap connectors, 110 lb. test. I have been using them since John Brodak brought them out. Never failed a pull test on my AMA Profile and Class 1 Carrier ships. I also used them on my 40-65 stunters. Hands down the best available. For custom hard point handle usage Jim Lee has the right product.
Wayne

[Steven Kientz]

same connectors i have been looking at, just a different source(Fishing Tackle Depot).

Thanks
Steve

[Geoff Goodworth]

The snap connectors are a fishing tackle item that we call Hawiian Snaps on this side of the Pacific. Many sizes and load capacities—check your favourite tackle shop.

[William DeMauro]

I get mine from here.http://lurepartsonline.com/Online-Store/Snaps-Clips/Mc-Rosco-Snaps.html   I buy the #5 ten packs.

[Randy Powell]

I need to get one of the little Lee Machine Shop tools so I can make my own.

[Steven Kientz]

I bought some Eagle Claw Duolock snaps locally today. Sizes are #4&#5. Lighter than the scissor snaps,but still rated for 50#, I think. I'm going to check one more local tackle shop before I order any.

Steve

[John Cralley]

I get mine from here.http://lurepartsonline.com/Online-Store/Snaps-Clips/Mc-Rosco-Snaps.html   I buy the #5 ten packs.

Yep, that is where I got mine too.

[john e. holliday]

So far the clips I make using Carl Shoupe's unit have been holding up for stunt, racing and carrier.   Can make them any length I want for the sets of lines that I don't get done evenly.

[Steve Helmick]

So far the clips I make using Carl Shoupe's unit have been holding up for stunt, racing and carrier.   Can make them any length I want for the sets of lines that I don't get done evenly.

Doc, any chance you could post a picture of Carl's clipmaker? I have the Jim Lee unit (Derek Moran's design). When I got it, I made all sorts of lengths...a bad idea. Don't make them more than 1/4" longer than stock length. I like it, but always interested in other ideas. Keith Varley came up with his solution, using a cheap drillpress vise, two dowel pins and a stack of plywood shims. I love this style of clip, and wouldn't use any of the fishing snaps for any reason whatsoever. If you like them, be sure that they are NOT brass under whatever finish they have!    Steve

[Reptoid]

Eric Rule @ RSM has very nicely made ones here:
 
http://www.rsmdistribution.com/index-2.htm

if you're not into making your own or running to tackle shops to find them. they are rated @ 80lb. or 100lb. depending on the size you pick. I like these a lot better than the ones with a small end and large end.
 Much more prone to self align and not hang up on your leadout eyelet or handle ring.

[Steven Kientz]

I bought some Eagle claw "lazer' quicklink #2(60#) yesterday. I think they will work on some of my smaller planes(Super clown, skyray based trainer, and ringmaster). The duolocks I bought the other day are rated for 75# + not 50#.

Steve

[Joe Yau]

Keith Varley came up with his solution, using a cheap drillpress vise, two dowel pins and a stack of plywood shims.

Here's one I put together from Keith's idea..

[Brett Buck]

I love this style of clip, and wouldn't use any of the fishing snaps for any reason whatsoever. If you like them, be sure that they are NOT brass under whatever finish they have!   

    To my knowledge, they have always been chrome or chrome-painted-black over brass. I have yet to see any indication of failure or work-hardening and they are generally the preferred clip for many decades now. Certainly more reliable than the "Luxon" snaps - which are also chrome-plated brass but still have the tendency to come open. Paul banned the Luxon type from the NATs when he was running it.

   Brett

[Andrew Hathaway]

The fishing tackle squeeze clips don't last forever.  The spring tension goes away before they fail.



I'm in the process of phasing out the fishing clips in favor of clips made with the Derek Moran/Jim Lee clip bender.  The round wire works better anyway.  Since it's round it doesn't wear out the holes in my hardpoint handle, they don't get cocked on the leadouts/line eyelets, etc. 

[Steven Kientz]

Thanks for pics, Andrew. I guess checking the connectors and lines each session is a must. Didn't think about the connectors loosing spring tension.

Thanks
Steve

[Andrew Hathaway]

Those clips look abused, I've never had one break or lose tension. You must be opening them up too much and bending them.

You can take a new McMahon McRosco McWhatever clip out of the package, and squeeze it.  Then take one off a handle or set of lines that's actually been used frequently, and give it a squeeze.  You can feel that the used clip is softer after having been squeezed several times.  They always loosen up with age.  In normal use, the squeeze open action bends the clip.  It's just brass, and eventually it'll break just like bending a paperclip back and forth.  The point I was attempting to illustrate, is that eventually that bending will effect the brass.  Fortunately, there are plenty of warning signs before they fail, like most of the chrome wearing off, no longer returning to the fully closed position, and a fairly obvious loss of spring tension.  It takes a lot of use, but they do eventually fail. 

I don't know that a hard stainless clip would last as long, or longer, but they have enough other benefits, and they're cheap enough.