Metal rings for spectra lines?

[Matt Curtis]

Will vmc stainless steel split rings work for spectra line?

[Colin McRae]

Will vmc stainless steel split rings work for spectra line?

What is the purpose of the split ring?

The double loop spectra can be attached directly to the connectors at the handle and model.

[Dan McEntee]

What is the purpose of the split ring?

The double loop spectra can be attached directly to the connectors at the handle and model.

   If you attach the line to a welded ring, then you can simply change connectors should you need to desire to, just the same as you would if using steel lines. By tying them to the connector, you have to cut and retie the line if you need to change one for any reason. I use the welded rings that Dennis Adamisin ( I think) recommended in the "Adventures In Spectra" thread. I pretty much do my lines like is spelled out in that thread, starting with the video by Mike Stinson on tying the loop and then attaching the ring. I get the welded rings from TackleDirect, the same place that Dennis recommended. I use #3 rings on small models and #4 on everything else. Test rating on these is several hundred pounds I thing. Split rings might be OK for 1/2A stuff but anything above a .25 I would stick with welded rings.
  Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

[Colin McRae]

By tying them to the connector, you have to cut and retie the line if you need to change one for any reason.
  Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

Dan

  Mine are not "tied" to the connector. The connector is scissor-split and the double loop spectra just slides on to the connector. Can easily take the connector on and off as may be needed. My pic above is exactly what the video in 'adventures in spectra' shows.

[Ken Culbertson]

By using the welded ring as the attachment point for the spectra, all rubbing is transferred to the metal-on-metal ring to the connector. Probably 6 of one half a dozen of the other.

Ken

[Jim Hoffman]

I use SPRO welded rings part SWLSLR-04-12
Nicely made, strong enough for any application.  Rated at 300#+
https://spro.com/products/power-welded-rings-nsb?_pos=1&_sid=54fb3ef03&_ss=r

I once bought a cheap package of welded rings on Amazon.  The looked to be “washer like” having a semi rectangular cross section with soft edges.  Rounded off edges, but edges none the less.  I won’t use them

[Dan McEntee]

I use SPRO welded rings part SWLSLR-04-12
Nicely made, strong enough for any application.  Rated at 300#+
https://spro.com/products/power-welded-rings-nsb?_pos=1&_sid=54fb3ef03&_ss=r

I once bought a cheap package of welded rings on Amazon.  The looked to be “washer like” having a semi rectangular cross section with soft edges.  Rounded off edges, but edges none the less.  I won’t use them

   I think those are the same rings I get from Tackle Direct. They run out but generally restock pretty quickly. I kake a double loop like in Stinson's video to attach them, even on 1/2A Stuff. To me, that's where all the abuse and stress is.
  Type at you later,
    Dan McEntee

[John Park]

Dan

  Mine are not "tied" to the connector. The connector is scissor-split and the double loop spectra just slides on to the connector. Can easily take the connector on and off as may be needed. My pic above is exactly what the video in 'adventures in spectra' shows.

Isn't it common practice to attach Spectra lines to the connector (or, of course, to a welded ring) with a lark's head knot, which is easy to untie and re-tie as and when required, without cutting anything?

[Ken Culbertson]

I use a light weight hardpoint handle.  The only way to adjust is through clip length.  Tying to the clip at the plane is just not an option.  I use deep sea fishing clips for the handle so that I can get the round end of the connector facing the plane and through the bushed holes in the handle.  The clip end simply will not work on the handle.  I use a double surgeon loop on both ends with either #3 or #4 rings since I leave one clip on the plane.  Personally I would not subject the lines to the rubbing that comes from not tying, in some form, the line to the connector.

Ken

[Colin McRae]

Isn't it common practice to attach Spectra lines to the connector (or, of course, to a welded ring) with a lark's head knot, which is easy to untie and re-tie as and when required, without cutting anything?

Here is the video again of the recommended knot from the 'Adventures in Spectra' post. It is called a modified Surgeons knot. There is nothing 'tied' to a ring or connector. The ends are made up to form a double loop. Once the knot is made up, and loops are completed, the double loop simply slips onto the connector. You never have to cut anything. I've been using Spectra lines for 4 years now and simply make up the lines up as the video shows. I also inspect my lines regularly and I have not seen any wear. And I have never ever had a line or knot failure, or a knot loosen up or come apart. IMHO the use of a separate ring just is not necessary, but as always, modelers can (and should) do what they feel comfortable with.

[Dan McEntee]

Here is the video again of the recommended knot from the 'Adventures in Spectra' post. It is called a modified Surgeons knot. There is nothing 'tied' to a ring or connector. The ends are made up to form a double loop. Once the knot is made up, and loops are completed, the double loop simply slips onto the connector. You never have to cut anything. I've been using Spectra lines for 4 years now and simply make up the lines up as the video shows. I also inspect my lines regularly and I have not seen any wear. And I have never ever had a line or knot failure, or a knot loosen up or come apart. IMHO the use of a separate ring just is not necessary, but as always, modelers can (and should) do what they feel comfortable with.

   That's the knot/loop that I use, but then loop it over and cinch it to a welded ring. The point where everything comes together at the lead outs is where all the stress is, and I just like the idea of the double loop for the extra strength and reliability. Then I can change lips in a second or two, and things are more or less like they were with steel lines with eyelets. Once cinched it place, almost zero rubbing or un-necessary shock loads.  I'm not too keep on the fuel line over the clip, just one lest potentially obtrusive thing at the lead outs. While there may be no where the loop can go, it still strikes me as kind of floppy and not as secure. With a standard clip pf any kind, on a round, welded ring, everything pops into place where it should be the instant there is any tension put on the lines when running them out to the handle. It's just a lot more like what I am used to using and doing for the last 40 years.
   Type at you later,
    Dan McEntee

[Steve Helmick]

I found these at Tacklewarehouse and think they'd be perfect for braided flying lines. The pound test ratings seem impossible, but I'm also quite sure the braid would break first. I really like the idea of using a ring of some sort, and these would be my choice. I got some...can't find them right now, but they're smaller than you'd expect. Steve

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Decoy_GP_Ring_12pk/descpage-DGPR.html

[John Park]

Here is the video again of the recommended knot from the 'Adventures in Spectra' post. It is called a modified Surgeons knot. There is nothing 'tied' to a ring or connector. The ends are made up to form a double loop. Once the knot is made up, and loops are completed, the double loop simply slips onto the connector. You never have to cut anything. I've been using Spectra lines for 4 years now and simply make up the lines up as the video shows. I also inspect my lines regularly and I have not seen any wear. And I have never ever had a line or knot failure, or a knot loosen up or come apart. IMHO the use of a separate ring just is not necessary, but as always, modelers can (and should) do what they feel comfortable with.

Sorry, but you've missed my point.  I use the modified surgeon's knot, and of course the doubled loop can simply be attached to the connector in the same way as we all attach the leadout to the connector, i.e. by springing the connector apart as much as is necessary.  It's easy enough to do, but I also find a lark's head knot an even easier way of attaching the doubled loop to the connector.  Of course, if a welded ring is to be used, there are only two ways of attaching the ring to the doubled loop: by incorporating the ring as the modified surgeon's knot is actually being tied, or by using the lark's head knot.  That's the point I was trying to make.

[Ken Culbertson]

John, the double loop surgeon knot can be easily attached to a ring after it is tied.  Simple push the loop through the eyelet, fold it over and pull.  It will seat just like the last loop of a Palomar knot.

Ken

[John Miller]

Ken, if I'm not mistaken, what you described is called the Larks head knot. AKA the Lennie loop in our circles.

[Ken Culbertson]

Ken, if I'm not mistaken, what you described is called the Larks head knot. AKA the Lennie loop in our circles.

Sure is.  Had no idea it had a name.  Been using it on and off since I was a kid.  I like Lennie Loop better than Larks Head.

Thanks - Ken