Easylock 1 won't grip

[lampshuk]

Hi - interested in any suggestions in how to make my Easylock 1 "mini" clutches grip my main halliards and reefing lines.
The clutch has been on my old Moody 31 for ages, and during the off-season I re-arranged the clutches.
My reefing lines are 8mm, the topping list and main halliard ware both 10mm. The topping lift is a bit more "matt" than the main halliard.

Anyway: the clutches are no longer able to hold the main halliard. Not just a couple of mm of slip, but 6-8 inches, so hopeless. The topping lift seems to be OK - but a fail in the TL clutch without the main hoisted could be even worse than a soggy main luff. Reefing lines are no-hopers.

I have dismantled the clutch, and the springs pressing the jaws down are all intact. The teeth on the actual cam are somewhat worn, but not obviously "shaped". They look as though they ought to be able to grip the line, and 8 and 10 mm are well within the scope of the Easlylock 1.

It looks like it's just about possible to get new cams, but at over 30 euros each I might as well buy a new clutch.

Anybody have experience of refurbishing an Easylock 1? Could I file the teeth of the cams? Sounds a bit desperate...

Thanks in advance,

Lampsh

 

[michael_w]

I had Easylock (aka easyslip) clutches on one boat. They slipped all the time, the only solution is to replace them with Spinlock clutches.

 

[MoodySabre]

I replaced all mine with Spinlocks. Those old Easylocks are very poor by comparison and hard work on the fingers. Treat yourself!

 

[lampshuk]

Umm. I was afraid that might be the answer. The dual Spinlocks which I assume are a similar age are working fine.

 

[sailorman]

what are the lines, matt or shiny, matt works better in those jammers ( not actually a clutch )

 

[lampshuk]

The topping lift is more matt than the main, but neither is what I would call "shiny".

What's the difference between a jammer and a clutch?

 

[sailorman]

The topping lift is more matt than the main, but neither is what I would call "shiny".

What's the difference between a jammer and a clutch?

look at your spinlock & Easy lock to see how they operate & you will see

 

[lampshuk]

Hmm. Mysterious. Must remember to take a look next time I am down at the boat.

But they are both suitable for the same application?

 

[sailorman]

Hmm. Mysterious. Must remember to take a look next time I am down at the boat.

But they are both suitable for the same application?

The easylock, is that with just the simple cam with a rod handle on it ,or double action cam & that depresses a jammer

 

[AngusMcDoon]

The Easylocks, when they get old, fail to grip sometimes because the spring is not strong enough to push the internal gubbins forwards. Years of crud doesn't help. You can tell if this is the problem if you half close the handle and push the internal mechanism forwards with a finger. If it then grips then they will respond to a removal, full dismantling and some light lube on the moving parts.

 

[lampshuk]

I think the Easylock 1 is a bit different. It doesn't press forward, like the midi, just has a torsion spring pushing the upper jaw down. Depressing the lever just squashes the cam onto the rope, so that the jaws can engage with the rope. I've dismantled the unit, and the springs and action are fine. In fact, it's in better condition than the one I bought off ebay to try and cannibalise for spares.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Ah, ok. Mine are all midis.