High strength shackle

typhoonNige

typhoonNige

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I discovered these at a chandlery in Martinique 3 years ago but can’t find a source in the UK. After two years service mine still looks good and came undone (eventually!) when I wanted to fit new chain. Is there a better shackle for anchor rode? I can’t find one.
 
Not difficult to find. For example, both Force 4 and Jimmy green have them - I have bought recently from both. May not be the same brand (Force 4 are Titan) but come with an identifiable load rating.
 
The best available in the UK are Crosby G209a shackles (the 'a' is important). Do not buy the G209 shackles, they have half the strength.

To ensure you buy correctly the 3/8th" shackle has a WLL of 2t.

I have only tested 3/8th" shackles which fit an 8mm metric chain - check the pin fits your chain, all the suppliers have dimensions on their websites

These shackles are available from a variety of sources, I believe, I have bought mine from Tecni in the UK.

CMP Titan shackles are rated in Imperial tons, so it is 2 short tons. I find this slightly disturbing that a product is described in a metric market as being '2t' but it is only on the website it clearly defines that it is 2 Imperial tons. But I can be a bit pedantic. be wary of buying Titan shackles - there are a number who use the same brand. I recall CMP's are branded CMP Titan. I would not buy them and recommend Crosby.

In American Peerless and Campbell both have shackles similar in quality to the Crosby shackles, Peerless in their G80 range, Called Peerlift and Campbell describe theirs as 'Orange Pin' shackles. I have not found a source for these shackles in the UK, nor Australia but you can source from the likes of Defender in the US. Both the Peerless and Campbell shackles I rate (having tested them).

Peerless have a blue pin, Campbell their orange pin the Crosby ones have a silver pin (but its just paint - don't get excited - I think they call it their platinum range.)

There are at least another 3 suppliers but they are Asian and I have not yet tested them (but unless you are in Asia - difficult to source.

All of these shackles have a conventional clevis pin with a 'lug' to unscrew them. I have not found anyone making a high strength shackle with an Alan key recess. I believe Jimmy Green supply a shackle with an Alan key recess, I have not tested one and I don't recall its strength - for some reason I think it comes from France and maybe high strength. Chainerie Lousine????

All shackles will lose 50% of their strength if loaded at 90 degrees - I've tested that as well.

Jonathan
 
I tend to find that all shackles are pretty strong is sized properly. Their undoing, is usually due to them undoing.
 
typhoonNige said:
This link was meant to appear in my original post but isn’t visible to me so here it is again
Manille Oméga Force7 HR Grade 70 - Ø8 - Rupture 7000kg
Click to expand...

I think you can get those shackles from Jimmy Green - I'm not sure being based in Oz.

But they not as good as the G209a Crosby, Peerlift G80 and Campbell Orange pin shackles which are a G80 quality (I know, there is not much in it)

As I mentioned the Crosby shackles are available from Tecni who I think are based in Bristol.

The Crosby shackles have a 2t WLL for a 3/8th" shackle. Most shackles you find in hardware stores for a 3/8th" shackle have WLL of 1t. All shackles when side loaded at 90 degrees reduce their WLL by 50% - so that 1t WLL becomes 500kg and if you are matching with 8mm G30 or G40 chain then the chain WLL is 750kg or 1,000kg respectively. It totally lacks logic to use an ordinary shackle that might cost Stg8 instead of taking the trouble buy a Crosby shackle that might cost stg15 and match the cheap shackle to chain that cost stg500 securing yacht worth stg200,000 (or even one worth stg20,000). (Don't be picky about the costs - I'm making it up :). ).

Most cheap shackles, the 3/8th" WLL 1t shackles are simply batch tested - and the batch may be huge. I think they are an excellent buy if you have a big dog or an adventurous youngster. I don't think they have a place on a yacht (except to secure the dog). I don't recommend CMP Titan shackles as I don't trust their test protocols (and have the background to support my prejudices)

If you buy a Crosby shackle - buy 2, people lose their shackle pins.

I have an 'ordinary' shackle given to me. It has been prized open - the pin simply pulled out of the thread. He lost an expensive Excel anchor, check Jimmy Green to get an accurate price for the anchor. The shackle is a 3/8th" so I guess the anchor was 15/20kg.

There must be other sources in the UK for Crosby shackles (they now own Gunnebo - try other lifting supply distributors or the Gunnebo agent/distributor). If you know people in N Am they could easily source Peerlift or Campbell shackles.

To secure the pins - Loctite and or mousing wire has been mentioned to be reliable (for as long as I remember - which is not that long :( ).

Obviously if the hardware store 3/8th" shackle is WLL 1t then you can buy a bigger one with a WLL 2t - but then it will not fit the chain and maybe not the anchor.

Take care, stay safe

Jonathan
 
Thanks Jonathan. I will follow your recommendation when a replacement is needed. I do like the fact that this type doesn’t have a lug on the pin though. One less thing to get caught on the way over the bow
 
typhoonNige said:
Thanks Jonathan. I will follow your recommendation when a replacement is needed. I do like the fact that this type doesn’t have a lug on the pin though. One less thing to get caught on the way over the bow
Click to expand...

I sympathise - I have searched for 'smooth' shackles without success. I've talked to shackle makers - if you order by the thousands - they will make what you want.

The shackles that Jimmy Green are now stocking, from the French chain maker, now have the backing of one of the top European lifting component and chain makers (I forget who Rud...??) - so their QC should be unquestionable

Some cut the lug off, I've done it myself and grooved the 'cut' to take a big screw driver. I have not tested the cut shackles.

However having tested shackles I am conscious that the 'lug' adds strength to the end of the pin and I have tested STAINLESS shackles with an Alan key slot where the whole end of the pin has pulled through the eye that retains it. I also have the gal shackle where the thread simply failed and the pin pulled out. I am thus hesitant with the idea of cutting the lug off. I don't believe our needs, for a smooth shackle, is unique - but Crosby, Peerless, Campbell and Van Beest do not make them.

The better shackles really don't cost much, just a bit of aggravation having to do it mail order, but when I asked Tecni to send cheapest possible way to Oz - they complied.

We don't hold any of the lesser quality shackles on our cat - all meet the G80 quality. Its too easy to have a mix and use the wrong one - I noted the owner who lost his new Excel anchor - not something you forget :(. We carry spare anchors and each has the shackle already attached at the shank end.


I never said this but

If you cut a couple of mm off the end of the lug - say through the hole in the pin - it is difficult to believe you will seriously comprise strength (just don't cut the whole lug off!). If you do this - cut at 90 degrees, round the ends of the cut, leaving enough of the lug to be held in a Mole wrench to allow you to release and then secure the thread with Loctite. Note that there is a shoulder at the pin end (between lug and pin) . It is this shoulder and the lug that retains the pin.

As an aside chain failure appears to be a thing of the past. Any fears of Chinese product currently have no basis. Many people are rejecting swivels or buying high quality versions and swivel failure is not now reported. There is some acceptance of quality shackles - I'd not like to see the reliability of the rode to be compromised. Much credit should go to Vyv Cox for his testing schedule, check his website.

Rode product appears to be of good quality and maybe anchor threads will become less common :)

Take care, stay safe

Jonathan
 
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