Mousing a shackle

[lustyd]

Can someone please post a pic of a well done example of mousing a shackle? I've never done it before but have put several new ones on so think I ought to learn
Cheers
Dave

 

[G12]

http://wpcontent.answcdn.com/wikipe...3/Moused_shackle.gif/220px-Moused_shackle.gif

 

[PetiteFleur]

I use monel seizing wire in a 'figure of eight' pattern around the hole in the pin and adjacent leg of the shackle. Usually about three turns is enough, finished just by twisting the ends together, snipping the ends and tucking it in. Others use cable ties.
I must be honest and say that I used to do this on critical shackles but now just tighten them with a pair of pliers.
For the anchor shackle I use a shackle with a countersunk pin and Loctite.

A Vivacity 20 was my first boat!

 

[boomerangben]

http://wpcontent.answcdn.com/wikipe...3/Moused_shackle.gif/220px-Moused_shackle.gif

I have never moused a shackle, but many of the nuts on a helicopter are wire locked to achieve the same result. The shackle shown above could undo a quarter turn before the wire would go tight. I would have thought that it would have been better to have the mousing wire attached to the other side of the eye in the shackle pin. Have I missed something or does it not really matter?

 

[G12]

I have never moused a shackle, but many of the nuts on a helicopter are wire locked to achieve the same result. The shackle shown above could undo a quarter turn before the wire would go tight. I would have thought that it would have been better to have the mousing wire attached to the other side of the eye in the shackle pin. Have I missed something or does it not really matter?

I am also an (ex) aircraft tech and agree that the locking in that picture is loose..... but it gives the OP an idea of what to do. That may not be to aircraft standard but it would be effective. Remember the shackle is not torque loaded, it's probably just done up with a shackle key or pliers.
Mine are all nicely locked with the tail folded back on itself to prevent injuries and ripped waterproofs.

 

[prv]

I use monel seizing wire in a 'figure of eight' pattern around the hole in the pin and adjacent leg of the shackle. Usually about three turns is enough, finished just by twisting the ends together, snipping the ends and tucking it in.

That's what I do too, except that all the shackles I've handled on Stavros only had two turns, so that's all I do.

I must be honest and say that I used to do this on critical shackles but now just tighten them with a pair of pliers.

I do it religiously for anything aloft, having once missed one on the peak halyard block and had it come undone by the end of the season. The falling shackle actually landed on my head!

Pete

 

[Pye_End]

I use cable ties for shackles.

 

[lustyd]

The shackle shown above could undo a quarter turn before the wire would go tight.

I don't think this matters, a shackle doesn't need to be tight it just needs to not come undone since all of the force is lengthways.

I'm guessing nobody has a good photo, could someone take one next weekend for me if you think you have nicely done ones?
Ta
Dave

 

[Skylark]

I use cable ties for shackles.

me too.

 

[oldvarnish]

I use cable ties for shackles.

I used to but found they degraded quickly in the UV. I've used them to anchor several things to the pushpit but they don't last long before they become brittle and fail.

 

[fireball]

I used to but found they degraded quickly in the UV. I've used them to anchor several things to the pushpit but they don't last long before they become brittle and fail.

Depends which ones you use ... iirc the clear ones seem to suffer more than the black ones ...

We just use cable ties these days - cost is negligible and they are easy to apply

 

[gandy]

Not mentioned is the risk that the mousing wire can be chewed through by whatever the shackle is connected to. As happened on our mooring last year, which was secured by three turns of Monel wire. I'm not sure whether I now prefer thin wire that goes right into the corner out of the way, or thick wire that can take more punishment.

 

[SHUG]

I don't think this matters, a shackle doesn't need to be tight it just needs to not come undone since all of the force is lengthways.
Dave

I don't think that is correct. When there is a load on the shackle the friction between the pin and the chain could be sufficient to turn the pin when the chain rotates.

 

[lustyd]

I don't think that is correct. When there is a load on the shackle the friction between the pin and the chain could be sufficient to turn the pin when the chain rotates.

Which is what the mousing wire is for. This force will be tiny hence a small wire is sufficient.