Seizing wire v loctite

[FergusM]

I have just been in a chandlers, and I asked for monel seizing wire, as I prefer to have all my shackles locked with wire. He told me he didn't stock it, because of problems with galvanic corrosion. I asked him what he used for locking shackle pins, and he said he used loctite. I actually have enough wire left, both monel and galvanized, to do the anchor shackle and similar critical shackles, but I wondered if loctite might be better. Has anyone any experience of using it in this role?

Just as an aside, he is part of the great fastenings rip-off. I needed 6 bolts, M5 x 60 mm, and he offered me two pre-packs of 4 bolts, at £2.15 each. I told him to keep them.

 

[DaveS]

I think I'd be happier with the visible mechanical lock that you get with wire. While there's sometimes applications where there is no real alternative to Loctite, I've had mixed experiences. My tiller is connected to the square section solid aluminium top of the rudder stock by two capscrews. One of these has a tendency to undo itself. An obvious Loctite application you would think - but three applications to date have made little difference. It's a fairly minor pest - a few seconds to tighten up when I notice that there's play in the tiller. With an anchor shackle, however ...

 

[Mirelle]

Two points, really:

1. Personally, I would not trust Loctite on rigging. Spendid stuff in the right place, but it does not seem to be intended for a marine environment, and the stresses may not be what it is expecting, so to speak. Furthermore, I prefer to see a wire seizing, because I can see at once that it is there, and I know I have done it.

2. In the case of mooring shackles, and perhaps anchor shackles, where corrosion can be an issue,. I prefer to use a nylon cable tie. I have noticed that this is what EYE recommend for mooring shackles.

 

[RupertW]

I've always used cheapo green gardening wire from B&Q, both for seizing and gardening. Costs virtually nothing and has a breaking strain ludicrously bigger than the strain it'll encounter. As it's plastic-bound it won't scratch sails either.

Re: Loctite - I agree with the others about wanting to see what's happening, and I also want to be able to adjust rigging from time to time, especially at the beginning of the season when you get the first couple of blows and can reallly see what goes slack, and how much.

 

[TigaWave]

I've used thin cable ties in the past, surprisingly strong. Or for permenant threaded fixings you can use araldite, to release it you just need some heat to soften the epoxy.

 

[Ruffles]

OTOH Loctite seems to stop threads on shackles rusting up completely. So use both?

Rob.

 

[Lakesailor]

I've had nylon cable ties wear through on a mooring shackle. Wire is ok but seems to loosen. Best is to use a shackle with a pin that protrudes past the shackle threaded boss. Then peen it over with a hammer. It's not going to come out then.

 

[Ships_Cat]

I use ss wire - seems to be readily available (at least here in NZ) from companies that do professional wire rope work (eg for fishing fleets, etc).

Last time I bought some was probably 8 or so years ago. Guy just wound me off a length and made a nominal charge for it - still have enuff left for a quite a few more years.

John

 

[john_morris_uk]

I find it very strange that the chandler doesn't stock monel wire. Its commonly available and I have never heard of problems with galvanic action even on anchor shackles or underwater shackles whilst using it.

Like some other forumites, I do have a problem with using cable ties on mooring lines. They do chafe through, and a wire mousing is a lot more secure. Nylon also degrades in u/v, and our mooring maintenance agent claims to use a special sort of tie that is u/v resistant.

I would stick to monel wire, and try a different chandlers!

 

[LeonF]

The professional company near my sailing club that do monster size buoys and lifting gear etc use cable ties for all sorts of major applications. They said they use special UV resistant ties.

 

[Evadne]

I use monel on above water applications, for moorings (which I don't have to deal with, the boatyard maintains ours) I would use chicken wire (galvanised steel wire). Nylon cable ties are not as strong: you can undo a cabletie seized shackle with a shifter without first removing the cable tie but you can't do that with wire. Shacklse ca "work" under rare circumstances.

For your fixings, have you tried mail order? Screwfix and A2A4 are both pretty good.