We were just discussing Farm & Fleet a few days back. That's where I get my quick links for a fraction of what the big box chains charge. Of course they used to be even cheaper when they were in the loose hardware pegs, instead of blister packed, shrink wrapped, and carded. IIRC the packaging doubled their price. At least they still sell the bulk hardware by the pound. I need some more of the 7/8" hex nuts but they don't carry them that large any more :(

I've had a shroud line hang but it really didn't affect the recovery any....just wasn't as pretty as it could have been......lol

Actually, I've never had any problem with the "safety pin" style.....but I usually use them on my smaller rockets that really don't experience much of a deployment velocity.......or they use streamers...... :D

You can also find "quick links" at the top of every page in YORF, right under your login...:chuckle:

OK, bad joke. :rolleyes:

There is a well-stocked Ace Hardware in my area, which is where I find all manner of things like quick links (the real kind). Oddly enough, though, my most recent purchase of them was at Walmart. (One of the few useful items of general hardware that they stock. Sold in pairs, blister- or vac-packed onto a card.)

My local True Value and Aubuchon (a local chain) hardware stores also stock them. They are usually hanging on pegs next to the eye bolts, eye lag screws (screw eyes) and U-bolts.

MarkII

You Will :mad:

They'll work fine for the Astron Alpha class kits. I used them for my first decade in the hobby. Then I got to NARAM-18, and had my chute leave the party on what would have been a 2nd place D ELA flight. The model pranged, the egg smashed to bits, and the chute drifted off. I did find it, and the snap was ripped open.

That was the last time I used one of those.

Be aware, after just shopping for this type of hardware to install a porch swing, that if you have a TSC, Rural King, or Big R (or other 'farm supply' type store) that they will be significantly cheaper on these quick links and related hardware than Lowe's or Home Depot. As far as local hardware stores, YMMV... :) OL JR :)

You've had some luck then... ever get a bonus delay though with plain 'brass barrel' swivels without the locks and you're probably screwed... at least I was...

I used the old 'no-lock style snap swivels years ago a had a couple fail... they only have to 'stretch' a fraction of an inch for the end to pop out of the 'safety pin' clip, and when the end springs open, usually there's stilll enough deployment force to spring it open the rest of the way and turn the shock cord or nosecone loose, and BOOM instant seperation...

The lock type swivels can absorb that fraction of an inch of 'springing' and the lock merely slides up the wire a bit and usually springs back. I've NEVER had one of the locking type fail. Our local W/M has about 50/50 locking/nonlocking types... OL JR :)

So then the yolk was on you... ;)

No, I haven't had one fail yet either, no doubt due in part to the fact that I haven't been launching much lately. (They can't fail if they never get used...) But what I have read here and previously has concerned me enough that I will be replacing most of mine. When you can find the coastlock swivels, they usually have the same price as the "safety pin clasp" style. They are a little bit harder to find in the stores, but you can also get them online (links posted earlier).

MarkII

What's up with Wal*Mart and swivels?

Both Wally Worlds where I shop are totally out of anything resembling a swivel. Today, after I pinned down one of the staff, I was told the shipment of new swivels would arrive tomorrow. Apparently, all the existing stock was clearanced out and a new supplier will be providing stock in the future.

I checked the clearance aisles, found some fishing gear, but no swivels.

While I was there, I picked up some two-packs of Duro super glue gel in the 3g size for a buck...and more motors. :D

Yeah, I ran into the same thing. Fortunately I managed to score one pack of swivels at one W*M - the only ones that were reasonably sized that were being clearanced out. Looks to me like perhaps they're changing vendors.......

Wal-Mart sucks!