Soft Shackle?

[troyboy162]

I came across this today and apparently they are in wide use back where I come from with the "overland crowd". Its a old tech item from sailing that has stood the test of time. I'm not sure I like the price, but its not outrageous for pre-made. Making your own seems possible given the ideal rope. I can see having one of these might be handy for those few situations where a proper shackle wont work right. Obviously you would want to take precautions if it were to break though.
http://www.softshackle.com/Shopping-cart.html

http://lucky8llc.com/Products.aspx?ProductID=7209#prettyPhoto
http://l-36.com/soft_shackles.php <----uses Amsteel line like we are used to seeing in nice winch lines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH66tGsWv_Y
http://www.lucky8llc.com/ImageUploads/ProductID7209ImageID6027.JPG

[4x4mike]

Interesting. I can see where there would be an advantage to these over smaller metal shackles.

[troyboy162]

yeah I think its worth looking in to. As a byproduct I am finding alot of places that sell amsteel by the foot for alot less then winch line. Trick is you have to put your own eyelets and heat guards on (easy). I will go this route when its time to re-string my winch.
http://www.seattlemarine.net/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=6509&idcategory=0#details

[troyboy162]

Some research later and this design is a little stronger then the rope its made from. Just enough to make it reasonably safe to make them out of 5/16th for 8000lbs winches giving them a 15,995LBS breaking point. That puts them at 8 tons to the breaking point when our standard d rings have a working load of 4.5 tons. So any load that will not bend or deform a D-ring should be good with a soft shackle made from 5/16 Amsteel. Not to mention, when these break they wont turn into missiles.

http://l-36.com/soft_shackle_9.php
http://l-36.com/image/soft_shackle_9_ss9_3.jpg

[Robinhood4x4]

Here's some good info from my local FJ cruiser board.

http://www.azfj.org/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=6952

[troyboy162]

interesting info. The 1/2 sure makes for a large shackle. I think thats a bit overkill but then again you wouldn't have to worry about it too much and could beat on it. The cheapest I have found the 5/16 line for was the above link. So its looking like 7-9 dollars, plus a dollar for a sheath, to make one long enough to be useful. I may order some up to try out.

[Good Times]

Troy, great find. Very interesting indeed! Always cool to find new toys especially ones where you can make yourself! :) definitely seeing myself making a few and retiring a lot of my heavy shackles. I'll still keep a few but this will help reduce the gross weight of my junk!

thanks!

[troyboy162]

Yeah thats the best plan. There really is no beating a proper D-ring/shackle and recovery points, but a couple extra of these may prove useful and they could be tucked away easily

[4x4mike]

Especially for attaching to locations other than tow points. Like a frame, slider or axle. I can see these coming in handy for putting vehicles back on their wheels where shackles are not suitable. It can also take the place of chain which is heavy and can be dangerous to use.

[troyboy162]

Welp I have 5/16 amsteel blue coming for two 17" shackles in this style. I have 1" nylon tube at home so I hope that will fit tight. cost is $27 shipped plus a dollar for the nylon tubing. It could be had a few dollars cheaper but my shipping options are limited.
http://l-36.com/image/soft_shackle_9_ss9_3.jpg

[troyboy162]

there it is without the cover. The calculations are only ballpark so you can fiddle with it to get it better. Takes about an hour to complete one properly. second one should take 15 minutes
http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/troyboy162/IMG_19700102_164049_zpsa529f803.jpg

[Good Times]

looks nice! I love it! :)

[troyboy162]

6 feet of 5/16 amsteel blue per unit makes shackles in the 21-22" range. They can be combined together for one large shackle as well. All in all its a success!
http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/troyboy162/IMG_20130222_105033_zpsf17baee5.jpg

[4x4mike]

Very cool. Good work.