RE: Line Connectors

I have a couple hard point handles and need to make some line clips of different lengths to be able to adjust neutral.
What size music wire is the one to use?
In the old posts I could find, a wire size was not given.
Thanks
Bill <><

What I need is suggestions as to the best diameter for combined strength and ease of bending.
Bill <><

Bill,

I normally use .047 piano wire for home-brew line clips. They are strong enough one can fly without closing them, although this is advised of course.

In switching to "Ted Handles" I made a bunch of clips for the handle end only and from .055 wire. No good reason for doing so...

Dennis Choate called yesterday and asked the same question. I think I pretty much told him the same thing. You are probably saying, "Why did Dennis call you? You don't know anything. He should have called me." Well, he intended to, but my phone number was adjacent to yours in the PAMPA directory, and the columns are pretty wide, so it was easy to get the wrong number. He asked to talk to you, but I gave him my opinion anyhow.

I also receive a lot of unsolicited email that I think must be for you.

>Bill,
>
>I normally use .047 piano wire for home-brew line clips.
>They are strong enough one can fly without closing them,
>although this is advised of course.

Dan,

A picture would be very helpful here.

Thanks,

Not Dan's, but I think these are similar.

While rather decent connectors, I most certainly appreciate Howard's regard for detail in noting these are not line connectors from my secret stash.

I can cut brass tubing much neater than shown. And what's the deal with those sharp, as-cut ends on some of the wire?

Still, not referring Mr. Choate to my extension showed poor form. It is believed I have better Whitely Stories than do you, and these would have been compared with those from Dennis, retold at all 2004 NW contests.

Howard,

Joshua went to Alaska for a couple weeks of fun in raging around on snow machines. Very *serious* snow machines. I'll get my son's e-mail address to you upon his return.

Howard, I thought you were into gold plating brass tubing.

Thanks, Dan!
Just the info I need.
Bill

>Bill,
>
>I normally use .047 piano wire for home-brew line clips.
>They are strong enough one can fly without closing them,
>although this is advised of course.
Dan,

A picture would be very helpful here.

Thanks,

Andy

Andy,

I am trying not to smirk. I am also trying to not write something truly nasty. Excuse me, I cannot do both at the same time.

No pictures will be forthcoming. I have seen Mr. Varley's troubles, his most unfortunate dependence upon Steve-O-Bat Helmick, so I just cannot get involved.

My home-brew line clips look exactly like SIG's "medium" clips. They are just bent up from .047 piano wire. Even have SIG sliders to close 'em up. Iskandar will probably snort again--he did last time I mentioned this--but some of SIG's stuff is available to certain shops/manufacturers in bulk. I went through a couple 100-packs of line clips, removing sliders, tossing the (cut) clips themselves on the floor.

The .055 line clips mentioned above are intended *only* for use at the pilot's end of things, in my case in conjunction with "Ted Handles." Thus they are longer than normal clips, plus each end overlaps the other, being held closed with silicone fuel line. Note: There are no good reasons for any of this, but as these clips were for a specific application they were made differently than the rest.

I used to bend clips up with snipe-nose pliers. X-acto sells this tool.

Better is a real simple jig which is no more than two 3/16" steel pins set into an aluminum plate and spaced just far enough apart that the wire can be inserted prior to making each bend. Insert fresh piece of wire, bend a suitable amount, check your work. When the radius is to your satisfaction, mark jig so you'll know how far to go with each bend.

It's quick and easy. But the first time you complete a line clip, only then to realize you have not slipped on a slider prior to making the final bends, do think well of me.

As the idea here is to develop an assortment of line clips with which to adjust neutral with that new hard-point handle, all the clips should be of different lengths. I have found the easiest way to do this is to make every effort at having the line clips all come out exactly the same.

Don't know why I'd snort, I think it's a great idea, and I said so the last time. When I run out of McMahon Snaps, I'll probably start making them, too. Though I'd probably just make them all the same length.

I know the SIG connectors are available in bulk - I have several hundred of them in a bag somewhere. It's amazing what you find in fishing tackle catalogs - especially ones that cater to people who make their own lures.

>Don't know why I'd snort, I think it's a great idea, and I
>said so the last time.(Major snip.)

Iskandar,

My recollection is different, but no problem.

Besides, you know how easily I am offended, how something like this can cause me to withdraw for weeks at a time.

Just not this time...

Hey Dan,
Thanks, again, for the info. I need them for some "Ted's Handles" I got. Lot different feel than the cable handles I am getting accustomed to the hard point, a feel which I think I really like.
Bill <><