[Public-list] Boy sure lucky that I broke *that*

[Gordon Laco]

Yikes - what a story!

A not usual consequence of using WD-40 is locking of the threads, or
galling, as it is called in the business.  WD-40 lubricates when it is first
applied, but actually rinses off lubrication, so once it evaporates there is
just metal on metal.  I bet your B Stay turnbuckle galled, then the threads
broke under a combination of the slightly increased loading but mostly from
the torque being applied against the galled threads.  If you have Stainless
on stainless turnbuckles grease is much better - best not to use WD-40
unless you are using it to free up something you are removing.

The other turnbuckles that have bronze bodies on stainless studs are
considered superior because the stainless is harder than the bronze, and
never galls.

Gord #426 Surprise





> Hi A-30 people,
> 
> In the words of an old friend of mine, "You can't lose 'em all."... I
> was about to embark on one of the last sails of the season yesterday
> (Sunday) into15 MPH whitecaps, I decided that I'd tension some of the
> standing rigging slightly, I had noticed that it was a little bit soft
> before the last few sails, but in mild conditions I wasn't concerned. So
> I tensioned the backstay a bit, then the forestay, then the backstay a
> bit more (not excessively tight by any means) and BANG -- the backstay
> turnbuckle failed, the lower threaded portion stripped the threads right
> out of the turbuckle body. Luckily, with no sails up, and still in the
> dock, the aft lowers held up the mast, and I quickly jury-rigged a line
> to the backstay... Could have been serious under sail, for sure.
> 
> I had been in the habit of spraying WD-40 on the turnbuckle threads, but
> I hadn't been unscrewing the ends far enought to expose the entire area
> where it sits when set for normal tension. I certainly plan to pay a lot
> more attention to the turnbuckles in the fututure. These are old,
> "Merriman style" turnbuckles (no integral hinge), with a Silicon Bronze
> body, possibly original, although the revious owner replaced all the
> standing rigging about 25 years ago, and it all looks to be in excellent
> shape, and I've replaced some pieces since. The boat has only ever been
> in fresh water.
> 
> Another item for rigging inspection and preventive maintenance at the
> beginning of a season... If you think about it (which I hadn't in the
> almost 20 years I've had this boat), those 4 pairs of 1/2-inch-20
> threads about 3/4-inch long, in Silicon Bronze, are all that is holding
> the mast up when it's under load...
> 
> Only 8 lives left now...
> 
> --Dan Sternglass
> dans at stmktg.com
> Watcher of the Skiles, #201, Cayuga Lake, Ithaca, NY
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Public-list mailing list
> Public-list at alberg30.org
> http://alberg30.org/mailman/listinfo/public-list


 1098187349.0