masterrigger1

The concept is old. My tool is somewhat different though. I saw Allen's at the 1st San Diego PIA symposium when he was showing it there. Nice tool but I thought it needed some refinement for my purposes though. Master Torq differences: * Can be made left or right handed in about two minutes or less *The torque shaft is mounted forward about 1 1/4 inches to help with the balance and Temp Pin insertion. * Is basically a one piece design meaning that you do not have a separate ratchet which IMHO is cumbersome at best. *Lighter and center balanced *The 4 inch lever or crank is somewhat a limiting factor with regards to applied torque. It is not the typical 9-10 inch handle that you usually see on a 3/8" ratchet. *The base or "footprint" is smaller width wise than a standard knee plate, but not as small as Allen's. I think too small of a footprint is more likely to damage the PC spring and/or the PC top plate. *Simple construction which generally equals a cheaper price. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Yep, I saw a couple around before using a similar design. It looks like you have a 12" scale on the side which gives me so reference for size. What is your "working" range or stroke on it? I am guessing about 7-8" if you take into consideration for the loop on your pull up cord, etc... I had thought about a similar design about two years ago, but wanted the ability not to have to tie loops in the pullup and also be able to compress a long Pilot chute start to finish in one fail swoop. That is why I stuck with this design. The rotary take up is pretty much unlimited in regard of the amount of travel or stroke. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Yep, There are a few different ones out there. Ones with electric drive motors even. Did you design that one? MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

i figured it out... The Chandler right? MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Ken, You coming to the PIA symposium in Daytona this March? I will be happy to show you everything it can do. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

I thought I would show you guys a new tool I have come up with. It is called the Master Torq.It is great for winding down Pilot chutes into the container and also just holding tension on the pack job while answering the phone or waiting for the Pack job to settle a little before inserting the ripcord pin. It also will pre-stretch closing loops which was another rigger's idea BTW. The though slot for the pull up cord is barely seen in the last picture. It is just to the left of the shaft collar. [inline mastertorq1.jpg] [inline mastertorq2.jpg] I will have a couple of them at DeWolf's riggers course starting this Friday. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Well, you know that I am headed up there this week......We have the rigger's course starting Friday. Mechanicsburg is just West, across the river from Elizabethtown. What are you scrounging up this time. Big, little...? MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Chuck, Yep... you are out of adjustment with the inner foot lift. All walking foot type machines have an adjustment to change the ratio of the inner foot to the outer foot movement. Basically what you want is even lift of both the inner and outer feet. To do this is somewhat simple, but you have to play with it a bit to figure it out for each type machine. With a standard walking foot machine like a 144W, you loosen the screw on the actuating arm and then turn the shaft to adjust more or less lift of the inner foot accordingly. See attached: [inline 144W.jpg] On a 7-33, you have to move the lifting frame to do this in most cases. But first set all of the adjustments in their mid span locations. Then loosen the screws at both points on the frame and set accordingly. [inline 7331.jpg] If you look at the thread tension in the photo, the two two points are above and below the tension device. Also use a pencil to mark your locations BEFORE moving anything. Just in case if you know what I mean. Let me know if you need further help. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Maybe. I think all of the new machines EXCEPT Juki are basically junk for the most part. Try Keystone Sewing.http://www.keysew.com/ MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Terry, My experience is that most all of the machines today are coming from one factory. They will placard whatever name you want on the side of the machine when you order it. On EBay you will find a product line of machines with the label "SewLine". That company is just up the road from me and the owner told me the above was true also. I had one for less than two weeks. Found it on EBay and resold it to a manufacturer that made safety harnesses in Ohio. I did not give $60 grand for it though... Also, I think I saw a photo of of one in either UPT or SunPath but can not remember for sure. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

It is all tied together at the feed eccentric. Here are some photos: [inline Singer7-33Head.jpg] [inline Singer7-33Reverse.jpg] [inline Singer7classReverse.jpg] MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Terry, It looks to be powder coated. There are numerous people out there that do powder coating, just look on Craigslist for them. Well,this one does not have reverse. It also is a 7-31 that only needs a 7-33 balance wheel to make it like a 7-33 which I highly recommend. A 7-31 has the clutch on the head, not the motor BTW... A 7 class that has been converted to have reverse will have the front stitch adjustment lever knob/screw removed. It also will have a dual adjustment setscrew setup on the back cover and a arm coming out of that same cover. That same arm will have a chain that goes to a foot pedal. The method to do this is pretty simplistic. They are making the feed eccentric shaft go out of timing by 180 degrees by using a larger/longer stroke or movement of the eccentric mechanism. Also,a 17W15 or a 31-15 can be done the same way. This something that I have done numerous times in the past. DeWolf's old machine was converted, so I guess you just never noticed it. He has since replaced that machine with a Consew 733R5. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Here are some things that you probably need to know: Rotating Hook: *Is made for faster sewing *Adds more twist to the Upper thread than a oscillating hook machine.This means that "Z" twist/bonded thread is highly recommended * Requires a positioning finger for the bobbin case that limits the size of thread that may be used in that machine and also can induce thread wear at higher speeds *Speed/RPM can affect thread tensions more with the use of a rotary hook. Oscillating Hook: *Does not use a positioning finger that is used on a rotating hook.So generally speaking,a larger thread can be used when compared to the rotating hook machine. *Less top thread wear during heavy sewing because the thread has less contact with the hook than a rotating model *Can sew with non-bonded thread or poorly bonded thread with more ease than a rotating machine. *Thread tensions are easier to set and generally have a broader range than a rotating machine. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

I would think that it would. Just make sure to adjust the presser bar spring enough to insure that the presser foot does not rise when the needle is extracting the webbing. If the presser foot rises even a little bit during extraction of the webbing, the loop for the hook will not be made correctly and the thread can be cut or just missed causing a skipped stitch. Using thread lube helps prevent this also. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

It will sew 5 cord if it has the standard hook. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Hi Jerry, I saying it is not really an argument, but rather a misunderstanding by some and not wanting to come to terms with the rule by others. The Preamble is pretty self explanatory and the rule is the rule so there is no argument on my side of things. If you care to investigate this, I think you will find the words "No harm to the general public" in most of the FAA definitions. That would be measurable and quantifiable would it not? Of course that differs from my perspective or definition which is not going to the hospital or morgue after using said item. I would venture to say that these are also measurable, quantifiable, and hopefully repeatable. Hopefully not a jury..... Seriously though, I dislike people that circumvent established rules for the most part. IMHO, this sport does not need liberals or liberal-like rigging practices. Concise and verbatim rigging practices are what we need to follow. IMO, PIA needs to worry more about the shotty equipment some of their members are putting into the field that are causing fatalities rather than politics. ...But then again politics is exactly why they are not doing anything about these things.... MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Gary, No. The Order is a National Policy (read guidelines here) that the FAA is using to allow Non-TSO'd products use instead of TSO'd and PMA parts and appliances. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Agreed; as long as it performs safely and was the work was done by an appropriately rated rigger or one under the direct supervision of same. Probably so since you did not manufacture it. But if you modified it, you need to be or be supervised by a Master Rigger while doing it. It does state that you need to be a rigger to work on a parachute and at the same time have the appropriate rating for the type work being done. First, let Mark speak for himself. Also, if you are a master rigger then absolutely that statement would be true. It would be false otherwise. There is some mention (I am looking for the document...) that a manufacturer has to have a prototype plus 3 working,proven models in order to be considered a manufacturer. That depends if you are talking TSO'd or Non-TSO'd. TSO'd equipent has regulations in place. Non-TSO'd equipment has a Order, but an Order is not a regulation just like an AC is not regulation. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Mark, Can you enlighten us to exactly where you got that information? I, on the hand hand, can show you that only a rigger can work on parachute equipment (main and reserve) and a non- rated owner can only do simply assembly necessary for transporting the equipment to and fro. See attached. Also, here is a previous thread.http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=3876375;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25; It really concerns me that you are one of our newer DPRE's and this information has been given to you several times before. With that said,you are still preaching/teaching the opposite of the regulations that you are supposed to be testing an applicant with....... MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Rolsky, The cost is $245 for the line set and $100 for the install if needed. Line material choices are: Technora or Twaron (recommended) Spectra Dacron Thanks, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

You are a little behind. It has already been tried. It actually is as bad as Spectra (Polyethylene) which is the worst line medium out there today. The new stuff to look for is Twaron (Para-Aramid). One click better than Technora (Also a Para-Aramid...AKA "HMA") for parachute applications. We are leading the way again, by being the first company to introduce Twaron line sets to the field with good results. Also, Spectra shrinks from use. The word "creep" is used in the braid world as a term for elongation due to loading the material from it's static state. While it will get longer(elongate) when loaded, it gets shorter every time that you use it. Probably the most misused, incorrect term for Spectra is that some people call it a "no stretch line", when in fact it does stretch when loaded. It also is hygroscopic and will absorb water to some degree. Some info for the masses: Dacron - Polyester Spectra - Polyethylene Technora - Para-Aramid (which is in the HMA-High Modulus Aramid family) Twaron - Para-Aramid (which is in the HMA-High Modulus Aramid family) Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Al, Use this. "A" Baseline= 141 5/8" A-B= 3" B-C= 7 1/2" C-D= 10 3/4" Full Flight= 8 3/4" ABOVE D Line Brake Setting= 2" BELOW C Line Use the #3 UST to determine brake setting UST's are numbered from stab to center with #1 being at the stab- #4 is toward the center. UST's 1,2,and 3 are the same length. #4 is shorter than the others by 5 7/16" Measurements are from factory drawings. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Mark, Can you tell us were you found that in writing? ...and this one too. While I agree that the user should be responsible; the responsibility is still on the pilot before letting he or she out. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

1.Pull the top thread out of the needle and lay aside. 2.Remove bobbin case and lay aside. 3.Check hook area for thread between the race/hook. 4.Turn head over to the left (hinge) and look for thread between the knives under the throat plate 5.Run machine through a few cycles without any thread or the bobbin case. This should clear the problem. If not, the knives have moved out of place. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

I think the answer to why you have not received any more reports is the fact that nothing but a quick look-over of the gear was done on the first three. After that, the manufacturers simply pointed fingers at one another. Maybe the committee simply has the wrong people on it? We (people in the field, actively jumping) have identified pilot chute in tow problems with one manufacturer (with video BTW...several times). So what does the committee need to move on this to make that problem go away? I guess I am one of MANY people...... I know that if you follow the H/C manufacturers recommended reserve canopy sizes, 99% of them are too tight on the high end of the scale. I know what reserve canopies do not meet TSO 23b initial testing requirements, thus making them incompatible with the H/C TSO and basically useless with AAD that has a 700 ft trigger. All this reminds me of the guy with the high water bill all of a sudden one month. The plummer comes out and says he can't find a major leak anywhere and doesn't do anything. The next plummer comes out and finds 6 or 7 little leaks and repairs all of them one at a time. The owners problem went away. The moral of the story is fix all of the "little" problems and maybe you do not have a Major one! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com