u- BOLT --1 1..- 2 FIST GRIP ---l3 L..- Credits Figure 1. PhOlO by Jay O. Glerum. Figure 2. Photo by Jay O. Glerum. RIGHT WAY FOR MAXIMUM ROPE STREtlGTH Figure 3. Wi" Rope User; Manual original drawing supplied by The Crosby Group. Figure 4. Wi" Rope User; Manua!, original drawing supplied by The Crosby Group. WRONG WAY:ClIPS STAGGERED Figure 5. Counes}' of Columbus McKinnon. WRONG WAY: CLIPS REVERSED 4L..- ......J Figure 6. Photo from Stagr Rigging Handbook, counesy ofJay O. Glerum. ----15 1...- SPECIFICATIONS FOR FIST GRIP CLIPS Clip size Min. No. of clips Rope turn back Torque Ib./ft. 3/16 1/4 2 2 4 4 30 30 L..- --l 7 SPECIFICATIONS FOR U-BOLT CLIPS Clip size 1/8 3/16 1/4 L..tings. Thete is a noticeable diffetence in the amount of metal used in the saddle of off-brands. Many contain visible flaws (Figure 2). It is the recommendation of twO of the manufacturers, Crosby and Columbus McKinnon, that any malleable clips currently being used for load bearing applications be replaced with forged clips. Federal Specification FF-C-450 TYPE III CLASS 1 clips are double grip, double saddle clips made of forged steel with integral "L"shaped bolrs, and are commonly called Fist Grip or Mid-Grip clips (Figure 3). This rype of clip is some48 1992 SPRING TD&T Min. No. of clips Rope turn back Torque Ib./ft. 2 2 2 3-1/4" 3-3/4" 4-3/4" 4.5 7.5 times used where it is desirable to minimize damage to the wire rope caused by the U-bolr of a Type I clip. The double saddle does not deform the rope as a "U" bolr does, and these clips cannot be put on backwards. Only forged clips should be usedfor load-bearing applications. Be SIIre that you buy Fist Grip clips made to fideral specification FF-C-450. Full strength of the termination from either type clip can only be achieved from proper application of the clips. The following instructions are based on information taken from The Wire Rope Users Manual published by The American Iron 15 ---I and Steel Institute. The procedures have been modified by the author to more suitably work with stage rigging. HOW TO APPLY U-BOLT CLIPS (Figures 4 and 5) 1. Turn back the specified amount of rope from the thimble. Apply the first clip one base width from the dead end of the wire rope (U-bolt over dead end, live end rests on clip saddle). Tighten nuts evenly as much as possible. (Note: It is almost impossible to tighten 114" clips to recommended 8