What would you do?

[Louis]

I just received an order of 4 T bolt toggles from marinepartdepot.com. They were advertising a sale price of 3.99 each reduced from their list of 12.99. It seemed like a good deal, so I ordered 4. I received them a few days ago and they seemed fine. The only difference from my original (see attached picture – original on left, new one on righ) that I can tell is that the bolt is threaded into the "tee" rather than it being all one piece. As these toggles handle a huge strain, I am a bit uncomfortable using them. (You know what they say about getting what you pay for). What’s your opinion? Would you keep them or return them?

 

[sailingdog]

I would return them... what's to say that they won't loosen up when you're attempting to adjust the turnbuckles under load??

 

[Hermit Scott]

Nope

I wouldn't use them.

 

[higgs]

When a cotter pin or split ring is used, the bolt cannot unthread from the T. however, my concern would be the small amount of thread that is holding that T. If you are not comfortable, why take the chance to save $36?

 

[smitroe]

I agree with everyone, replace them with ones you feel comfortable with. Those aren't parts that you would want to have "let go" on you....smitroe

 

[sailingdog]

Not actually true in this case... since a cotter will only limit the ability of the threaded portion to turn relative to the turnbuckle body, but does nothing to limit it from turning relative to the T-head itself. If the body of the turnbuckle were turned, what's to say the portion in the t-head wouldn't unscrew???

When a cotter pin or split ring is used, the bolt cannot unthread from the T. however, my concern would be the small amount of thread that is holding that T. If you are not comfortable, why take the chance to save $36?

 

[Jim2798]

My experience is that Marinepartsdepot.com has a very accommodating return policy. In this case, I'd use it.

 

[Ctskip]

If it were a hook, holding up my pot holder. I'd use it. Holding something that if it were to come apart could ruin your day, not to mention possibly someones life. I'd return it. For the sake of a couple of dollars, it isn't worth it.

Keep it up,
Ctskip

 

[ITMaster]

If they are stainless

and you don't want to hassel with the return and you have access to a TIG, you could consider welding them to the "T" head so they won't turn. Depends on how hard they are to come by and how expensive the replacements are that are like the one you are attempting to replace.

The one on the left that you have that is bent, is it a solid part that was cut down and then tooled on a lathe, or are there signs of it being a rod that has been welded to the "T" ?

That would be the only way that I would consider use of them. Even then, I may be skeptical about it. That would depend on the welder and how well I knew him and of his work.

 

[Ross]

Re: If they are stainless

Either welding, silver soldering or just staking the threads with a center punch will prevent them from separating but I would prefer forged bolts if they can be found.

 

[Ctskip]

It looks like the barrel on the tee part of the replacement part is of larger diameter. That would be so the shaft can be threaded into the barrel making it a tee. I would send it back in a heart beat and not even question my motive. Pur junk. Could it of been made any cheaper? I doubt it. You get what you pay for. It's not a part to be second guessing.

Keep it up,
Ctskip

 

[caguy]

Judging from the picture of the old T it looks like it has a side load. I would be concerned with the thinner cross section due to the threads.
Frank

 

[higgs]

Sailingdog - very good point. One would have to be VERY careful not to let that happen. I say don't use them.

 

[sailaway78]

Keep them

I would keep them, and put them in the spares box. For that price, pretty cheap to have around. But I wouldn't use them in an application where they are highly loaded by something important to boat or health, unless in a situation where I couldn't get a good new one when needed. You can never ever have too many spare parts.

 

[sailingdog]

Do you really want to keep spares that aren't really trustworthy??? I'd rather send them back and get what I need and a good spare.

 

[BobM]

Have a welder run a bead around the bottom. That should stop any potential unthreading. Some heavy duty epoxy, like PC-7, will probably do the same. I'd still be tempted to keep them only as spares though, as NnE says.

 

[Allan12210]

I probably would not weld this. Depending on the type of stainless steel (probably cheaper, high carbon content) welding could lead to a depletion of the chromium oxide passive layer. This could set the stage for corrosion later and ultimate failure. If the weld is the least bit porous, water could be retained and the corrosion could go undetected. Maybe a certified welder with a TIG setup could do it, but its probably going to cost as much as the part. I would return them and keep looking for a forged part. I also don't like the fact that the threads go so far down. With the obvious side load that the part may be subjected to, the threaded portion (right in the area where your current one is bent) with its vee shaped notch will act as a stress riser. The actual stress in this area will be much higher than the tensile load, probably leading to a propagating crack. Who needs that? Try and rotate the the toggle around somehow so you provide a straight up axial pull. A quick consultation with a rigger may provide some insight here. Best of luck.

Allan
Alchemie SF Bay