Yet there are a few rigger bolt/nut combinations that need to be very securley tightened due to the nature of the forces on them. If they aren’t hard tightened—they will come lose. One example is the fastener that secures the pin to a rigger, or a bracket that locks an insert inside of a rigger tube.

There is a simple trick to get these fasteners tight. It is called a “two-hand squeeze.”

The image below shows how most folks would tighten a bracket. Using two wrenches they would push their two hands together—trying to torque down the fastener. This method works fine if you have the hand strength of the Incredible Hulk. But most of us mere-mortal rower types do not, and that is where the “two-hand squeeze” comes in.

By interlocking the fingers of the both hands, as shown in the next image, and then squeezing the hands together (instead of pushing them together) you can generate significantly more torque and get that fastener tight. Besides generating more torque this method also can save some valuable knuckle skin if a wrench were to slip off of the fastener.

You can generate even more torque by sliding the hands to the ends of the wrenches. This system also works well, very well, when loosening fasteners.

Like the tip? Let me know with a rating below. And if you have others to share pop them in the comment box.

A Simple Trick to Get Fasteners Tight on Your Rigger is a post from: Max Rigging

I really enjoy the camera and have recently bought two more to use with our coaching staff. The following 5 minute video will give an indepth review, along with actually footage taken with the camera.

Below are links to the camcorder, tripod, and the Pelican box I showed in the video. A disclaimer, these are affiliate links, and we receive a small amount for each purchase made through these links. If you are thinking of buying any of these items we would greatly appreciate you purchasing through these links—the funds help support us to continue providing quality information. Thank you.

1. Flip Video Mino Series Camcorder, 60 Minutes (Black)
2. Flip Tripod for Flip Ultra and Mino Camcorders
3. Pelican Micro Dry Case (1030) (Yellow)

Product Review: Flip Mino Camcorder is a post from: Max Rigging

Sometimes the results of those equipment failures can be small, such as a short equipment delay or a restart of a race.

Other times they can be devastating, such as this example. A high-tech, wonderful shell can certainly be stopped dead by a 49 cent fastener.

If you have a chance, check out a rowing coach while her race is coming down the course. It might look like she is holding her breath.

Now you know one reason why.

Does Rowing Equipment Go Wrong At The Big Races? is a post from: Max Rigging

Why?

Because I was never sure that they were tight enough.

Why should that bother me?

Well, two reasons. First, not tight enough and something comes apart—like a rigger at the 500-meter mark. It has happened, and races—some BIG races—have been lost because of it.

Second, too tight and something gets broken (like the boat).

In an attempt to sleep better, I observed coaches to see what they did.

I found that most just guessed. They put a wrench on, turned it a few times, and that was that. That system didn’t help my sleeplessness.

Another method I saw used a “torque wrench”—a tool designed to specifically tell you how much torque (twisting force) is being applied. No help there either, since in 30 years of rowing I’ve only seen one coach use a torque wrench.

So I had to figure out my own way to get some sleep, which I did. It’s something I call the “finger system.”

If you also have a hard time sleeping, try it and see if it helps.

This system is based on two principles. First, the larger the fastener, the more torque it needs. Second, your fingers are pretty good torque wrenches.

Since space is limited here let me tell you how to use this system just for rigger nuts (the smaller nuts used to attach the rigger to the hull).

First, start off by finger-tightening the nut.

Then hold a wrench between your first two fingers and thumb. With wrench on the nut and with fingers straight, push the wrench. When the fingers meet resistance they will bend. When they bend they are now pulling the wrench. When the two fingers can pull no more, the nut is tight.

I discuss in more detail other fasteners, such as the top-nut or top-bolt of an oarlock, and how to make sure that they are tight in my book The Nuts and Bolts Guide to Rigging.

Give this system a try, and let me know if it works for you.

And if you’ve got a different system, and would like to share, let me know that also.

Get the “tight” right is a post from: Max Rigging