Are you working on a task fixing up a safety gate on your barn or the latches on your boat and you’re not sure what product to go with? Are you looking to upgrade your marine hardware?
We offer our snap hooks, bolt snaps, trigger snaps, pulleys and hooks in a variety of materials and finishes and steel is one of the most popular. It can be confusing to differentiate between steel, stainless steel, and nickel plated steel. Here is some basic information to consider when selecting the right steel product for your job!
Are you looking for strength and not worried about corrosion or aesthetic? Steel may be a good option. Modern production of steel began in the late 19th century and was an important part of the Industrial Revolution. Steel was widely used in construction of buildings and railroads due to its strength, cost, and light weight. Today, we see steel being used across a wide range of industries, especially hardware. We offer snap hooks, bolt snaps and hooks manufactured using a durable forged steel. Steel is an alloy consisting of iron and carbon. It has a high tensile strength making it a strong and inexpensive option. However, when exposed to the elements, steel is susceptible to corrosion.
Stainless steel is one of the most common and popular products on the market today. Stainless steel is an alloy made from iron, chromium, and nickel. It’s corrosion resistance combined with it’s aesthetically pleasing look make it a popular choice amongst customers. Our stainless steel snap hooks and trigger snaps are manufactured with a 316 grade stainless with superior corrosion resistance. These snap hooks and trigger snaps can stand up to fresh or salt water exposure without worry of corrosion, making them a great choice for any marine or outdoor application. While stainless steel may be slightly more expensive up front, you will save a lot on the back end as stainless steel pieces are made to last.
The benefits of stainless steel are obvious, but nickel plated steel has many of the same benefits at a lower cost. Nickel plated steel is just that…a steel that has a thin layer of a oxidation resistant nickel applied. The nickel does not decompose, but rather forms a layer of nickel oxide, which prevent further corrosion from occurring. There are several benefits of using nickel plated steel: corrosion resistance, heat resistance, increased strength, resistance to wear and aesthetic. Like stainless steel, nickel plated steel is also a great option for marine and outdoor applications.
Below is a chart for highlighting the pros and cons of these steel products…
Steel
Stainless Steel
Nickel Plated Steel
Composition
Alloy of Iron and Carbon
Alloy of Iron, Chromium and Nickel
High Air Flow
Pros:
-Strong
Durable
-Inexpensive
-Corrosion resistant
-Fire/Heat resistant
-Aesthetically pleasing
-Long term value
-Extreme corrosion resistance
-Wear resistant
-Less expensive than Stainless Steel
Cons:
-Susceptible to corrosion
-Higher up-front cost
-Inadequate plating can lead to corrosion
Application/Industry:
Agricultural, Equine, Dog Leash & Collar, Sports Equipment
Wire ropes, straps, hooks, and other rigging hardware can be used in conjunction with cranes or other lifting equipment to move loads that are too heavy to lift manually. A wide range of industries and applications use rigging every day to facilitate the movement of cargo and materials. Rigging may be largely taken for granted, but proper selection can make the difference between a safe, successful move and one that causes property damage or injury.
Strict safety guidelines must be followed to avoid accidents. There are several steps users should take to make sure everything is used correctly. These include:
Familiarizing all users and stakeholders with information contained within equipment user manuals.
Proper training on all rigging and lifting equipment for all operators.
Conducting regular preventative maintenance on all rigging and lifting equipment.
Adhering to all safety and operational standards set forth by OSHA and other regulating bodies.
The Different Types of Rigging Hardware
Rigging selection can be a complex process, with many different forms of hardware made specifically for certain weights, situations, and environments. Common forms of rigging hardware include:
Hooks
Used to lift heavy objects and eliminate slippage of materials, rigging hooks come in various forms, each one better suited for different weights and material types. The most common styles include:
Hoist hooks
Lifting hooks
Rigging hooks
Sling hooks
Eye Bolts
Eye bolts typically serve as an anchor point for cables or wires and are chosen depending on the angle of the load. Eye bolt types include:
Shoulder eye bolts
Straight eye bolts
Screw eye bolts
U-bolts
Lag eye screws
Steel Nuts
Steel nuts work in concert with eye bolts on many rigging applications. Most steel nuts are made from type 316 stainless steel. Nut types include:
Hex nuts
Ball ends
Dome nuts
Wing nuts
Lifting eye nuts
Wire Ropes
Wire ropes are used in rigging, mooring, and lifting operations. They are typically made with stainless steel and come in multiple sizes and strengths. Wire ropes can be used in conjunction with clips, thimbles, and sleeves.
Pulleys & Blocks
Blocks are a requirement for lifting very heavy loads. They do so by lessening the force needed to move weightier objects. The most common type of block is the snatch block, but swivel blocks and square blocks are also viable options for specific applications. Blocks are easy to deploy, available in multiple sizes, and can accommodate up to 30 tons in weight. Pulleys, available in single and double varieties, tend to be combined with rigging ropes in order to hook onto objects securely. Pulley selection is dependent on rope, frame, and sheave size.
Choosing the Best Hardware for Rigging and Lifting
With so many options, it’s important to differentiate between each piece of equipment and figure out what is best for each unique lifting situation. The correct choice of rigging hardware depends on many variables, such as the different weather conditions they must withstand, the materials they are interacting with, and the industry that is using them.
Rigging is a versatile discipline. Divers use rigging hardware such as bolt snaps and D-rings to attach valuable items to fins, masks, regulators, ventilators, and tanks. Snap hooks, anchor chains, and trailer safety chains do a similar job as sailboat rigging hardware. Different harnesses may be used as saddle rigging hardware for horses, depending on the work load (breast collar harnesses for light work, breast strap harnesses for more strenuous activity). Rigging hardware is also useful for other recreational activities. Links, snaps, eye bolts, and D-rings are all useful ways to stay safe while rock climbing or water skiing.
Rigging hardware is an invaluable source of safety in many industrial, commercial, and recreational applications. Henssgen Hardware offers a wide range of solutions for your rigging needs. If you have any questions or want to request a quote, please contact us here.
Marine hardware allows commercial, industrial, and recreational operators to customize their vessels, increase safety, and improve efficiency. It is therefore important to have a thorough understanding of the different types of marine hardware, their uses, and materials, so you can be sure you have the best hardware for your particular needs. There is a variety of boat rigging hardware that enhances the performance of a diverse range of watercraft.
Marine and Boat Hardware
Buying rigging made from corrosion-resistant materials ensures marine hardware holds up in harsh environments. Knowing what to look for helps watercraft owners find the right marine hardware for their specific needs.
It can be confusing to decrypt all of these acronyms like SWL, NWL, WLL and MBS. But Henssgen Hardware is here for you, to educate you on terms like Working Load Limits and everything you need to know about our products.
Safe Working Load, SWL, (or Normal Working Load, NWL) is an outdated term that was used to indicate the amount of weight that a lifting device could safely carry without fear of breaking. It is a calculation of the Minimum Breaking Strength, or MBS.
The more up-to-date phrase for the term SWL is Working Load Limit, or WLL.
The specific definition for the Working Load Limit (WLL) is: The maximum mass or force which a product is authorized to support in general service when the pull is applied in-line, unless noted otherwise, with respect to the centerline of the product.
The manufacturer designates the right or approximate WLL value for each lifting device or use, and considers many factors including the applied load, the length of each rope or line, and many other factors.
It is critically important to heed this number, which is set forth by the manufacturer, when lifting with any device, including a line, rope or crane. The number is calculated by dividing the Minimum Breaking Strength (MBS) by a safety factor that is assigned to that type and use of equipment, generally ranging from four to six unless a failure of the equipment could pose a risk to life. In the event that the failure of the equipment could pose a risk to life, the safety factor is ten.
For example, if a hook has a Minimum Breaking Strength (MBS) of 1,000 pounds and a safety factor of five, then the Working Load Limit (WLL) would be 200 pounds.
The history to the change in terminology
There were legal implications to the term Safe Working Load, so USA standards phased this term out more than twenty years ago, followed by European and ISO standards just a few years afterward. This change took place because of the legal significance placed on the word ‘safe’.
The Americans and Europeans then developed a more appropriate term and definition for the maximum load capacity of a particular lifting device, agreeing to use the term Working Load Limit (WLL) for equipment such as hooks, slings and shackles.
In the cases of cranes, hoists and winches, the term Safe Working Load (SWL) was replaced by Manufacturer’s Rated Capacity (MRC), which is the maximum gross load which may be applied to the crane or hoist or lifting attachment while in a particular working configuration and under a particular condition of used.
Synonyms
SWL — Safe Working Load
NWL — Normal Working Load
WLL — Working Load Limit (Current term used)
Other Acronyms
MBS — Minimum Breaking Strength
MRC — Manufacturers Rated Capacity
Henssgen Hardware is committed to providing top quality products as well as all of the information you need in order to ensure the utmost in safety. Please contact us with any safety questions you may have and we’ll be happy to discuss your needs and which products are the best fit for you.
Summertime is water sport season. Boating, jet-skiing, tubing, water-skiing and parasailing are just some of the many ways water and sun-loving fans enjoy sea, wind and surf.
In the height of the summer season, seaside and lakeside resorts handle crowds of summertime thrill-seekers, looking to get harnessed up and hitched to a slender nylon rope attached to a floating dock or a fast-moving boat, as they are transported aloft for a scenic parasail ride overlooking the vista below.
Others, who want to stay closer to mother earth, but who have a “need for speed,” may opt for wake-boarding, wind-surfing, water-skiing or tubing.
It goes without saying that those harnesses and slender nylon lines that keep skiers, boarders, parasailers and others tethered to their boat or dock are crucial to the safety of sport. Unfortunately, we’ve all heard of connections that break, boat drivers who don’t pay attention and lose their riders, or equipment malfunction that results in injury or even death.
That is why it is important to make sure your equipment is in good working order and “up to snuff.”
Skis, wake-boards and tubes
In addition to making sure that the boots and hardware on your skis or boards fits well and are in good working condition, it is important to check the nylon lines that connect your riders to your boat. Make sure there are no knots, kinks or frayed sections. If you’re pulling your precious cargo behind your boat with a tube, make sure that the dacron/nylon blend straps are in good condition and the safety Dee-rings and snap hooks are not rusted, bent or otherwise damaged. Those rings and hooks are all that’s holding your tube, board or skiers to your boat.
Well, almost.
The cleat on the aft deck of your boat is really the first line of defense against aquatic mishap and mayhem. All cleats should be checked for loose screws connecting the cleat to the body of the boat. This is particularly important if you have an older boat. It’s far better to err on the side of caution. Have a screw driver handy and double check every cleat.
If you happen to be towing a jet ski around on the water, it is even more important to examine all quick connecting snap hooks, D-rings and O-rings before heading offshore. You don’t want to lose your jet ski in a rough surf now, do you?
Parasails
While parasailing is an activity that involves relying on commercial providers, that doesn’t mean you can’t check in advance to make sure your parasail company has a good record and is up to date on their licensing.
Even on the day of your parasailing trip, don’t be shy about checking the body harnesses, D-rings and snaps to make sure they are in good condition.
Henssgen Hardware is a leading distributor of marine and sporting goods hardware. For more information, please visit our website. And, while you’re there, check out our catalog to see our complete line of products.
When it comes to summertime backyard entertainment for kids, there are so many more options than there were even ten years ago. The standard swing set and slide have taken a back seat to more creative equipment and backyard fun is only limited by your imagination. There are a ton of online resources for finding – or building – your kid’s favorite backyard jungle gym, swing, ropes course or tree house.
Some of the coolest designs are hanging swings shaped like boats, motorcycles, airplanes, skateboards – the list goes on. Why not toss out that old tire swing and replace it with a space rocket?
Of course, the most important common denominator with all these creative playthings is securing them with sturdy, rust-resistant hooks that are carefully anchored into place.
If you are planning to hang a swing from a tree, be sure – first of all – that the tree can handle the combined weight of your child and the swing itself. The last thing we want is our little space explorer to plummet to earth in his space capsule.
Heavy duty swing hangers, firmly embedded in a beam, will ensure that your child is safe as she soars along on her imagination.
If you already have a swing set or a jungle gym, try switching out the swings for rings and watch your child test the limits of his strength and agility. Stainless steel S hooks or snap hooks are the best choice because they will not rust and they can handle weight and motion. For kids who really put their equipment through a workout, you may want to choose heavy-duty cast-iron swing hangers.
Other choices are brass or die-cast zinc. But, while they are rust-resistant, that does not mean that they won’t eventually rust. You don’t want to be rifling through your medical files to see when your child had her last tetanus shot as she accidentally cuts or scrapes herself on a rusty old hook or snap.
And don’t forget – as your kids grow, so does their weight and the need for sturdy hooks, bolts and snaps that will accommodate their rapidly growing young bodies. You should check each piece of equipment at the beginning of the season, making sure it is rated for your child’s weight and level of physical activity.
If your swing has seen several seasons of sun and fun, be sure to test the chain links for signs of rust or wear. Same is true for the S-hooks that make it so easy to interchange your jungle gym equipment. Always err on the side of doting parental caution. Visually and manually inspect all outdoor equipment before junior takes his swing on a ride around the moon and back.
If you have a ropes course, it’s also important to check for fraying or looseness. If the rope looks like it’s starting to pull out of its hardware, best to invest in some new equipment.
Your local hardware store should carry most of the items you will need to ensure that your backyard remains a safe and fun place for your kids this summer.
Henssgen Hardware, located in Glens Falls NY, has been supplying snap hooks and other rigging hardware for 39 years. Visit their website and their online catalog for more information.
If you own a sporting goods store, a marina or even a gas station/convenient store on one of the several beautiful lakes in the area, it’s only a matter of time before warm weather finally arrives and people will be putting their sailboats, power boats, kayaks and canoes on the water. Maybe those boat owners failed to read our earlier blog post about being prepared and doing a thorough checklist of their boats in advance of the yearly launch.
That’s why you need to be prepared for any requests your summertime sailors will throw at you. When it comes to marine hardware, it’s important to have in stock an ample supply of boat snap hooks, rope cleats, double end hooks, rings, and eye snaps with fixed, open and swivel ends.
There are so many things that require repair, maintenance or updating on a boat, whether it is a kayak or a cruiser. For your sailboat and power boat customers, snap hooks are important to keep on hand for anchor chains or trailer safety chains. They may be rusted, bent, broken – which would be unfortunate when trying to hook up to a mooring ball or getting a boat safely secured on the trailer.
Owners of power boats that pull water skiers, tubes and other flotation devices may need to replace their safety hooks, rings and snap hooks. The last thing they want to do is lose their precious cargo in the middle of a busy lake. When your customers pull into your marina to gas up and buy provisions, be sure to ask them if they’ve checked their skiing and tubing lines for signs of wear or broken connections.
Sometimes, summertime boaters are more focused on having an ample supply of ice, fishing line, and fresh brews on hand. You can grow your base of loyal customers by making sure to let them know you are their “go to” destination for a complete line of marine hardware. Before they head out for a day on the water, be sure to ask them if they need their anchors, rope cleats, safety snaps and snap hooks replaced.
Kayaks, canoes and rowboats also need to be secured safely to docks and mooring balls. And, no matter what type or size boat your customers have, they need to check their life jackets and bumpers to be sure that the rings, snaps and hooks are in good working order.
If your store is located near a salt water body, Henssgen Hardware offers a complete line of products that are salt-and corrosion resistant. Our complete line of marine hardware includes brass, steel, stainless steel and die cast zinc. A well-stocked marina or sporting goods store should keep an ample inventory on hand in all these materials.
For marinas that service a large number of sailboats, it’s also a good idea to have a good assortment of rope hardware in stock. Rope cleats, thimbles and clamps in stock can mean the difference between a great day of sailing or a trip cut short because a sailor couldn’t find a marina with the equipment they needed to be “seaworthy.”
Henssgen Hardware has the hardware you need for a safe summer out on the boat. Download our catalog for all our product offerings.
Believe it or not, summer is just around the corner. That means hardware store owners should be stocking up on the right S-hooks, rings, quick-release snap hooks, swivel hooks and chain links for hanging hammocks, kiddie swings, porch swings and planters.
Before you can say Memorial Day, customers will be coming into your store looking to replace or repair broken or rusted chains, S-hooks and snap hooks for their toddlers’ swing sets. They’ll also be eager to get that hammock unrolled and suspended between two trees in the shade of the backyard. And don’t forget about the chains and hooks for hanging those cascading petunia planters.
How to hang your hammock
Find two sturdy oak, beech or maple trees that can support your weight and be the right distance apart; too close together and you’ll be scraping the ground; too far apart and you’ll put too much strain on the hammock and cause tears.
Most hammocks come with straps that wrap around the tree. The straps are made of sturdy nylon and have a Dee-ring that is used to connect the S-hook or the snap hook to the ring on each end of the hammock.
Before you get that hammock hung up and ready to hop into, be sure the rings aren’t bent or damaged. It’s also a good idea to check the straps for wear and tear. Also make sure that the chain links on the ends of your hammock aren’t bent or broken.
Getting the backyard swing set ready for your kids
Before you hang those swings back on the jungle gym equipment do a careful inspection of the parts. Make sure there are no rusty screws or chain links that can scrape and hurt your kids. As children get bigger, they put more strain on the hooks that keep the swing securely connected to the overhead bar. Make sure to replace any chain, links or S-hooks that look as if they’ve been bent or have become misshapen from wear.
Have the right hardware on hand for DIYs
The local neighborhood handy men and women, who like to make their own repairs, will be happy to see that your inventory includes the widest and best variety of hardware in an assortment of rust-resistant and sturdy metals, sure to keep that hammock properly suspended between your trees, or hold that hanging hammock chair suspended from the porch ceiling.
A local resource right at your fingertips
The benefit of having a major wholesaler of hardware like Henssgen right in your backyard is that you can still place your order and have it in your store’s inventory in time for the busy upcoming season.
Henssgen purchases only the highest quality hardware for backyards and boat docks, dairy farmers and trainers, and backyard volleyball nets and batting cage nets. So, whether you are a hardware store owner looking for the best supplier of hardware for a range of industries and uses; or, if you’re a homeowner who likes nothing better than to lounge in your hammock after a busy day of yardwork,
Henssgen Hardware has the hooks, snaps, and rings you need to keep your backyard safe, secure and ready for summer. Download our catalog for all our product offerings.
It may come as a surprise, but there’s a small, yet mighty important little piece of hardware that’s instrumental in keeping us all in line, making us look good, and working hard alongside us in our businesses, on our farms or at the kennel. The crazy thing is, you can find it in our catalog in a variety of metals, finishes and sizes. What are we talking about?
This seemingly insignificant and innocuous piece of hardware is not only versatile – as it turns out, it is an integral component of many industries, from banking to boating; entertainment to equestrian; even from farming to fashion. The list is endless.
And we mean that literally. Whether you’re at the bank, the movie theater, waiting in line to climb on a ride at Disney World – even the red carpet in Hollywood or Cannes.
Have you ever shown up for a fancy event, and the attendant quickly unhooks the rope to allow an impatient VIP to move to the front of the line? Those velvet ropes that keep us in an orderly line are attached to their metal bases by snap hooks and you can find them whether you’re waiting to see the newest action movie or do some star-gazing at a celebrity event in Hollywood.
Think about the last time you waited in line with your eager kids to climb on a ride at Disney World. Those snap hooks kept the kids right where they needed to be and safe from wandering off the line into who knows what!
A snap hook is easy to release with just the flick of the wrist and thumb. It comes in a variety of metals and finishes, so it can go from a utilitarian stainless to a polished brass. The snap hook is just like that woman you know who looks just as great in jeans and a tee shirt as she does in a little black dress! Versatile, flexible and adaptable.
And snap hooks can be either fixed or swivel – so important when you’re in a tough space with your horse, for example, and need to unhook him quickly from his harness. Snap hooks can also be spotted on runways or in designer boutiques, adorning the softest suede handbag you’ve ever seen, or keeping that cool leather and gold trimmed belt resting just right on your waist.
So, before you think that snap hooks are just a small, insignificant piece of hardware – think again. Snap hooks can keep us in line, make our livestock and pets safe and secure, add flair to our fashion, and so much more.
Henssgen Hardware, located in Glens Falls NY, has been supplying snap hooks and other rigging hardware for 39 years. Visit their website and their online catalog for more information.
Remember how much fun it was pulling out all those holiday decorations? Stringing up all those lights? Hanging the huge wreath on the front door? What about that life-sized sleigh and reindeer that you just had to put on the front lawn?
It doesn’t seem possible, but all the stuff that we dragged out about a month ago now has to be taken down and put away again for another year.
Somehow, it always seems harder to store all of our accumulated treasures than it did to unpack them. Especially when floor space is at a premium. But, it’s a new year and a good time to make a resolution and use the right kind of hardware that will help make your storage a snap.
Space-saving tips
To keep your wreaths and door decorations looking fresh and full-looking, try hanging them from hooks on the wall of your basement or storage area, instead of packing them in those bulky storage bins. First, put them in a clear trash bag and hang them from the hook. It saves floor space and keeps your decorations looking new.
It’s also good to get some of those bigger items, like that Santa sleigh and the eight not so tiny reindeer, off the floor. Take advantage of overhead space in your attic or garage eaves by using a pulley and some sturdy rope hardware. Swivel-eye pulleys make it so easy to lift and lower those heavier items for storage.
Has the box that your 20-year old fake Christmas tree came in finally fallen apart? No worries! After taking your tree apart, store it in sections in heavy duty trash bags and hang the bags on hooks.
And, don’t forget the lights. Once you’ve made sure that they’re all still working and you’re not putting away strings of lights that won’t work next year, use a power cord holder and – you got it – hang them from a hook!
Henssgen Hardware has been a supplier of quality rigging hardware, snap hooks and many other items for Farm, Home and Sport since 1978. We are family-owned and operated business, and we pride ourselves in offering the highest quality hardware, the best customer service and competitive pricing. Call us at 1-800-833-9598, contact us online and check out our amazing selection of industrial rigging hardware in our product catalog.
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