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.
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.
Even though it’s too soon to call winter officially over, it’s not too soon to start thinking about awning installation season. Once the snow starts to melt off the roof and the deck flooring begins to emerge from beneath the frost, our thoughts turn to long summer afternoons relaxing under the shade of an awning or canopy.
If you’re a DIY kinda guy or gal who wants to expand your outdoor living space, you should start thinking now about what type of awning you want. These days, there are many different types of awnings to choose from. But the common denominator is that they all need the right kind of hardware.
The first thing to consider is what type of awning you want for your house. Is it going to be stationary or retractable? If it’s retractable, will it be motorized or manual? How big do you want your awning to be?
Once you’ve answered those questions, you can figure out what kind of rigging hardware you will need. Mounting brackets that you can install on your siding is the first important consideration. You will need to select brackets, mounts and connecting fittings that will work with the type of siding you have on your home.
If your awning is retractable or movable you will need to select swivel eye pulleys and snaps that will allow your awning to move smoothly and with a minimum of effort. Stainless steel hardware will offer the best protection against the elements, as will rot-resistant rope and cords.
If you are planning to install a larger awning that will span large outdoor deck or patio spaces, it is very important to look at large harness swivel-eye pulleys and fixed-eye trigger snaps.
Maybe your backyard or deck calls for a smaller portable awning? It doesn’t really matter what size or shape it is. It’s just as important to have hardware that won’t weigh your awning down or make it difficult to move or rotate. Using stainless steel, swivel eye pulleys and weather-resistant cords and roping will make relaxing under the shade of your awning a breeze.
Regardless of the size or shape of your awning or canopy, Henssgen Hardware supplies the best snap hooks, pulleys, quick links, and rigging and mounting equipment to get the job done right and make your summer outdoor space hassle-free.
Call us at 1-800-833-9598, contact us online and check out our amazing selection of industrial rigging hardware in our product catalog.
The rapidly growing popularity of small, local makers of food and dairy products means that there are a growing number of customers who need to upgrade their farm equipment to meet strict codes enforced by the dairy industry. Also, more and more people want to know where their food is coming from. So, local producers and farm stores are experiencing a rebirth around the country.
Small local dairy farmers are making and selling their own yogurts, cheeses, butter and milk right on the farm, which means they must use stainless steel equipment. The average person may think that stainless steel is only necessary for equipment such as the milk holding tanks or stainless equipment in the food processing areas.
But, stainless steel is also one of the best materials for snap hooks, quick-release and panic snaps, and pulleys. If your local farmer’s pulleys and hooks resemble something you might find in the vintage antique shop, it’s time for a change.
Some facts about dairy cows
Did you know that there are about 11 million cows in America and 94 percent of them are the familiar black and white Holsteins?
When a Holstein is born, it weighs about 90 lbs. By the time it reaches adulthood, it weighs an average of 1,500 lbs. and stands almost five feet tall at the shoulders. That’s one hefty heifer!
Cows need to be able to move their heads freely. They tend to panic if they are restricted from looking behind them. That is why fasteners, snaps and quick-release snap hooks are the safest kind of equipment to use – for both the cow and the farmer.
Some reasons to use stainless steel pulleys, snaps and hooks
Stainless steel is chemically and biologically neutral and has no impact on the dairy products you consume.
Stainless is easier to clean and disinfect because of its smooth surface.
Because of its composition, stainless steel is extremely durable and resistant to corrosion.
So, save those vintage pulleys, hooks and riggings hardware for the flea market or antique shop. When buying hooks, pulleys and snaps, think stainless steel.v
Henssgen Hardware has been supplying customers with the highest quality rigging hardware since 1978. We stock more than 100 different styles of snap hooks, pulleys and quick links in all sizes and in a large variety of metals to serve the dairy industry as well as marine, sports and agricultural industries. Our full-service warehouse, located in upstate NY can ship your order and get it to you within just a few days. And, our online catalog makes purchasing quick and easy.
Contact Henssgen Hardware today at our toll-free number, 800-833-9598, to talk to one of our knowledgeable staff. Or visit us at www.henssgenhardware.com.
As winter descends upon us and the days and nights grow colder, fans of ice fishing are getting out their gear and preparing to reel in plenty of fish from nearby lakes, streams, and rivers.
For those who are new to this chilly winter sport and excited to get out on the ice, you’ve probably already got your augurs, chisels and special rods, reels and lures. And, your ice shanty is sitting in your garage, all ready to be loaded onto your pickup.
Think you’ve got everything? Well, before you head out onto the ice, don’t forget the other gear. You’re going to need sturdy rigging hardware to pull that shanty onto the lake or river. And, once you’re all settled on the ice, gear like D rings, double end bolt snaps and quick links are indispensable items for hanging your gear inside your shanty and keeping your reels and lines untangled and organized.
It’s also a good idea to have snap hooks linked to your fishing vest and other outerwear, giving you easy access to lures, jigs and other items that you’ll need to get your hands on in a hurry. If you’re really diving into the ice fishing experience, chances are you’re going to cook your own food while you’re out there. Did you bring a cooking pot to hang over your campfire? Don’t forget to also pack some S-hooks for hanging the pot and other galley gear. Henssgen Hardware has a complete line of the best pulleys, hooks, all-purpose snaps and quick links in Stainless Steel, brass, die-cast zinc and other metals that won’t corrode when exposed to the water and the freezing elements.
Be sure to browse our extensive online catalog before you finish packing for your first ice-fishing trip of the winter. Otherwise, you could find yourself fishing on thin ice without the right equipment
More and more people are using awnings to expand their living space, add seating capacity for restaurants, lounges and cafes, and to keep the elements at bay. Back in the day, the only awnings you saw were the ones people put on their windows in the summer to keep their homes cooler. These days you see them everywhere.
It seems climate has less and less to do with what part of the country awnings pop up – or roll out, as the case may be. That’s why it is particularly important for manufacturers – and consumers – to make sure that the hardware on the awning is going to hold up against all different types of weather and conditions.
Things like salt, precipitation and high humidity can wreak havoc on that expensive awning – if the hardware can’t hold up. If you’re a manufacturer and most of your customers live or have businesses along the coast, you are going to need the best marine hardware products available. They need to be corrosion-and rust-resistant, without detracting from the aesthetics of your product.
Snaps, pulleys and swivel bolts made of stainless steel, nickel-plated, die cast zinc or brass are probably going to be your best bet, giving your product longer life without hardware replacement hassles and adding beauty and quality to the overall product.
If your product list includes tarps, tents or boat covers in addition to awnings, the same rule applies.
For retractable awnings, whether you require swivel eye pulleys or fixed-eye die-cast, they need to maintain their efficiency and their appearance so your customers can get that awning opened or closed on a moment’s notice.
For all of these items and more, your best resource is Henssgen Hardware. A family-owned and operated business, Henssgen is a leading distributor of over 100 boat snap hooks and assorted hardware including assorted snap hooks, pulleys, quick links, and more! 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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