IIRC, the folks who regulate lifeline specs for the offshore racing set are not
yet ready for materials other than stainless wire. Lifelines certainly are an
application that has lots of people thinking about it. I wouldn't do my own
engineering here, but wait for a change in practices to evolve and be thoroughly
tested.

Sailrite has some fairly heavy closed ss thimbles. You might also try
Howe&Bainbridge, supplier to sailmakers.

Garland Gray II wrote:

Good point.
I may end up w/ss for this. I want to replace my lifelines with Amsteel.
"Jim Conlin" wrote in message
...
I recollect learning that only cast thimbles or heavy galvanized thimbles
were
generally stiff enough not to deform when loaded to a nylon or dacron
rope's
full safe working load. Stainless ones were second place and plastic a
distant
third. Ask a competent rigger before using a plastic thimble in a line
that's
to carrry any significant load.

Ron Magen wrote:

Garland,
I've seen them quite consistently at West Marine {all over}. I would try
them, first. Other places to 'look' are Jamestown Distributors {Rhode
Island}, Hamilton Marine {Searsport, Maine - for REAL, 'Workin' Stuff'},
and
Defender Industries {Conn}.

My only caveat is, I'm not sure about the 'larger' sizes - 1/2 in line
and
up. I know I used white ones for my 3/8in and 1/2in mooring pennants -
got
them at the Philly West Marine store.

Regards & Good Luck,
Ron Magen
Backyard Boatshop

"Garland Gray II" wrote in message
news:MvHbc.674$bh.184@lakeread02...
Ha, I was a little slow to get that one!
I always used ss until I saw what it does to galvanized chain.
I had never seen a black plastic one until a few hours ago! A friend
had
bought an anchor line on ebay, and I noticed it in his truck. Only id
was
Taiwan, but was a nice thimble w/ straps.

"Keith" wrote in message
...
Doing a lot of sewing?

Why not SS? I don't think I've ever seen a black plastic one, but it
would
be a good idea. Would be cheaper for the mfg's as well.

--


Keith
__
Some people are like Slinkies: not really good for anything, but
you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the
stairs.
"Garland Gray II" wrote in message
news:nrobc.59$bh.45@lakeread02...
Are these available? It's easy to find white or translucent
thimbles,
but
uv
eats them up so badly.
TIA
Garland