Buckingham fritcion saver metal rings coming apart?

[Str8six]

I have a Buckingham steel ring friction saver that I have used very little, maybe 10 climbs. I was inspecting some equipment tonight and found that the steel rings have a layer of steel flaking off of them. I am worried that it could cut the rope as the edges of the flaking is extremely sharp. Has anyone heard of this problem? Is my concern justified or is it just how these things do? Im going to attactch some pictures.

 

[NYTREECLIMBER]

First thing first DO NOT USE THOSE ANYMORE. Now they look like they were pulled out of a tree and hit some rocks or pavement. If that's not the case I would send them back to buckingham or where ever you purchased them from. I've used those for years and never seen any chips/cracks/etc ,now i use the new style buckingham friction savers which are aluminum and use 16 strand rope ,and no issues with them either.


Sent from My Barrett 50cal.

 

[Str8six]

Thanks for the reply. I ment to mention, they have never hit anything other than themselves when you flip it over with your throw line. I have never set it any higher than about 30 feet and I either use a controlled descent to retrieve or just catch it. It has never been used over any concrete or rock, only grass and bare dirt. It scared me when I saw it. It looks like something cheaply chrome plated and the chrome plating is now coming off. I know its not plated but I dont understand it. I assumed that the rings were milled from billet steel. If so, there should be no layer to peel or flake off no matter what.

 

[NYTREECLIMBER]

They must be defective,I would email buckingham with the photos and see if they will send you a new one , but definitely do not use the one you have now ,best of luck. Dan.


Sent from My Barrett 50cal.

 

[Str8six]

I just sent them an email. Thanks again for the advice. I will update with what they say. Its just strange that the rings would be plated with anything. Plating is bound to come off eventually regardless of use. Here is another pic. I jsut dont want people thinking I abuse my equipment. This thing hasnt been used more than 10 times and is less than 8 months old. I guess they could have plated it with something to keep it from rusting but plating and sliding ropes DO NOT MIX!

 

[2treeornot2tree]

I am sure buckingham will make it right.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

 

[Str8six]

I emailed them saturday but haven't heard anything yet. Hopefully today they will say something.

 

[NYTREECLIMBER]

I emailed them saturday but haven't heard anything yet. Hopefully today they will say something.

They are probably closed till Monday for the holidays


Sent from My Barrett 50cal.

 

[Str8six]

That's what I figure.

 

[Pelorus]

Looks to me also like they were plated for rust prevention.
Defective batch? Wonder where Buckingham sources their rings?

 

[NYTREECLIMBER]

Looks to me also like they were plated for rust prevention.
Defective batch? Wonder where Buckingham sources their rings?

Probably china


Sent from My Barrett 50cal.

 

[Str8six]

I haven't received anything from them yet. Sent another email last night. If nothing tonight I'm gonna call them tomorrow.

 

[Str8six]

I haven't received anything from them yet. Sent another email last night. If nothing tonight I'm gonna call them tomorrow.

 

[NYTREECLIMBER]

I haven't received anything from them yet. Sent another email last night. If nothing tonight I'm gonna call them tomorrow.

That's strange buckingham is a stand up company,they should stand behind their product.


Sent from My Barrett 50cal.

 

[Nemus Talea]

Perhaps a fancy alloy layer that didn't bond with metal below. Probably strong enough, but as ya know, running rope over cheese grater. Not what you paid for. How many miles did it take off your line before ya found this?

Where did you buy the friction saver? Have them go to bat for you too.

(By the way, thanks for the reminder to inspect anti gravity gear.)

 

[bootboy]

It looks like just the chromate plating coming off. But you're right, that'll sherd a rope in short order.

I make my own out of the steel rings that wesspur sells with no issues.

 

[Str8six]

My rope appears to be undamaged by it so far. I don't use it a whole lot so that's probably why. Still haven't heard anything from them. I'm gonna call them in a while. This one came from Wespur.

 

[2treeornot2tree]

When I had a problem with my new ergavation harness I called them first. The guy I talked to gave me his email address and I sent him pictures and I had a new piece in my hands within 3 days.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

 

[Str8six]

Just got off the phone with them. They are the absolute nicest people you could ever ask too do business with I must say. I sent a couple of the pictures too them and they called back. Said they had only heard of one other case of this and it was long ago. They had no problem sending me a new one and even upgraded it too aluminum. I offered to pay the price difference if there was any but they wouldn't accept. Should have a new one in a few days. Once again, absolutely wonderful people to deal with!

 

[Nemus Talea]

Great to hear they did right by you.