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How to Select Turnbuckle?

Hey,guys. Are you looking for a product to help take up slack in your straight pull, inline rigging assembly? The turnbuckle is what you will need.

Turnbuckles are used to take up slack and apply tension to a rigging assembly.

They are designed to be loaded in straight pull, inline applications. They come in a variety of types, sizes, and coatings to suit many suspending, tie down, and tensioning type applications.

Thread Diameter

Thread diameter refers to the diameter of the threaded portion of the end fittings. Larger thread diameters will have a greater load carrying capacity than smaller thread diameters.

Take Up Length

Take up refers to the total length that the end fittings can screw in and out of the turnbuckle body to take up tension.

To increase the amount of total take-up capability in your system, either choose a turnbuckle with more take-up or attach 2 or more turnbuckles together, in line.

Tensioning

Turnbuckles can tension assemblies without twisting them up because one end fitting is left-hand threaded and the other is right-hand threaded. This design feature ensures only the turnbuckle body twists when tensioning.

End Fittings

How to Select Turnbuckle

China LG Supply offers typical turnbuckles with a selection of 3 different types of end fittings with each fitting having its own purpose, advantages, and disadvantages.

Eye End Fittings

How to Select Turnbuckle

Eye end fittings are used with other components that can be opened and connected to the eye such as a shackle or quick link. They contain no moving parts and are the most cost-effective end-fitting of the three.

Jaw End Fittings

How to Select Turnbuckle

Jaw end fittings are composed of a jaw, bolt, and nut. These are used to connect to other components that cannot be opened, such as an eyebolt or swaged sling eye.

Depending on size, some jaw turnbuckles only come with a pin and cotter.

How to Select Turnbuckle

You can find a list of the components included with each jaw on our Turnbuckles page.

Hook End Fittings

How to Select Turnbuckle

Hook end fittings are used for temporary connections and are easily attached and detached from other rigging components.

How to Select Turnbuckle

We do not recommend hook fittings in situations where tension can unexpectedly release from the turnbuckle as this may cause the hook to dislodge.

Double-check your fittings when using hook turnbuckles because the hooks are large and may not fit with other fittings having a similar working load limit.

How to Select Turnbuckle

Toggle Jaw

How to Select Turnbuckle

Toggle Jaw is a specialty end fitting that is available on some of our stainless-steel turnbuckles. It is especially useful when the turnbuckle must articulate in a direction that isn’t allowed by the other component used in the application.

Cable Railing Swage Turnbuckles

How to Select Turnbuckle

China LG Supply also carries a variety of Cable Railing Swage Turnbuckles which are used in cable railing systems.

Drop Forged vs Formed and Welded

How to Select Turnbuckle

Our galvanized turnbuckles are drop forged.

Our stainless turnbuckles come in both drop forged or formed and welded varieties.

The formed and welded turnbuckles are nearly as strong as the drop forged turnbuckles and offer significant cost savings. For critical applications that require stainless turnbuckles, the drop forged turnbuckles will offer better long-term reliability due to the end fittings’ elongated design that reduces stress and their superior manufacturing process.

Coating Types

Our turnbuckles are made from hot dipped galvanized steel and type 316 stainless steel. For more information on coating types, please watch our video on YouTube or check out our Blog.

Stainless Steel Turnbuckles

How to Select Turnbuckle

Our most corrosion resistant

Best suited for outdoor applications

Highly resistant to rust

Ideal for use in or near saltwater environments where corrosion frequently occurs.

The best choice when using other stainless steel components.

Hot Dipped Galvanized Turnbuckles

How to Select Turnbuckle

Lower cost than stainless steel

Suited for outdoor environments

They are not as corrosion-resistant as stainless steel.

Installing Turnbuckles

Unscrew the End Fittings of the Turnbuckle

Unscrew the end fittings of the turnbuckle so that they are both fully extended. This can easily be done by unscrewing each end fitting one at a time until they are both equally extended.

Attaching Fittings for Jaw and Eye Turnbuckle

Jaw End

How to Select Turnbuckle

Unscrew the bolt from the jaw.

Insert the jaw over the eyebolt.

Then, insert the bolt back into the turnbuckle and fasten it tightly.

Eye End

How to Select Turnbuckle

Insert the eye into the opened shackle.

Close the shackle so that the eye is locked into place.

Tension

How to Select Turnbuckle

To tighten the turnbuckle, you can either use your hand, a screwdriver, or a wrench to turn the body. Make sure to stop the end fittings from spinning with the turnbuckle body. This will prevent the screws from screwing in unequally. Tighten until your rigging assembly is tensioned to the desired point needed for your application.

Locking and Application Considerations

How to Select Turnbuckle

If your application will expose the turnbuckle to vibration, it is good practice to lock the end fittings from turning by using a lock wire. This will prevent unwanted loosening over time.

Your turnbuckle may also be equipped with lock jam nuts to prevent loosening.

How to Select Turnbuckle

These can be used in non-critical applications, but are not recommended for critical applications as they put extra strain on the threads.

Pipe Turnbuckles

How to Select Turnbuckle

For pipe-style turnbuckles, a small screwdriver or other small-diameter-type rods can be used to tighten the turnbuckle. Insert it into the hole in the body of the turnbuckle and turn to the desired tension.

If you have any questions or need help choosing the products for your next rigging assembly, contact us. We look forward to helping you get your next project started.

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