Capping pin design

[Rhys]

Why anyone would worry about the hardness of their capping pin tip is beyond me. So long as sets off the cap, it's all good.

I grind or file 8mm coach bolts into a shape similar to shown by Pete Hall above. I treat them as fairly disposable and bend a couple on any capping session. I have the pin passing through a too-tight hole in a piece of welly rubber. I've never had one fly out using this method as the rubber grips the thread. If it did move, the rubber would slow it down and the rounded coach bolt head won't pierce me. I also use gloves, safety specs, ear-plugs and attempt to be out of the firing line just in case.

 

[droid]

Skilled engineers worry about stuff like this, Rhys.....lol

 

[Simon Wilson]

Why anyone would worry about the hardness of their capping pin tip is beyond me. So long as sets off the cap, it's all good.

I grind or file 8mm coach bolts into a shape similar to shown by Pete Hall above. I treat them as fairly disposable and bend a couple on any capping session. I have the pin passing through a too-tight hole in a piece of welly rubber. I've never had one fly out using this method as the rubber grips the thread. If it did move, the rubber would slow it down and the rounded coach bolt head won't pierce me. I also use gloves, safety specs, ear-plugs and attempt to be out of the firing line just in case.

Around thirty years ago when cavers first started capping people were usually using things they could easily buy at their local hardware shop such as threaded rod. There were a lot of injuries. Since then some of us have learned from mistakes, we know how to make better gear for capping and there are a lot fewer injuries.

With a well designed capping rod it can be left at a dig site and do hundreds of rounds of capping without going wrong. I can also lend my capping rod to people and know that I will get it back in perfect condition. I prefer to use a well engineered capping rod. If you aren't interested that OK.