Hand jammer life

[Horace]

I'd had my hand jammer for pretty much dead on 4 years in February when I got to Bar Pot entrance and found that the spring had worn out.

Is this a reasonable lifetime for a jammer?

I've always been quite careful about not leaving it open and I'm sure I know many active cavers who've had theirs considerably longer so I wondered if there's something else that might have hastened its wear (I'm willing to admit I might not have cleaned it as regularly as desirable :wink: ).

 

[cap n chris]

probably eroded by oxidisation(?) caused by mud left on it.

 

[dunc]

I've had mine just over 6½years and its still fine.. Fair amount of usage, occasional cleaning - which involves flicking mud of usually and nowt else!

 

[AndyF]

I've found the limiting life being worn out points no longer gripping on muddy ropes, rather than a liftime in elapsed years.

 

[SamT]

Yup - mines donkeys years old - worn points for me.

the spring had worn out.

How do you mean 'worn out'

 

[paul]

I'd had my hand jammer for pretty much dead on 4 years in February when I got to Bar Pot entrance and found that the spring had worn out.

Is this a reasonable lifetime for a jammer?

Nope. Bought mine in mid 80's and still going strong - the points are not as sharp as they once were but that's usually no problem.

 

[Horace]

Quote:the spring had worn out.



How do you mean 'worn out'

Hmm, not entirely sure how to describe this. Basically the spring that keeps the cam in a locked position when the jammer isn't loaded doesn't work. Looking at it the spring seems to be at maximum compression but I haven't been able to free it at all, and i'm not sure I'd trust using it after taking a screwdriver to it, especially as i don't know exactly how it works.

It could still be used as a jammer, with the faff of holding the cam in the correct place on the rope, putting a bit of weight on it to engage the teeth etc but obviously not as a second point of protection.

 

[SamT]

Sounds more like the spring has snapped or has popped off its keep. Time for a new jammer by the sounds. Have never heard of it happening to anyone else though

I'd be tempted to try and dismantle it (since its knackered anyway) and see if you can fix it.

 

[twllddu]

As your life may depend on it working one day I suggest throwing it. (I'm being hypocritical here as I have a collection of them in the garage that I never seem to get rid of)