fishrising Posted January 9, 2020 Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 How far into the threads of the toe bail on a TD3 SI (long plate) can you safely go? IE can you see some threads on the toe bail and be safe? I’ve got new size 31.5 325s and had to make a full turn or two to maximize the extension of the to bail in order for my boot to fit. I’ll check the sole length tomorrow. But there are longer than my old Head Stratos Pro boots for sure. Had to slide the toe bail out one notch on its base and lengthen the toe bails to the point where I’m a turn or two into the threads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dredman Posted January 9, 2020 Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 I think at least 3 or more turns would be best. I am not an engineer though. Check with Walker at Bomber/Gumbo to see if he has any long base plates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurch Posted January 9, 2020 Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 I make 1 full turn of the lug to be 1mm. Lug screws on to bail 17mm. Plenty left. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf Posted January 9, 2020 Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 (edited) I thought that looking at design criteria for aluminum-body turnbuckles might give some guidance. For example, here's a product page for a turnbuckle with a 1/4-20 thread (similar in size to the 6mm thread on the bail https://www.mcmaster.com/3003t17 Here's a drawing shown on that page: Comparing the 2 15/16" length of the aluminum barrel to the 2 1/8" max. adjustment range, we can work out the length of the threaded aluminum section on each side [(2 15/16 - 2 1/8)/2] = 0.406 inches. Dividing that 0.406 inches by the nominal 0.25 inch OD of the bolt, they have an aluminum engagement of 1.625 (call it 1.6) times the bolt OD. Following this logic with the 6mm OD of the bail, you'd want 6 x 1.6mm of threaded engagement - 9.6mm engagement. Rounding up, you would want 10mm engagement of the threaded connection to match the turnbuckle design. Based on Lurch's measurement of 17mm of thread at 1 mm per thread, you could have seven threads not engaged. Now for some disclaimers: This is a cheap turnbuckle with a 60lb capacity sold as "not for lifting". You might want to go with an extra safety factor when using it as a model for the binding. Also, on TD3s, if you accidentally step on the bail, the lug is constrained from moving so you will tend to mash the bail downward within the thread, possible causing the end threads in the lug to "trumpet" outward making those end threads less effective. Another reason to maybe add an extra safety margin. My gut feel is that having 2 threads showing probably does not weaken the threaded connection much as you probably still have 13 or so threads that are well engaged (with two more threads not well engaged at the end). I wouldn't feel comfortable going much beyond that though. Also, on any damaged bails I've seen, the bail snapped off at the end of the threaded section due to stress concentration, rather than pulling out of the aluminum lug. Edited January 9, 2020 by Wolf 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishrising Posted January 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 You guys rock! Thank you all! Quite the write-up @Wolf! Based on where I am, on the threads, I think I am in the "safe" zone... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowrider Posted January 9, 2020 Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 "I'm a turn or two into the threads" has me worried but you also said " Can you see some threads ?" If the banjo joint on the toe piece has play in it (does it wiggle side to side when threaded on to the bail) i would want to maximize the thread count. The threads in the aluminum piece start further down the hole and this design does give some strength to the bail where the threads end on the bail and the smooth shaft starts. By exposing this area without support of the banjo joint is a weak point. Over time sloppy threads will strip away the aluminum. Check often ! Extending the slot under the aluminum bar on the metal heel receiver may be the better option . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishrising Posted January 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 I'll take some pics tonight. But all possible adjustments are "maxed" out. Last step is micro-adjusting the toe bail. I am 99% sure I have the long base plates, but if someone has a measurement for the actual length of the long plate, I can double check that against mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topboost Posted January 9, 2020 Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 I cant measure mine until tomorrow night, but I have no problem with my 31m 325s fitting in them. The boot overall length is 332 on my shells. I believe that is the same for the 31.5m. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurch Posted January 9, 2020 Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 (edited) 3 hours ago, fishrising said: I'll take some pics tonight. But all possible adjustments are "maxed" out. Last step is micro-adjusting the toe bail. I am 99% sure I have the long base plates, but if someone has a measurement for the actual length of the long plate, I can double check that against mine. Here you go. I would be 99% sure you have long plates with M31.5s - I run M29 (BSL 319) and had to get long plates to center the boot. Edited January 9, 2020 by Lurch BTW that new Tanker is sweet! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishrising Posted January 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 I'll have to check my other pair of TD3s as well, but I am now thinking the pair I began to fit to my new boots are regular (short) plates.....ugh..... I recall taking note that the inner set of holes were right next to slots for mounting to the cant disk. I know I requested long plates when I ordered them years ago, but since my Head boots fit in them I never questioned that I didn't get long plates... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishrising Posted January 10, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2020 Ugh....looks like I have the regular length plates for both sets of my TD3s...and BSL of 332mm. Time to reach out to Bomber/Gumbo... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurch Posted January 10, 2020 Report Share Posted January 10, 2020 (edited) I am surprised your old Stratos BSL was so much shorter for the same mondo - basically two sizes shorter. Walker @forrest) will help and might even give you a choice of color!! Edited January 10, 2020 by Lurch Add tag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowrider Posted January 10, 2020 Report Share Posted January 10, 2020 Well you could still lengthen the slots in the steel receiver under the red aluminum bar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishrising Posted January 10, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2020 44 minutes ago, lowrider said: Well you could still lengthen the slots in the steel receiver under the red aluminum bar. Little dremel work, wouldn’t take much...hhhhmmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurch Posted January 10, 2020 Report Share Posted January 10, 2020 (edited) 4 hours ago, fishrising said: Little dremel work, wouldn’t take much...hhhhmmm This will work, but you will (still) have zero ability to center/offset your boot. Which might not matter. Or... Edited January 10, 2020 by Lurch Spchellin wuz rabbish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishrising Posted January 12, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 Anyone know if bomber@bomberonline.com email is valid for Walker at Bomber by Gumbo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurch Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 Thats it. You could try PM here too: @forrest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishrising Posted January 12, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 1 hour ago, Lurch said: Thats it. You could try PM here too: @forrest Thanks! Emailed him a few day’s ago and just now PM’d him. Will call early next week at the number I saw on his site if I don’t hear from him electronically first. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurch Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 @fishrising he is probably out making a few turns I've emailed him twice recently and he responded within 24 hrs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishrising Posted January 12, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 (edited) So...here is where I landed only using the adjustability of the bindings. I have not cut, grinded nor modified anything. Thoughts on how things look? Any concern on the minimal toe bail thread showing? Any concern with how the heel is engaged? Still might go after long plates. But this might work for the interim. Edited January 12, 2020 by fishrising Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonbordin Posted January 13, 2020 Report Share Posted January 13, 2020 Looks within margins to me. Since you're using the step ins with Fintecs you have an additional safety layer if the toe bail does break. All of my TD3 bails have always broken right where the threads end... knowing that I wouldn't do any traveling without spare bails and spare lugs and the correct sized allen wrench. It's really difficult to get the broken bail end out of the lug especially at a resort. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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