Finger crunching during winching in w/Factor55

[JAsh1967]

So I've got a Factor55 Flatlink and today, I nearly crunched my fingers winching the line in and am looking for suggestions. I had unspooled the line some, just to show someone the line and when I was winching back in, I will admit I was holding the Flatlink in a bad way. I was holding it with my fingers wrapped around it near the line, and set up so it would lay flat on the fairlead and, well, the line reeled in quicker than I was expecting (despite having been reeling it in for a minute!)

So, the good news, no damage done to the fingers, it was more a hard squeeze because the MOMENT I saw what was about to happen I let go of the IN button on the winch control.

What I'm wondering is, is there a better way to reel in the line with these Flatlinks? There's not really a way to put a loop through the hole in the Flatlink, not unless I want to take it out every time I need to use a shackle (hard OR soft) and I'd prefer not having the Flatlink sticking out straight like my Jeep is sticking it's tongue out at people.

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[JAsh1967]

And from watching Factor55's video on the Flatlinks...
Yeah, like Steve Jobs told iPhone users years back, "I was holding it wrong." LoL

 

[WILDHOBO]

I’ve had one for 5 years. I hold it from the front of the flat link, with it perpendicular to the line. That way my fingers are never behind it. I also do the final tap to snug it up, after it’s touching. So no fingers at all.

 

[Jaxmax]

Sorry you were holding it wrong, just hold it right and rethink it before pushing the button.
Winches are right up there with chain saws for danger never get careless with them.....Jack
PS: Glad you are ok it could have been bad but for your quick thinking!

 

[caryt]

IMO its just overpriced, I just use a winch thimble that's a clone my Friend made from 7075 and a std shackle WLL rated. Fast, light and safe to use.

 

[WILDHOBO]

IMO its just overpriced, I just use a winch thimble that's a clone my Friend made from 7075 and a std shackle WLL rated. Fast, light and safe to use.

How was it tested for breaking strength? I’ll happily buy something that’s ben tested. Cool to be able to make your own stuff though.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I’d honestly like to go all metal less for my winching needs. At least for line and connections on my side of operations. Still going to have D-rings on the attachment points but as far as the winch and moving parts go I’d like all synthetic. Only really need a metal attachment point for snatches or something of that nature and that doesn’t happen with a winch.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Sorry you were holding it wrong, just hold it right and rethink it before pushing the button.
Winches are right up there with chain saws for danger never get careless with them.....Jack
PS: Glad you are ok it could have been bad but for your quick thinking!

I miss you Jack.

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