Team3Six Winch line test.

[toyofast]

Thanks to Norm @ Team3Six for allowing me to test the winch line.

I received two samples to test, bags were labeled "Test A" and "Test B". At a first quick glance they both appeared to be the same, although once you look closer, you can see and feel the difference.

My test rig is the lovely Bulu Productions FJ40. It weighs in at a petite 8lbs. It has a servo winch, a Hitec 645MG. This servo is nearing it's end as these last few tests have really put the strain on the servo, but that's another story.

No cool shots of it on the spool, it wrapped around.





Here you can see my old original winch line working, while it works good, after it frays, it tends to give out only a few pulls later.
Video thanks to Mike B. a fellow ORCRC member,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYWREddm6xY



I was excited to test these lines from Team3Six. I have been wanting to find something better than what I had. I really think that one of these lines is the one I want, I will require about 20 feet.... hear that Norm? I'll want at least 20 feet of the winner in this thread.


Other testers have already shown good detailed images of the lines, I have no still cameras for nice macro shots of the lines, so please see their threads for detail images of the lines.


Test A line:
Good -
- Smaller diameter.
- A bit more stiff, which makes it easier for me to work with.
- Just a nice line.
- Super strong.

Bad -
- None and I'm still trying to find something about it I didn't like, but I just really liked it.
- Not really a bad point bit there was one spot that frayed, about 1" long spot. Not sure how it happened.

Test B line:
Good -
- Thicker diameter line made it easier to grab to spool out and to toss around.
- Feels like a soft rope, nice to the touch.
- Very strong line.

Bad -
- Line diameter is to thick, doesn't allow you to fit as much onto your spool.
- It frays way too easily, every inch of line that was exposed and under pressure frayed. The fraying was not huge strands sticking out, but the line became "fuzzy". During my tests I only dragged the line over a small rock, a round river rock, about 3-4" in size.
- It STINKS!!! I have no idea what it's coated in but it's some sort of chemical that leaves a stinky residue on your hands/fingers.
- Again, it STINKS! Even 7 hours after touching it my hands still had the odor of this line.


OVERALL:

Both winch lines from Team3Six were great. Both showed to be incredibly strong. I'd honestly say that either of the two lines would work in a TTC type event. Although, if a person had to pick one of these lines as the winner, it'd be winch line "A" for me.

I picked "Test A" winch line for these reasons, easy to work with, didn't show signs of wanting to fray and lastly, it doesn't stink!




My video of the testing.

Watch in HD!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqOWpx_c72U

[Tommy R]

I'm glad someone else has a similar experience with Line "B" as I did. I was beginning to think I'd done something wrong since no one else noticed any fraying of the line. Mine didn't stink, though. Maybe Norm gave you some specially scented line??

[toyofast]

Originally Posted by Tommy R

I'm glad someone else has a similar experience with Line "B" as I did. I was beginning to think I'd done something wrong since no one else noticed any fraying of the line. Mine didn't stink, though. Maybe Norm gave you some specially scented line??

The fraying of line "Test B" didn't really concern me as it feels incredibly strong. I had a hell of a time cutting the loose end after I tied it to my hook.

My "Test B" still stinks. I think it's from what ever chemical is used to help adhere or bind the line together during assembly. I was also doing my test in the rain and perhaps getting the line wet is when the chemical is released.

[Tommy R]

Same here. I didn't feel "B" was going to fail at all. But I also had a heck of a time cutting it. Eventually, I found some scissors that were sharp enough, but it wasn't easy!

Good point about getting the line wet to release the aroma. I'd try it out by getting mine wet, but now I'm too scared to try it!

[toyofast]

Originally Posted by Tommy R

Same here. I didn't feel "B" was going to fail at all. But I also had a heck of a time cutting it. Eventually, I found some scissors that were sharp enough, but it wasn't easy!

Good point about getting the line wet to release the aroma. I'd try it out by getting mine wet, but now I'm too scared to try it!

Hahaha Yeah, the odor is rather repulsive. I couldn't think of anything else that smells like it, but obviously it's a synthetic or man made chemical odor. I'm pretty sure getting the line wet was what released the chemical. Would washing away this chemical cause any issues down the road? Not sure. I have a feeling the chemical is there for a reason.

Maybe Norm can chine in on the odor/chemical from "Test B" winch line.

[team3six]

I thought you were kidding, so I tried it and dipped it in water.
YES, It stinks

And the reason for that is because it is dipped in a solution to repel water. Figures,lol

So there ya have it. A it is.
In a few weeks I will be announcing the team3six winch line. it will come with some goodies and come in 20' lengths
thanks to everyone who tested. it is much appreciated.

[slobin3d]

Can I have a few feet of the stinky stuff, I want to get it wet and hide it in Ben's truck, Grumpy old men style

[cydog510]

great work, is it braided?

[toyofast]

Originally Posted by slobin3d

Can I have a few feet of the stinky stuff, I want to get it wet and hide it in Ben's truck, Grumpy old men style

You'd have to rub it all over the steering wheel. Once it's on your hands is when you really notice the odor.

Originally Posted by cydog510

great work, is it braided?

I can't answer that. I'm not a string, fishing line, twine, rope, or hair stylist.

[toyofast]

Update.

Test line "B" broke on me yesterday. It wasn't bound up or under any sort of real stress. It broke right where a rock had frayed the line. When the line broke I was spooling the line back in. It snapped with only slight hand pressure to keep the line tight.

[War Pig]

How is your winch spool working?

[toyofast]

Originally Posted by War Pig

How is your winch spool working?

Good. I almost need a bigger one. Can only get about 7'-9' of line onto it. I've had the line "jump" off the spool a couple times. Perhaps the spool needs some sort of raised edges to aid in guiding or keeping the line on the spool.

I did modify my rod-end guide do-hicky to aim the line right onto the center of the spool.

[ussprinceton2004]

..will the team3six Synthetic competition winch line (for $10 at his website) work properly on a 3Racing 1/10th winch?..

[team3six]

Originally Posted by ussprinceton2004

..will the team3six Synthetic competition winch line (for $10 at his website) work properly on a 3Racing 1/10th winch?..

Ahhhh, yup!

[ravencr]

So, is test A, this: Web Store - team3sixRC or this: Web Store - team3sixRC

Chris

[team3six]

Hey Chris, sorry for taking so long to get back to you.
It would be test line A
I believe I thought before that test line B was the winner, but Toyo prooved it wrong.
And that was Kevlar thread.
The other stuff works awesome and has been a winner for awhile now.

Originally Posted by ravencr

So, is test A, this: Web Store - team3sixRC or this: Web Store - team3sixRC

Chris

[ravencr]

Which one of those links is the right product I need to order, though?

Chris

[team3six]

The line tested is synthetic winch line.
the other stuff is steel line. More used for playing.

[ravencr]

LOL...which link that I posted is the best one to get? Please repost the link that I need to buy...

Chris

[team3six]

Thats the old website.
Use this link here, that is the winch line your looking for.
Scale Store - team3sixRC