Andy-T

Hi All, It is time for me to take a step back & chill down. I have over reacted and, on reflection and re-reading my posts they appear confrontational and not in keeping with this forum, nor my usual laid back approach to life in general. I have known David Bowyer for many years and in fact Plasma would not be as well established in the UK if it were not for David’s help and enthusiasm some 12 years ago when setting up Ruftraks UK Limited. He did both promote and sell Plasma exclusively for some years and for this I will be always indebted to him. Time moves on and David sourced other brands of synthetic winch line to replace Plasma – this does not make him a bad person, in fact I still consider him a friend and someone I would have no hesitation in phoning if I needed help or advice. After all, he is the font of all knowledge when it comes to all things in the world of winches & offroading in General (4 stars at least). So, we live in a world of choice, covering quality and price – this is a good thing and not something to get hot under the collar about, today has not been a good day for me as I have the worst case of “man flu” in many years, reducing what little short fuse I normally have, to no fuse at all. For this I apologise unreservedly to all concerned. There are as many products out there as there are prices and specifications. If you are willing to do your homework you will make the correct, informed choice that suits both your pocket and application. Right, back to bed for me and I hope tomorrow is a better day! Andy Thomlinson.

Dear Off Road Toad, Happy to report that I am free of deformities for the moment - yet another inaccuracy corrected! I have a winch, it is fitted with genuine Plasma and I highly recommend it, as I am sure you have concluded by now. So not everyone on the thead is behind one supplier/manufacturer - second correction. Manipulation of recognised industry standards & testing results is surely not acceptable behaviour - are you stating publically that certain published, certified testing figures are wrong? If so, please be good enough to specify which ones are breaking the strict regulations that govern this industry, I merely stated for the record the freely available Nominal Breaking Strains for two products, are both wrong , both right, or is it just the ones you like that you believe to be right? Also, I would like to point out that those with a vested interest, assisted, supported & in some casses, sponsored by a particular supplier are in no position to give a clear and unbiased opinion. perhaps they should also be "dumped" in the same bucket as those nasty "traders". Once again, Kindest regards, Andy Thomlinson ( happy not to hide behind a pseudonym & freely admiting to be one of those "nasty traders").

Dear Off Road Toad, Not really, hardly a measured response (4) considering the number of 4x4, winch users in the UK. Surely you don't ignore facts in favour of recommendations, I really find that somewhat disingenuous Also, to assume that by buying a thicker grade you are achieving higher strengths is inaccurate & just plain wrong. Further more, by purchasing a thicker grade you get less on the drum and have to use larger radius hawes & snatch blocks because if you don't your line will fail. With me so far? Chapter2. Please remember, the manufacturers of all synthetics recommend a minimum radius of 3 times the circumference of the line used. This can make quite a difference in offroad conditions. If you do the maths you will understand my point & it does make shocking stats for all to consider in this application. Why don't I save you the time - 12mm line = 114.12mm, 14mm line = 133.14mm minimum radius required to avoid failure of the line! I could continue with this "story", but would only bore us both with facts & figures, clearly of no relevance in your decision making process. Andy Thomlinson.

14mm Bowrope - NBS - 24,900lbs (spliced)! 11mm Plasma - NBS - 21,000lbs (spliced! 12mm Plasma - NBS - 31,300lbs (spliced)! 14mm Plasma - NBS - 37,900lbs (spliced)! Please tell me why you would buy Bowrope?? Thicker is not always stronger!! Andy Thomlinson.

Hi, The problem with double braided lines is that it is really difficult to splice & that the two types of line (inner core & outer sleeve) have different elongation rates & breaking strains. Now this may be fine for climbing lines, with built in streching characteristics, vital when put under the stresses of shock loading and also generally operating at much less NBS rates. Whereas synthetic lines used for winches have near to zero elongation prior to failure & operate at much higher breaking strains.. So, it is my belief that it is real difficult to compare the two diciplines as they are poles apart. AT.

Hi Steve, Resent. Regards, Andy.

Hi, I did pm you and if you want to give me a call I will see what I can do for you. Regards, Andy Thomlinson. Ruftraks UK Limited.

Hi, The only team spirit award on the Phoenix will come in the form of bottles offered to the organisers as bribes! Do you want my personal contact details??? Andy - T.

Hi Ross, Replacement event for this years Tay after all the troubles with the Forest Enterprise! A site down around the Scottish Borders - 31st Oct/1st Nov. AT.

No, you are wrong - that rules out the entire 4x4 Challenge scene as they are all brainless retards!AT.

What a daft lot you are! Don't you know the difference between a challenge & a club? Oh, I forgot, nobody said intelligence was required to do the Phoenix! I rest my case! AT.

Hi Nobby, You are spot on! He is on holiday that weekend. Yet to hear from you though! Am I to move your entry from the cancelled Tay to the Phoenix. The correct answer is Yes!! Andy T.

Hi All, The entries close for the Phoenix Challenge next week, so if you want to play get your entries in soon. Regards, Andy Thomlinson. Chairman SWCC.

Hi, My standard ali hawse fairleads fit the milemarker a treat - no need for the offset ones. AT.

Hi All, OK, a couple of questions on this thread, so I will try my best to answer them. Roller or Hawse? Hawse - lighter, maintenance free, kinder to the synthetic line because if you use the ali one it will wear and not the line! Don't worry about the hawse being narrower than the drum - synthetic will naturally feed the corners/sides. Capacity of a Milemarker. 100ft x 9.5mm Plasma. 90ft x 11mm Plasma. 80ft x 12mm Plasma. Please remember the law of diminishing returns - thicker line = less on drum, so 12mm will give you a working lenght of about 65ft, allowing for the tension wraps left on the drum. Hope this helps, Regards, Andy Thomlinson

Hi Dan, New site is looking good! http://www.wrexracing.co.uk/ Regards, Andy T.

Hi, Alan's spelling has never been all that good - PHOENIX Challenge. Neither has his grasp of land sizes - 11,000acres, not 1000acres. Yes it is about 150 - 200 miles south of last years event in Pitlochry, just into Scotland, over the border - so he has managed to get that bit right! Andy Thomlinson. Chairman, Scotia Winch Challenge Club

Hi, Well we have made the BBC website and as usual the Forestry Commission are being economical with the truth!! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/taysid...ral/8144141.stm Andy Thomlinson.

Hi, Mine. Andy - T.

Hi, Yup - thanks for the offer, happy for you to add it to your calender. D2? Entry rejected - to difficult to recover when it is reduced to scrap!!! AT.

Nop! Your choose which event you want to do! AT.

Hi All, The entry forms are now available for this years Tay Forest Challenge. They should be on the official website later today: http://www.tayforestchallenge.org.uk/index.htm We will be using the same forest as last year - just a different area within the site. The entry is open until 1st June on a first come first serve basis, up to the maximum of 20 teams of two vehicles, same as last year. Regards, Andy Thomlinson. Chairman, Scotia Winch Challenge Club. A not for profit event, with all proceeds donated to charity!!!

Hi, Mine:- Regards, Andy.

I know!!! AT.

Hi Alan, Good question! If you really wanted to have some fun on your own - or could not find anyone brave enough to sit with you, I suppose it is OK. Rather you had some one with you to "control" your enthusiasm. Andy.