| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| hnewman |
Posted - 08/27/2009 : 08:59:51 AM
I seem to be collecting old runner plastic. Some I can reuse for crappy trail conditions but most is just hanging in the barn collecting dust.
I have wanted to try toggles on my tugs and necklines instead of snaps. Since I have trouble with my fingers getting really cold (poor circulation because of my diabetes)and I am tired of dealing with frozen snaps I thought toggles would be worth trying. I handled for Neil at a race last winter and he uses toggles and boy was that nice and easy to work with.
Since I have all this runner plastic I decided to make toggles from the plastic. I am testing this out right now with my team. What I did was cut 3 inch pieces and drilled two holes to weave rope through. I am using two pieces of the plastic since one seemed too flexible. Instead of weaving the tug right into the plastic I just took a short piece of rope to weave and I am able to loop the tug loop (where the snap was hooked) right to this rope. This way I have a modular piece so if this does not work I can easily put the snap back on or if it does work, I can carry extra plastic toggles set ups if one breaks.
I do not know if the plastic I am using will be stiff and thick enough so I am testing with a few of my dogs: like Logan my malamute and my two main wheel dogs. I figure if the plastic does not work and breaks on the trail, I can easily swap the snaps back onto their tugs.
Helen |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Born2mush |
Posted - 10/29/2009 : 10:25:46 PM
Have any of you tried toggle necklines..I tried them and so far they work wonderful...I have a hard time with the small clasps and went bigger and was told by a race marshal to remove them... so end result I am trying this new idea and so far I am loving it. |
| isutsipaaq |
Posted - 10/23/2009 : 07:32:41 AM
Hello again,
I attach my toggles to the harness using the tug loop by feeding it through a hole on the toggle and then looping it around, as described in the above post. Basically a hitch. This way the toggle stays with the harness not the lines. This is better because you can then use the toggle to hold, control, or walk with your dogs.
Thanks for all the emails to see my "traditional" toggles. If there is someone out there who has a website and is willing to post my picture mentioned earlier in this tread, it would mean people don't need to email me to see how the Inuit toggles work. |
| dog musher |
Posted - 10/20/2009 : 3:05:27 PM
Rhum,
What I was thinking of doing is making a hole in the center large enough for the tug line to go through, then looping it around the toggle, kind of like how snaps are attached. Through it, then around. |
| rhum |
Posted - 10/20/2009 : 10:57:48 AM
The only bummer I see with these is that they appear to be built into the line. So if the line is chewed,or needs to be replaced for some reason it looks like the toggle would need to be cut off and re-fidded (if that's a word) onto a new line.
Are there any designs where the tug can be seperated from the toggle? i.e. not built into the tug? |
| hnewman |
Posted - 10/19/2009 : 5:14:05 PM
Lacey
I just loop the harness loop over the toggles. So far they have been working just fine. I have taken the dremel and smoothed the edges which helps.
My toggles are modular--which most toggles are not. Usually they are either directly connected to the loop on the harness or the loop on the gangline tug. If a toggle breaks this way I can easily put another on or just use a snap.
I have an old dog that does not pull anymore but loves to go out with the team. Even her toggle stays put even though her tug is not tight.
Helen |
| dog musher |
Posted - 10/19/2009 : 4:34:28 PM
So is it necessary to put the harness loop through the loop behind the toggle, the loop it around the toggle, as shown on http://www.prairieisledogtrekking.com/toggle.html? |
| BluMoon |
Posted - 10/19/2009 : 3:36:41 PM
The toggles can really be made quite small, even down to maybe 1.5 x 0.5 inches. I also use standard runner plastic, just one piece, and the toggle goes straight through the tug line loop without having to do any sort of double-looping. It's a very clever dog that would manage to back the toggle out of the loop. The toggles held all last winter's race season.
More to the point, I now feel secure that there are no weak points where the harnesses are secured to the tug lines. Too often, a bronze snap has come apart because of an over-eager dog, right before the start of a training run or race! |
| isutsipaaq |
Posted - 10/06/2009 : 9:57:09 PM
My 2 cents...
On northern baffin island we use toggles exclusively for attaching our dogs to the lines and Inuit have been using this methods for hundreds or thousands of years. In -45 celcius, you quickly learn that snaps do not work and if they do you will freeze your hands rapidly to get your dogs on and off their lines. Traditionally toggles were made from bone and ivory. Usually they are left permanently attached to the harnesses at the tug lines. I have a really beautiful one made by an elder from walrus tusk, it was a christmas gift to me last year! These days most people make them out of used runner plastic or white "teflon" plastic, which is actually pieces of UHMW. Some people still make them out of bone and ivory though. I carve all of mine out of old runner plastic or if I don't have enough I order small pieces from Lee Valley. I find a dremel tool is amazing for carving them. I think you would have more luck if you worked on shaping them like a cresent moon. If you email me I can send you pics of mine. I also make the line toggles for my fan hitch and the main toggle for my "pituk" out of carved runner plastic. I have never had any break or come undone when I have followed the tradition way of shaping them. This is a really fun project if you are into carving or recycling, and once you use well shaped toggles you'll never go back to metal snaps! |
| SledDogin |
Posted - 08/29/2009 : 4:38:26 PM
OK as long as it works that's good! much better then snaps |
| hnewman |
Posted - 08/29/2009 : 3:52:21 PM
I suppose it could, but if the dog has the tug line tight, it stays put. Even if the line has slack so far no problem. I know others use round toggles and I do not think they have problems with them slipping out.
I remember owning a coat as a child that had toggle type "buttons" on it. Same concept.
Helen |
| SledDogin |
Posted - 08/29/2009 : 2:21:47 PM
that sounds cool but wouldn't the toggle slip out of the harness loop??? |
| Dave Hemmins |
Posted - 08/29/2009 : 11:36:45 AM
Good idea. In the UK old runners where used as brushbows on dryland rigs but then the rules where changed and brushbows are no longer allowed to be flexible. As we get little to no snow I now use band saw blades before the teeth are ground on as runner eliminating the need to recycle plastic runners.
Dave |
| hnewman |
Posted - 08/29/2009 : 09:59:25 AM
Instead of snapping to the loop on the harness, you just put the toggle through the loop of the harness.
They worked great this morning when I took out two different teams. Only problem was on a few harnesses the loops were rather small so difficult to get the plastic toggle through. But that can easily be fixed. It sure did make my whole set up lighter in weight. We will bevel the edges down too I think and I might try some rods to compare. But for now this worked and I do think I want to keep them modular so if one breaks I can easily put a snap or another toggle on.
Helen
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| SledDogin |
Posted - 08/28/2009 : 8:36:52 PM
cool but how does it work??? excuse my ignorance |
| alpinehusky |
Posted - 08/28/2009 : 7:30:34 PM
Neat...I hope they work for you... |
