Swore off synthetic rigging for years, one job in Odessa changed my mind

I always used wire rope slings, figured synthetics were for light duty stuff. Then we had a lift out in Odessa, TX last month where the load had sharp edges and tight clearances. I tried a 12ft synthetic round sling with the protective sleeve just to get through the day. That thing handled the abrasion better than any wire I've used, and it was way easier to seat on the hook. Anybody else switched over after a specific job that made you eat your words?

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brookeellis16d ago

Wait, how are you rigging those wire ropes that a synthetic round sling outlasted them on abrasion? I've seen wire chafe through plenty of times on sharp edges if you don't have the right thimbles or pads. Were you just running the bare cable over the edges before, or was the protective sleeve on the synthetic doing that much more work? Because that sounds less like a material win and more like you finally used the right tool for the job. Curious if you actually went back to wire on the next lift or if that Odessa job changed your whole inventory.

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