Saying Goodbye To Split Washers
2021 is in full swing, up is down, left is right, we’re all busy hiding in our homes, wearing ninja masks at the grocery stores and suddenly word comes down that lock washers are no longer required equipment for rigging our shells?!? Ok I know many of you are busy lighting your torches and honing the tines of your pitch forks; but before you start researching the address for the Momentum Rowing world headquarters and calling your posse just hear us out.
This year a NASA manual published in the 1990’s was distributed online in which the actual rocket scientists studied this exact problem and the conclusion that the split washer was all but useless. We’ve all been using split washers for years. I myself was particularly religious about ensuring that my own shell and my team’s boats ALWAYS used 2 flat washers AND a split washer (or lock washer to some). The objective of the lock washer (in our minds) was that this would ensure that the nut remained tightened and did not break lose. The problem, as NASA explains clearly, is that the split washer is essentially useless at this task and in fact that their is NO scientific evidence to suggest that the use of split washers provides any amount of increased friction or locking effect for nuts that would prevent them from loosening. See the study right here:
So what do we do now? Well, as it turns out, the study says that the use of a regular flat washer is AS effective as the flat PLUS split. The real determinant of sticking power is the tightness of the nut and bolt which is determined by the wrench wielder (you). We still should be using washers between our bolts/nuts and the riggers and gunwales that could get damaged by the spinning/grinding motion of tightening and loosening them but no longer must we worry about losing those little split washers in the grass at the trailer yard or fret that our riggers need 3 washers on every bolt.
What’s the upshot for the rower? Less washers means less weight! It may not be huge but any little bit counts and you weight weenies out there will love calculating how many grams you’ve shaved off your boat and the nano seconds gained over 2K (we estimate ~ 1/8sec over 2K for an eight). Added to this you will spend less on replacements, have less aggravation and increased simplification of your system. ONE LESS THING!
Momentum Rowing has been following this advice for the last 2 years already in all sizes and classes of boats to great effect. You will see that the lack split washers is evident in our bolt assembly packs and allows us to give you the best price on hardware! Looking for an even greater evolution? try using the nylon thumb nuts to eliminate yet another washer and all your washers at the same time!