My goal was to make a somewhat universal wrist lanyard that could attach to most tools
and flashlights without necessarily clipping to an attachment point. I also wanted to make
sure that there was some type of weak link in the system as my cordage of choice is
spectra. I have considered this lanyard on and off for quite some time and I finally came
up with a simple combination of parts that looks like it will be up to a myriad of
applications.
It consists of two pieces of spectra 7/64" line; each 18" long. One section, with a clip, will
typically be the loop that goes on the wrist and either attaches directly to the tool or will
attach to the other half which is used as a cinch and set on tools which don't have simple
attachment points. I have a few of these in my tool boxes as well as in my auto. I consider
them to be a non specific wrist lanyard that can be pulled out and used with a tool or light
when and if a task requires a secure connection between me and the tool.
The cinch and set portion is illustrated in the image below:
The loop is placed around the tool and then cinched down tight. The toggle is then slid
down to lock the loop in place. Once under load, the loop continues to tighten on the tool.
Although this system is very simple in design and application, it is surprisingly effective and
sound in function.
In some cases, an increase in diameter may be required to insure that the loop does not
work its way off when the lanyard is loose and not loaded. In the picture below, a large
mag light has a band of whipping twine used as a stop collar:
The cinch and set portion provides an adjustable "soft" attachment to the tool. In some cases
a short attachment lanyard might be needed for clipping a tool to a work belt or bo'suns chair.
In this case, the portion with the clip can be attached to the tool and the portion with the split
ring can be used as a wrist strap. The tool can be transferred from the tool belt to the wrist strap
when in use. Below is an image of the clip portion being used by itself in a more traditional
fashion:
The weak "links" in this system are the plastic tab terminations that close the loop on both
sections as well as the split ring which is in the "chain of load" when both sections are in use.
The terminations have pointed teeth which grab the ends of the spectra and hold the line fast
for a secure and strong connection. They will however fail well before the spectra rope would.
In one simple load test I performed, one of these terminations popped open when the load got
to 45 pounds. A view of the terminations below: