When to choose jaw and eye turnbuckles
The jaw and eye configuration solves the common case where your two anchor points are different: one is a pin, bracket, or fixed lug, and the other is a shackle or wire rope sling. The jaw end, a U-shaped fork with a through-bolt, connects to something that cannot open, like a pad eye or bracket, while the eye end attaches to a shackle or thimble. That avoids forcing a mismatched connection at either end. Rotate the body to take up slack and tension the line. Like all turnbuckles, keep the pull in-line, maintain thread engagement, and confirm the working load limit for every part. Choose carbon steel for economical strength or hot dipped galvanized for durable outdoor use.
Material choices for jaw and eye turnbuckles
- Carbon steel: economical forged strength for tensioning.
- Hot dipped galvanized: durable coating for outdoor use.
Common applications for jaw and eye turnbuckles
- Connecting a fixed lug to a wire rope sling
- Overhead and structural tensioning
- Sailboat and marine rigging
- Mixed-connection tension assemblies
For two closed loops, see eye and eye turnbuckles, and browse every option on the main turnbuckles category.
Jaw and Eye Turnbuckles FAQ
When should I use jaw and eye?
When one anchor is a pin, bracket, or fixed lug (the jaw connects directly) and the other is a shackle or sling (the eye connects), so neither end is a mismatched connection.
How does the jaw end connect?
Open the jaw bolt, seat the jaw over the pin or lug, reinsert the bolt, and tighten the nut fully.
Can turnbuckles be loaded at an angle?
No. Keep the pull in-line and avoid angles that create side-load.