Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I used a couple of these kits to install shade sails over my courtyard. The hardware is of good quality and should last a long time. There are a couple of suggestions I have for the DIY community. First, it is a really good idea to use anti-seize compound on the threads of the turnbuckle. This will prevent a condition known as galling where dry threads can lock up tight and render the turnbuckle unusable. You can find anti-seize compounds (which resemble automotive grease) on Amazon such as Permatex, Loctite and CRC brands. Second, one of my turnbuckles unwound by itself one windy night and when my wife went outside early in the morning, the turnbuckle pieces let go and hit her in the head! No injury, and we both laughed at the odds that the turnbuckle would let go at that precise time, but it did! The answer is to use lock nuts. Buy 8mm stainless steel nuts from Home Depot or Lowes, add lock-washers and thread them onto the side marked "R" (this represents the right hand threaded component). After getting the shade sail tension adjusted to your liking, tighten the lock nuts against the frame of the turnbuckle, and it won't unwind by itself again. Overall I'm satisfied with the turnbuckle shade sail kit except that the turnbuckle frames were slightly bent. However, this did not affect the basic mission or performance.