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 anthony @WOATWO
Location: Bronx, NY
Gender: Male
With the four Horsemen ride, Or choose your fate and die
 |  |  |  |  | Anyone have a good idea for a home made rappelling device?
< on 1/6/2004 4:00 AM >
|  | | | Found out how to make a swiss seat and we've got 2 ropes together giving us about 900' + feet.
go here for some good tips and instructions
http://155.217.58.58/cgi-bin/atdl.dll/tc/21-24/toc.htm
[last edit 3/29/2004 3:27 AM by anthony @WOATWO - edited 2 times]
Anthony @woatwo |
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sympathy in chaos
 
Location: Chicago
Gender: Male
| | | | Re: Anyone have a good idea for a home made rappelling device?
<Reply # 1 on 1/6/2004 4:02 AM >
|  | | | Homemade and Rappelling.
*shudder*
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Capone
Location: London, Ontario
Gender: Male
UEL
| | | Re: Anyone have a good idea for a home made rappelling device?
<Reply # 2 on 1/6/2004 4:06 AM >
| | | | EDIT: And the mods have moved it.. disregard my comment below.
You'd likely get a better response if you'd posted this in the Tutorials/Useful Info. section...
[last edit 1/6/2004 4:20 AM by Capone - edited 1 times]
So there I was, in this creepy old hallway... |
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Grozny
Location: USA
Gender: Male
| | Re: Anyone have a good idea for a home made rappelling device?
<Reply # 3 on 1/6/2004 4:18 AM >
| | | | As a guy who goes rappelling often, I think you should know homemade gear=death. Don't risk your life and the lives of rescuers. Buy the real deal.
"I watched a snail crawl along the edge of a straight razor. That's my dream. That's my nightmare. Crawling, slithering, along the edge of a straight... razor... and surviving." -Col. Kurtz. |
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Freak
  
Location: Usually Alaska, now MSP.
Gender: Male
Hypocrite
| | | Re: Anyone have a good idea for a home made rappelling device?
<Reply # 4 on 1/6/2004 4:20 AM >
| | | | Posted by WOATWO
Anyone have a good idea for a home made rappelling device?
Right now I'm using this 30' tow rope that i bought at PepBoys with a bunch of flares. I made a contraption out of 2 scaffolding harnesses that my neighbor (who is a contractor) gave me. So far it has been pretty safe, but I would still appreciate a few suggestions and recommendations.
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This is a really bad idea. Not only will any homemade belay/rappel devices not be as reliable or safe as a commercial design, the type of rope you are using is not rated for climbing and is not safe to use for that purpose. I also wouldn't trust that harness of yours with my life. If you want to get yourself killed then go ahead, but I'd reccomend buying a real harness, some real climbing rope and an ATC (fairly cheap rappel device) or Grigri (easier to use, but more expensive). Check your local climbing stores, they'll be able to tell you what you need.
Turn off the internet and go play outside.
http://spamusement...hp/comics/view/137 |
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Decoy
 
Location: Leslieville
Gender: Male
Oh I have slipped the bonds of earth...
| | Re: Anyone have a good idea for a home made rappelling device?
<Reply # 5 on 1/6/2004 4:34 AM >
| | | | Guys it's okay. We've obviously got McGuiver on our forums here.
Seriously, while that might do in a pinch, like: if there is no way to get help before this weeks guest star plummets to their death... Then go ahead and whip this together, but as everyone else has told you, this is a Baaaad idea.
However, I salute your creativity, and I think that if cash is tight and you'd like to take this along on a few missions till you get REAL gear, I doubt that anyone here would say that being partially prepared is worse than not being prepared at all. Just don't take it with the intention of using it.
It's a drag, it's a bore, it's really such a pitty
To be lookin' at the board, not lookin' at the city. |
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Mark
Very Noble Donor
Location: South Carolina
Gender: Male
What is a lion, king of the savannah, when hes at the south pole?
| | Re: Anyone have a good idea for a home made rappelling device?
<Reply # 6 on 1/6/2004 7:47 AM >
| | | | If you arent going a signifigant distance down anything you can do a body rapel. Also if you have to carabiners you can make a rapel device out of them. if you want to know I will tell you. Im not sure exactly what you are looking for. Yes your rope isnt worth crap for rapeling "safely" however it can has been done a lot. Remeber your rope isnt designed for rappelling so dont use it for high speed repels if you go slow and steady then your ok. There is also a few other things to worry about. PM me for details or leave a msg here. Also if your rapeling do you have funds to do this? What are you rapeling off of?
"If the threat level goes up its probably because of me." "I am looking for a girl who enjoys headbutting beltbuckles" |
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Caput_58
Location: Virginia, USA
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Anyone have a good idea for a home made rappelling device?
<Reply # 7 on 1/6/2004 8:18 AM >
| | | | I'm hoping he's joking.
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DarkTreader
Gender: Male
| | Re: Anyone have a good idea for a home made rappelling device?
<Reply # 8 on 1/6/2004 9:17 AM >
| | | | Actually, this is something I've kinda done for myself, just to see what I was able to do with what I had available.
I just swiped 3 of my web-belts from my closet and looped them together in such a way that I could easily loop it around my waist and clip the other two belts around my legs. Then I clipped myself into the entire rig and tied myself to a pulley on the back of our barn - found out that it holds up rather well, actually.
Now, I wouldn't recommend this as a consistent climbing tool. But, if you had to get someplace in a hurry (for an emergency or whatnot) and had the items available, you can do it.
Losers go home... winners go home and fuck the prom queen |
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Johnny Bravo
Location: more than 6 feet under (WI)
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Anyone have a good idea for a home made rappelling device?
<Reply # 9 on 1/6/2004 7:23 PM >
| | | | Iv made my own decent device before, its a webbing decender, I never plan to use it because I have rope not webbing, and just so you know its not finished so its a little rough looking.
Its also eazy to make your own harness out of rope, but I tried that before and fell a good 6 feet because the knot didnt hold. Another option might be making a rope ladder, it takes alot of time and rope, but it looks cool when your done.
Theres also the carabiner methods.
If you dont want to buy an ascender you can use the Prusik knot.
[last edit 1/6/2004 7:30 PM by Johnny Bravo - edited 1 times]
adventure without risk is disneyland http://www.infiltraterz.com |
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MacGyver
Location: St Paul, Minnesota
Gender: Male
"Someone go find me a paperclip, a D-cell battery, and a cheese grater"
| | Re: Anyone have a good idea for a home made rappelling device?
<Reply # 10 on 1/6/2004 8:00 PM >
| | | | I welded a crude figure eight device out of 3/8" round steel barstock several years back. I used it to rappell a 3/4" twisted nylon rope from trees for fun. My harness was carefully sewn from webbing, belts and old parts of backpacks. I am still amazed I survived long enough to see the need for a real harness.
I still have this 8 laying around somewhere, and I'll try to get some pictures of the homebrew gear when I get my camera back. I still do not recommend trying to make your own technical climbing equipment. yes, it is possible to weld a descending device up like I did, but when the real deal costs $15 at REI and is 100 times safer, you should just go the legitimate route and live longer.
Like a fiend with his dope / a drunkard his wine / a man will have lust for the lure of the mine
"If you are not part of the solution, you are not dissolved in the solvent." |
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Mark
Very Noble Donor
Location: South Carolina
Gender: Male
What is a lion, king of the savannah, when hes at the south pole?
| | Re: Anyone have a good idea for a home made rappelling device?
<Reply # 11 on 1/6/2004 9:13 PM >
| | | | Ahhh thanks for posting the shots of the caribeaners. I was looking for that. As for me joking? Not at all before I had the cash to have my own equipment. The army goes down on rapel rope that would make you cry. Its pre vetnam vintage stuff that never has been changed out I swear. Also I went to walmart got some boat line to make swiss seats before as well. Most people havent had the pleasure of a swiss seat and it doesnt matter what kind of rope you have for that as long as its static. Even dynamic rope will work.
I also have seen many climbers fuck up and use a descendor as a repel device. Or worse rapel on dynamic rope thats years old and terribly dirty. Thats more dangerous then using boat rope at times. SO using rigged crap is viable if your broke and cant get what you are looking for.
WOATWO if your looking for repel gear I can find you some great prices on static line. Cheaper then boat rope. Also your caribeaners are important to have quality ones. I may pick up a few here before I leave Ill see. Lastly how much do you know about rapeling? Are you brand new or what?
"If the threat level goes up its probably because of me." "I am looking for a girl who enjoys headbutting beltbuckles" |
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Caput_58
Location: Virginia, USA
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Anyone have a good idea for a home made rappelling device?
<Reply # 12 on 1/6/2004 10:53 PM >
| | | |
Ya, military rappel technique only makes sense if people are shooting at you. 'biner wraps work, but dirty rope will wear grooves in Al carabiners. Actually, dirty rope wear pretty good grooves in 8's as well. Maybe sometime I'll take a picture of my old one. You can get steel eights, but they're costly and make for a rather slick rappel.
Harnesses are another matter.. If you're competent at stitching, its not that hard to make a good harness from webbing. Me, I'd just tie some sort of seat, rather than stitch it up permanently... that way, you can keep using the webbing as a handline or what not.
Static line is entirely superior to dynamic rope for 90% of UE rope work. Its cheaper, tougher, and less nauseating to rappel/ascend on... Lead climbing is really the only good use for dynamic line.
Caput_58
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Mark
Very Noble Donor
Location: South Carolina
Gender: Male
What is a lion, king of the savannah, when hes at the south pole?
| | Re: Anyone have a good idea for a home made rappelling device?
<Reply # 13 on 1/7/2004 12:32 AM >
| | | | NOOO DONT STITCH or at least untill you know what your doing. Stitching strap requires two things strong strong and the right needle. You can use pointed ones they break fibers and totally destroy the strength of the webing. You need a round tip point (I know oxy moron). Also I sugest a good sowing machine which you maybe able to rent. Ask someone at a fabric store about needle points etc. Or ask me I know some stuff about it.
"If the threat level goes up its probably because of me." "I am looking for a girl who enjoys headbutting beltbuckles" |
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DarkTreader
Gender: Male
| | Re: Anyone have a good idea for a home made rappelling device?
<Reply # 14 on 1/7/2004 3:39 AM >
| | | | If you're going to stitch at home, you're gonna want to make sure that you secure it in multiple layers. As Mark said, use a round tip needle (or a needle with the tip clipped off works well also) and slip it between the fibers of the webbing, rather than punching a hole through them. As for string, I'd advise using something like sinew or, if absolutely necessary, parachute cord.
On -ANY- stitch that you make, make sure you double up the webbing before stitching it.
Example (if my ascii art holds up):
|==!=======!=============== <= Strap being stitched
|==!=======!==|
---!---------!------------------- <= Mainline strap
Also, if you look at most webbing stitches, they're done a specific way: an X inside of a square. Mark a square or rectangle 1/4" from the ouside of the strapping - this is your boundary. DO NOT CROSS THIS LINE!
Draw your X inside this box, then do your first stitches across that X that you just drew. Make DAMN sure that this is tight, but not too tight - you don't want to stretch the stitches to the point where the cut the webbing.
After the X is done, begin stitching out the square - do this just a hair inside of that 1/4" square that you drew at the beginning.
Now, I'm not saying that doing it this way is perfect, or will be even marginally close to a store-bought rig. But, if you absolutely want to try and make your own, this process of stitching will at least make sure that you're not going to kill yourself in your first couple of uses.
[last edit 1/7/2004 3:40 AM by DarkTreader - edited 1 times]
Losers go home... winners go home and fuck the prom queen |
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Mark
Very Noble Donor
Location: South Carolina
Gender: Male
What is a lion, king of the savannah, when hes at the south pole?
| | Re: Anyone have a good idea for a home made rappelling device?
<Reply # 15 on 1/7/2004 3:53 AM >
| | | | beat me to the post thanks for such good info.
"If the threat level goes up its probably because of me." "I am looking for a girl who enjoys headbutting beltbuckles" |
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ichitect
| | Re: Anyone have a good idea for a home made rappelling device?
<Reply # 16 on 1/15/2004 4:03 PM >
| | | | If you're on a budget or want to travel light, go with the Swiss Seat, US Army-style. But be warned: the first time you screw up tying it and find yourself dangling upside down with your testicles pinched into your ass crack, that $40 harness at your friendly neighborhood outfitter suddenly won't seem so expensive after all... All in all, unless you have proper training I do not recommened rappelling without proper equipment.
If you still want to skimp it, all you need are some decently thick leather gloves (gardening/work gloves from Home Depot will work for light applications), a locking carabiner (i don't suggest the kind you find at hardware stores for this, as the spring mechanisms usually have sharp angles on the locking end that catch when you're clipping them on, fraying your tope), and some real, rated, moderately expensive rapelling rope. You don't want climbing rope, as it is designed to stretch, whereas rappeling rope should remain pretty taut.
You should be able to find information on tying Swiss Seats online... I'll dig through my Field Manuals and see what I can find. They're easy to tie, though, and only require about 6' of rope.
Hooah!
[last edit 1/15/2004 4:04 PM by ichitect - edited 1 times]
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Grozny
Location: USA
Gender: Male
| | Re: Anyone have a good idea for a home made rappelling device?
<Reply # 17 on 1/15/2004 4:43 PM >
| | | | If you tie a Swiss seat correctly, it will not pinch badly at all (though once I made a seat using 550 cord for an emergency rappel-that sucked). It will also keep you safe even if you go inverted. Biner wraps are just fine provided you make the loop from the standing end of the rope. Otherwise you get the infamous "death loop" and you will plummet to your death when you put a load on the biner. There have been many deaths in the military due to that, and that's why we rewrote the manual some time ago. Fastroping is fun and not so technical But you must still learn all the knots and rappel out of helos at air assault school. Use 7/16 in. rope to make your seat. Make sure to do your safety knots on each side of the square knot. Stuff the excess rope in your pocket.
You can argue forever about the various ways to rig for rappel. Doubling up on ropes, one rope, Aussie style, this that and the other thing. Do what YOU are comfortable with and forget everyone else. Just make sure you are proficient in your chosen method.
Dynamic rope sucks to rappel on as mentioned above. That stuff is for shock loading, such as when a climber screws up and takes a fall.
The army taught me on the nylon braid junk (the technical name is for some reason escaping me at the moment) but I'd cough up the extra money and get the kermantle. Ropes get dirty (especially when people step on them-grrr) and with kermantle you can just throw it in your washing machine. With the braided rope, sand and all sorts of abrasives can get in the weave and wear down your rope, so if you do use that stuff make sure you inspect regularly. Every ten feet or less, break the weave and look inside the rope for wear.
Keep a rope log (every time the rope is shock loaded, the type of weather, the weights it was subjected to, etc.).
Inspect your biners by running your fingers along the inside and out, feeling for burrs. Check the gate to make sure it springs back on it's own. Burrs in the biner will hurt your rope and significantly reduce the biner's working load.
Having a person on belay is always a good idea. I don't care how much experience you have, you can still make a wrong step.
Safety first, especially when OTHER PEOPLE are on YOUR equipment. "He who ties it trys it". Ultimately, I, nor anyone else, really cares if an individual decides to make a homemade device. Your life. But don't endanger others.
"I watched a snail crawl along the edge of a straight razor. That's my dream. That's my nightmare. Crawling, slithering, along the edge of a straight... razor... and surviving." -Col. Kurtz. |
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Grozny
Location: USA
Gender: Male
| | Re: Anyone have a good idea for a home made rappelling device?
<Reply # 18 on 1/15/2004 4:45 PM >
| | | | Oh yeah, if you want to know how to tie a swiss seat, PM me. Too lazy to write it out right now after that last post.
"I watched a snail crawl along the edge of a straight razor. That's my dream. That's my nightmare. Crawling, slithering, along the edge of a straight... razor... and surviving." -Col. Kurtz. |
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Parteimitglied
Location: Manitoba, Canada
| | Re: Anyone have a good idea for a home made rappelling device?
<Reply # 19 on 1/15/2004 9:30 PM >
| | | | If you plan on rappelling, then get a good harness. If rappelling is your "backup" plan then I suggest something like an emergency rappelling belt. This is used mostly for instructors, and really isn't that safe unless you've had a fair bit of experience. It is good for a emergency measure but not for frequent use.
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