There was some discussion in the other threads regarding the knee ascender and using a retracting reel. I definitely think it is the way to go at this point. Experimented with the Gammon reel per surveyors thoughts, but they were too weak unless I stacked three of them together. I then found a tool reel online that is designed for two lbs of lift. I wrapped it in foam packing to protect the plastic and its good to go. It really is compact. I put the real on my chest harness and run it to the ascender and its off to the races. So far I can see nothing really wrong with the set up and a lot of advantages over the bungee method. The main being I can take really high steps and also it is very adjustable and it is very compact. I have been using this one for the last few weeks and see no real downside yet.
http://almarkenterprises.com/product/ml4575-10-force-20-lbs-length-42-inches/ this is the reel I have found that works really well. two stacked together makes it really zippy and will lift my croll better. But this old raggedy pantin has so little drag that only one is necessary to move quite quickly.
the tether to the foot loop is 4 strands of braided throw line with a turks head at the end. It is very easily adjustable just using a classic brummel. the foot loop is the amazing foot loop from the SAKA and that can almost stay on my foot the entire climb although it has fallen off a few times because the elastic is worn. I just ordered a new one but haven't used it yet.
the Gammon reel was a great suggestion by Surveyor and I have found that they are great for a hansaw reel and a my pocket wedge. Great little reel but not very efficient or fast enough for the knee ascender
I like it! Have you thought about contacting a company that manufactures these spring reels to see what it would take to make a small one with enough force to drag the ascender up the rope? I think I have an old business card around from a company that works with these reels, I will see if I can find it and pass it on if interested. I can't remember the name of the top of my head.....
this one drags up the ascender just fine. It is about as small and light as I could imagine really. I clip it to my bra and hardly notice its there.
the allmark reel is stout. the gammon reel is not so much. there is quite a difference in ascender drag too. this old pantin is faster than the croll, c.t., or SAKA ascender. I'd like to try the camp because it is small. you only need a foot ascender with this. a chest ascender I think is unnecessary bulk.
the allmark is meant to be wall mounted so its got a square mounting plate that you could shave off to make the appearance smaller. but the hole is handy to clip your micro biner or my nite ize clips so I chose not to shave it off but the spring and coil is only 1 3/4 inch diameter. the string is stainless steel. one of the problems with the gammon was too light of a string. you want something a little hefty.
They say on the product info they can make them stronger and longer if needed. I wonder if a 3# would be a best for a basic or croll type ascender
it might, but I think that just selecting a better ascender with less drag and bulk is the way to go. this does pull the croll and the ct up the rope but it could use some more zip. two strapped together is not really that bulky and it flys anything up the rope.
I think I am going to remove the niteize link from the retractor to the pantin. this will make it a little tighter. I haven't felt any need to unclip them from each other so its unnecessary.
The gammon reel comes in two string lengths, 6' and 12', I would say the spring strength is about the same in both, but I prefer the somewhat smoother action of the 12'
yes the 12 is a bit stronger action too. but still not enough to pull up the ascender. before I got the allmark reel I tried a number of things. two 12 footers together works. it takes 3 6 footers. the string is delicate too so I he swapped out for throw line. but this 2 pound allmark reel is all it takes. the body is a bit fragile so protective foam wrapping I think is a must.
these are two that I made with gammon reels. one is three the other four. these are the six footers. one of the nice things about the gammon reels is they are very sturdy plastic. the allmark is lighter duty plastic. these are much bulkier than the allmark. but these do work well too.
I think this forum has some some of the smartest and most creative people I have never meet, and the ones I have met are smart and creative as well.
the allmark has an open back and I did use a piece of the gammon to cap it. ill try that though I think I think the reel would fit right in that casing.
