DIY Epple hook

[Brocky]

A future project to try out sometime, not as strong as the above looks though, but a little cheaper, a roadside garbage extraction.

 

[Kandelero]

first impressions: so-so, although this has trial has already proved to me that hooking is awesome. I need to get some 3/8 kermantle to start doing full tree-to-tree transfers, but flicking a hook out accurately to a crotch for better positioning is super-handy and makes you feel like Spiderman. However, I can't recommend this aluminum drop-down bar profile to others. Although I have no technique yet, my sense is that the length between the bar hole for the shackle to the first bend is a little shorter than ideal. It's a subtle balance issue that determines how the hook grips and how it hangs from the shackle vertically. After trimming the free end back 2" the remaining hook hangs at a 45 -- too open to grip much of anything. So I epoxied a lead plug right under the bar hole and this corrected the hang 20 degrees, but the hook can still slip off a bit too easily if you are not perfectly oriented when beginning to tension the hook for straight shots to crotches/branches (although for hooking the branch below the target branch, it works just fine). Of course, it's a trade-off, as you want the thing to release unloaded. However, my sense is another 3/4 inch of straight shaft before the curve would make a world of difference, and the aluminum is too snappy to try re-bending (although I may try anyway with heat). Going with a steel bar end might allow for easier shaping, but tube is tough to bend without crimping, so the solid stock cut-out of the Captain posted above seems superior, but that's tool and stock dependent. But do hook yourself up with something, because they're the ticket. pics to come.

 

[Njdelaney]

A future project to try out sometime, not as strong as the above looks though, but a little cheaper, a roadside garbage extraction.
View attachment 75860

And you can age into this one hahahaha

 

[Kandelero]

first impressions: so-so, although this has trial has already proved to me that hooking is awesome. I need to get some 3/8 kermantle to start doing full tree-to-tree transfers, but flicking a hook out accurately to a crotch for better positioning is super-handy and makes you feel like Spiderman. However, I can't recommend this aluminum drop-down bar profile to others. Although I have no technique yet, my sense is that the length between the bar hole for the shackle to the first bend is a little shorter than ideal. It's a subtle balance issue that determines how the hook grips and how it hangs from the shackle vertically. After trimming the free end back 2" the remaining hook hangs at a 45 -- too open to grip much of anything. So I epoxied a lead plug right under the bar hole and this corrected the hang 20 degrees, but the hook can still slip off a bit too easily if you are not perfectly oriented when beginning to tension the hook for straight shots to crotches/branches (although for hooking the branch below the target branch, it works just fine). Of course, it's a trade-off, as you want the thing to release unloaded. However, my sense is another 3/4 inch of straight shaft before the curve would make a world of difference, and the aluminum is too snappy to try re-bending (although I may try anyway with heat). Going with a steel bar end might allow for easier shaping, but tube is tough to bend without crimping, so the solid stock cut-out of the Captain posted above seems superior, but that's tool and stock dependent. But do hook yourself up with something, because they're the ticket. below you can see the hang angle mentioned. Hooking a spar directly is 50/50 at best, and its futzy. Only tension keeps it on, but hooking a lower parallel branch is 100% and requires intentionally rotating the hook to get it off again. I will upgrade the line and shackle but otherwise this DIY is done.

View attachment 75894y

 

[Zebco Kid]

Hi everybody , haven't found a post on the web about making your own traversing hook so I made one.
Also find quite annoying that a bent pipe sells for 150 AUD !
It all costed me 9 AUD (all from the local hardwere store ) and 20 min of my time.
The bent pipe is just a big wall hook , it was the perfect size and bent , make sure you get a shackle that fits around the pipe.
I've already used it and works perfect !!

I dig the ingenuity. That max load listing is about 175 lbs. I think with my harness loaded, I'm over the limit.

ZK

 

[JMerritt]

That's awesome man! How much did you pay for the material and where did you get it ?

It was leftover material from akimbo parts. I doubt it would be more than $20 to get a piece of 1/2” from a scrap yard or machine shop scrap bin.