DMM throw hook.

monkeylove · Dec 10, 2016

I actually run a Zillion on my hook. I've also come to the realization that I own to much stuff. My goal after the holidays is to address that and only keep what I use on a consistent basis. Admitting you are a gear addict is the first step, lol.

treegongfu · Dec 10, 2016

I copied Gordon's idea and made my own.

It works well in practice on a variety of ropes and comes to a teeth rattling stop on safari.

I'm going to field test it on a large ash removal on Monday.

moss · Dec 10, 2016

colb said:
He was on a single line traverse where the line tail was secured in a portawrap after going over a branch in the second tree.

Ohhh... Yeah, wrench doesn't work for that ;-) Runner does.

moss · Dec 10, 2016

Brocky said:
One way to descend is to grab above the hitch with one hand and pull to take weight off of the hitch. Grabbing above engages your body weight instead of just using arm strength if you grab below the hitch. Keep squeezing with your left hand as you go down so the hitch doesn't bind up again. I save a little wear on my grippy gloves by grabbing a cordura nylon cambium/friction saver that I use on my lanyard.

Yes! The human arm wrench and tether! You can also footlock the tail, open your feet up a little and use it in descent mode as you work the hitch, tricky, takes practice but works especially for the short moves likely on the hook.

Tuebor · Dec 13, 2016

The basic dimensions are on the DMM website, but the best design feature is how well it is weighted and shaped to both capture limbs and easily release and retrieve from unintentional targets. That will be the hardest part to duplicate.

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

Brocky · Dec 13, 2016

I was going to suggest copying the Epple Hook and googled it and found this as well

moss · Dec 13, 2016

Tuebor said:
The basic dimensions are on the DMM website, but the best design feature is how well it is weighted and shaped to both capture limbs and easily release and retrieve from unintentional targets. That will be the hardest part to duplicate.

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

Yep, the profile of the hook (varies over the entire length of it) and weight distribution are critical to the functionality, specifically the way it flips down and hooks when you pull it slowly over a limb, or the way it does not rotate and grab if you pull it quickly. Genius design. -AJ

Tuebor · Dec 23, 2016

Saw this video today on the Facebook. Taylor Hamel making it look easy. Right at the start, he points out how its shape makes it self-orientating, which is the biggest challenge to making your own. Can't find a direct link to the video so you have to go through FB:

Captain Hook

Brocky · Dec 23, 2016

Thanks Tuebor, I didn't know about the overhand throw to release it. Can't wait to try it out.

Steve Connally · Dec 23, 2016

Overhand throw was slick. I carry mine on crane jobs with the little crane for those nasty limb walks.

Dragonslayer · Dec 24, 2016

Can't get the TreeStuff link to copy but the "Steel locking ladder snap" with the tip cut off and the gate and lock removed makes a very nice throwing hook. A half inch narrower throat than the Captain and quite a bit heavier but very strong and a LOT cheaper. I'll try and post a pic of mine tomorrow.

Dragonslayer · Dec 24, 2016

Here's my hook made from the ladder snap. Works best with a quick link and a spliced eye in your rope.

Brocky · Dec 24, 2016

Nice thinking Dragonslayer. I thought about that before the Hook came out but didn't follow up on it. Recently on roll deck tow trucks I've been seeing large steel hooks that are used to hold the cars that would make heavy duty throw hooks.

TimBr · Dec 24, 2016

Dragonslayer said:
Here's my hook made from the ladder snap. Works best with a quick link and a spliced eye in your rope.

Hey, Dragonslayer! Great post! Welcome to the TreeBuzz forum! I think you're going to like it here.

One question on my part; is the ladder snap something you have to scavenge off of a ladder that's being taken out of service, or are you able to acquire it independantly in some way?

Thanks in advance for any answer you choose to provide.

Tim

Simpleiowaguy · Dec 24, 2016

TimBr said:
Hey, Dragonslayer! Great post! Welcome to the TreeBuzz forum! I think you're going to like it here.

One question on my part; is the ladder snap something you have to scavenge off of a ladder that's being taken out of service, or are you able to acquire it independantly in some way?

Thanks in advance for any answer you choose to provide.

Tim

Ladder snap is just the name for it TimBr. It is actually a snap that is big enough to hook ladder rungs for industrial applications. Many tower climbers and other trades use them. Treestuff carries them.

http://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?category_id=15&item=1409

Dragonslayer · Dec 24, 2016

Thanks Tim! That's it Simple. I got some freebies off a couple of old tower lanyards. Just grind the rivet heads off, tap them out with a punch and the gate and lock fall off. Cut the tip off, grind off a point on the inside of the throat near the eye to make everything smooth and you're in business.

TimBr · Dec 25, 2016

Simpleiowaguy said:
Ladder snap is just the name for it TimBr. It is actually a snap that is big enough to hook ladder rungs for industrial applications. Many tower climbers and other trades use them. Treestuff carries them.

http://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?category_id=15&item=1409

Ha! That is funny. It's one of those deals where you use something fairly often but never bother to ask what it's called. Thanks for the link to the product. I love that kind of snap on a safety harness, as it gives you so many more options for tying off. Great idea for an inexpensive throw hook.

Tim

Merle Nelson · Dec 25, 2016

That is an ingenious idea. And, I can see early in my career having wanted to make a hook that simply and cheaply.

Having used "The Captain" I am just amazed at how I was able to use it to good effect right off the bat. Not because I was especially good at throwing it but, for reasons recently stated here, it makes up for all my miss throws etc. I can get it to not hook when I want to to not, to unhook and drop down to a lower limb when I am amazed that it would....I love that thing and am glad I paid the higher price for it.

Anyone who is ever around one and able to play with it for free I would heartily recommend it.

Merle Nelson · Apr 9, 2017

The "Captain" has been out for quite a while and is not the newest shinny tool on the market anymore. But if you haven't personally used one you owe it to yourself and your work production to check it out in some way.

I keep all my tools in a shipping container and look at my tool list each day for what to load for that particular job. My Captain Hook kit sits on a shelf above my climbing gear and after loading all of the other tools for the day I took one last look at the kit - nah, I won't need it.

I was doing view trimming on the tops of fourteen small Cypress trees near the ocean. I wasn't sure I would have much use for my climb line let alone the hook. What I didn't take into account was the hand full of limbs that were on the off side from the house and were too long were longer than I remembered. And then there were more that I thought should be reduced to prevent future breakage.... All in all leaving the Captain home probably added an hour to that day and made me work a lot harder to do a great job.