Handbuilt Ascender

Eric, that lower screw that is your stopper for the handles...did you partially tap that into the aluminum on the main base to keep it sturdy?
 
JTree said:
Nice prototype! I'm very impressed with the craftmanship, especially the cam.
If there was a top attachment point it could also be rigged as an over the shoulder knee ascender (like Derrick Martin does) when rope walking is feesable. That would replace one more piece of gear on the saddle.
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Thanks, JTree. The cam was a good piece of work. It was one of those things that makes you smile when you finish. It held rope well as shown in the photo, as long as the rope wasn't under load. I had to make it much more aggressive to set on the rope when I started climbing with it. I did this by creating more of a contoured face, and cutting fewer, but much deeper channels.
Very good ideas about the multi-purposing. I like that!
 
surveyor said:
Nice and compact, and the biner hole keeps everything as short as possible! like the wood on the handles too.
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Thanks, Gordon. It's funny, as I went looking around the shop for some nice wood, I stopped at a broken pallet and thought, "perfect!".
 
DSMc said:
Very nice indeed, Eric! You are a man of many talents.
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I actually just a kid, still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. LOL!

To be completely honest, whenever you post jewelry (climbing gear you've modified/enhanced) photos I feel inadequate as a human.
 
JontreeHI said:
Great stuff Eric, I too pass on my dbl handle ascender often because of the clutter. I will watch this one closely!
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I wish I could get one out to you, Jon. Since you made that statement, it sounds like you would use it, but that would have to stand the test of time. It would have to be a good enough piece of gear that you grabbed for it a majority of the time.
 
Yea, I've lived and died by the dbl hand ascender for a couple years. That cmi double expedition is a perfect piece, just large. I hang it from my saddle with a wire gate revolver, ready to go for three to one. I'm back on 12 mil line now, using more dsrt and just more redirects when climbing SRT so I'm relying less on the 3:1, but if I'm climbing very high or through some nasty brush, it's never far from my reach.
Keep me posted on your progress!
 
MikePowers321 said:
Eric, that lower screw that is your stopper for the handles...did you partially tap that into the aluminum on the main base to keep it sturdy?
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Funny you should ask that, Mike! I can't remember where that screw came from, but it was a long and sharp self tapping screw, and it felt like a nice piece of metal. I think it may have held a handle on the A pillar of an old Suburban. LOL! You know the kind of screw with a sharp flute at the point.

I made a pilot hole and ran it down in there with a screw driver, praying it wouldn't break. Once it was at the right depth for the handles to clear, I cut off the excess and flapped it smooth.

I envision a MUCH sexier way of mounting them, but I was just working with what I had at the time.
 
JontreeHI said:
Yea, I've lived and died by the dbl hand ascender for a couple years. That cmi double expedition is a perfect piece, just large. I hang it from my saddle with a wire gate revolver, ready to go for three to one. I'm back on 12 mil line now, using more dsrt and just more redirects when climbing SRT so I'm relying less on the 3:1, but if I'm climbing very high or through some nasty brush, it's never far from my reach.
Keep me posted on your progress!
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I think we're sailing similar ships, probably just different waters. I envision putting this on the higher angle of the two lines in DSRT, since there have been a few times where I felt so stable (being vectored in DSRT) and I went out too far to come back in easily. The 3:1 would allow me to trace a branch back in more easily in some cases, rather than going with the mid-air trapeze route back in....unless I do flips on the way in...then it's CLEARLY the route to take!:bailando:
 
Good job really nice piece of gear. Seem to be the best of both world , really compact as the Kong Futura but two handles as the ascent tree. When I see stuff like that , it make me feel like I'm not the only person ALWAYS thinking about tree climbing! I feel normal. Thank you for sharing , can't wait to see the upcoming upgrades!
 
flying french man said:
Good job really nice piece of gear. Seem to be the best of both world , really compact as the Kong Futura but two handles as the ascent tree. When I see stuff like that , it make me feel like I'm not the only person ALWAYS thinking about tree climbing! I feel normal. Thank you for sharing , can't wait to see the upcoming upgrades!
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Thanks very much, FFM! You are definitely NOT the only Tree-Head out there.
 
oceans said:
I think that's what Evo was getting at. Gonna have to make it out of Titanium!
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Right on! Didn't even see that post till now. It is a good idea. I have some ideas flowing. I might tinker later in the winter with some ideas. Eric, you really did an awesome job on that tool! More I look at it, more I am impressed.

In terms of the screw, if it were used like a grapple hook it would probable need some tweeking (I think). If it were loaded from only one side on a branch, it may pop that screw right out. It looks as if when both handles are loaded they work together and press that screw from both sides.
 
Oceans, this is a little cooler than your tether...which I thought was brilliant. The Clip N Step was Okay too...I guess. Obviously this is what I expect from a mind like yours. Really nice. I'm really impressed with that prototype too - it's not really that crude.
 
oceans said:
Ooooookkaaaaayyy...I'll melt it down and scrap it. LOL!
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No, no, no, don't scrap it. I want one.
It's just that you're too damned good at too many things! It's not fair.
I don't like you anymore. :) Kidding. I gotta a lotta luv for ya brotha.
Again, nice job.
 
MikePowers321 said:
If it were loaded from only one side on a branch, it may pop that screw right out. It looks as if when both handles are loaded they work together and press that screw from both sides.
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Yes, the idea was for each handle to share pressure on the pin, but it favors the left handle since the left stopper makes contact with the least amount of leverage on the pin (handle is flush with the body, not stepped like the R side). I did this with intent when thinking of a RADS, where you hold the ascender with the L hand and tail line with the R hand.

Yes, it would break for sure if used a grapple, but I never had the that thought of using it for that when building it. I mean come on...how many purposes can you expect outta this thing?!?!? LOL!
 
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