I am removing the SAKA from the market.

treebing · Feb 27, 2018

pictures? I wonder if you could get the recoil spring from a small chainsaw to work.

Tree-Taylor · Feb 27, 2018

Brocky said:
It has to have a strong spring to rapidly take in bungee cord. I couldn't get it to work, the bungee would be contracted before the tape measure could pull it inside. I didn't go much farther with it as the Belly Bound idea came up.

What's the advantage of using a bungee cord in this configuration? Would the bungee not put extra load on the spring reducing it's ability to retract?

Tree-Taylor · Feb 27, 2018

frankiek3 said:
I'm lucky enough to have gotten a Saka last year shortly after I started tree climbing. Works well and doesn't get in the way.

I read the Haas patent and it appears to me the only claim that could possibly overlap is that 'a hollow core' with elastic inside is used. Many of the claims are trival rendering them invaild. Like Claim 7 "...further comprising a means for
attaching the free end of the elastic cord to a harness" Who wouldn't think of clipping the bungee cord in? Also sounds like a kernmantle rope that has its Kern as the load bearer with an elastic Mantle longer than the Kern, but both products use a tube/hose to sheath the elastic that is further covered.

Question:
Would using an elastic pull reel (similar to what a keychain or ID badge clip uses) preserve the benefits of the longer elastic? If so I claim it
Example:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00TS3UT42/

It should be noted that making your own Haas or Saka the same as the production items would also violate their respective patents if used for commercial use.

Edit:
Food for thought, my various Weaver bags have all worn quickly (but their leather products haven't).

They make a 20oz version as well. Doubled up maybe?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01C...EPAJB2V1F3XJZ6PC&dpPl=1&dpID=61u1+XR6HKL&th=1

Brocky · Feb 27, 2018

What do want a picture of, @treebing ? If it's the tape measure, that's all it is with a hole in the bottom, I'm not sure if I still have it. If it's the Belly Bound, let me know.
The problem might not be the spring strength, but the speed which the cord can enter the tape measure. When it's a tape measure, the tape enters and lays on top of itself. With a cord, it has to spread across the space available on the spool, and might just stack in one spot and jam. This spreading out action might slow down retrieval. If it had a larger, narrow, cord diameter, spool the cord might feed in faster.

The theory of using bungee cord with the tape was they would work together to bring up the ascender. I not sure the bungee would restrict the spring once the load was removed.

surveyor · Feb 27, 2018

In surveying, they sell a retractable plumb bob cord in a "gammon reel" it can be bought in two different lengths.

theatertech87 · Feb 28, 2018

Brocky said:
It has to have a strong spring to rapidly take in bungee cord. I couldn't get it to work, the bungee would be contracted before the tape measure could pull it inside. I didn't go much farther with it as the Belly Bound idea came up.

Chainsaw recoil?

treebing · Feb 28, 2018

pictures of the belly bound

JMerritt · Feb 28, 2018

i played around with one of those key chain recoil gizmos for a bit. it worked ok, spring wasn't strong enough and i couldn't find one with a long enough string or strong enough casing to attach to. they have one at my local hardware that is spooled with Kevlar string, so string strength isn't an issue.

Marsupilaami · Feb 28, 2018

treebing, I found this on another forum, it is the Brocky's BBBBBBBBBBBBB.
Neat.

Tom Dunlap · Feb 28, 2018

Look for 'tool balancers'

A step up the ladder from key chain retractors

I saw some with 10-15# lifts for around $20

FreeFallin · Feb 28, 2018

FYI - On my SAKA, the current dyneema bungee provides 5-7# of pull and extends 13 inches to give me a full step.

Burrapeg · Feb 28, 2018

FreeFallin said:
FYI - On my SAKA, the current dyneema bungee provides 5-7# of pull and extends 13 inches to give me a full step.

I hope there are no Weaver moles lurking here.

FreeFallin · Feb 28, 2018

Hey, i'm just sharing random construction facts about a piece of gear I own. I'm certainly not trying to inspire anyone to think creatively about that construction. I'm just random fact guy. :burlas:

Brocky · Feb 28, 2018

Here's some additional pictures

The second picture shows when not in use, the fourth shows the pulley toggled to the other side for use.

Marsupilaami · Feb 28, 2018

Why are there two bungies? I have an 11mm bungy that would be more than strong enough for this I believe. Is there some property of bungies that scales poorly, or is it due to availability only? The good ones come in this size only, type of thing?

Brocky · Feb 28, 2018

The bungee is a solid core with a polyester cover. I got it from West Marine. Richard uses a dyneema covered solid core that probably slides better in the tubing than the poly, although the poly does fully engage in my set up.

There's no other thread about it, it just takes a suitable harness for the tubes. Start with the two tubes and place a rubber grommet on each side of the connection point, a strap or loop, and secure with either an o ring or accessory cord.

Once the tubes are on, half the bungee,insert into dbl sheave pulley, then into tubes to other end. At first I took the two ends and just tied them together and the knot was pushing on the tubes, slowly moving them. I now tie off on the side dee ring, and there's no movement.

An alternative method of attaching the tubes would be to sew small sections of tubular webbing, that the tubes would fit into, onto the harness. If the webbing were sewn tight on the tubes, the grommets wouldn't be needed.