Singing Tree Rope Wrench

Country boy, thanx! I was thinking along the same lines, but right now the friction is too much. I'm just not sure if I should round the edges of the hole more or increase it's diameter. I'm thinking that diameter increase would be the wrong choice.

Any thots on this?

As for the discussion on laminates there is a potential problem with the polymer resin used for the glue.

That will certainly received friction heat and unless it is high-heat polymer it can melt and fuse to the rope while also exposing the wood laminate layers.

In theory, as the glue dissipates the laminate edges are exposed and depending on the thickness of the layers scraper or "knife" edges can result in abrasion.

If you have ever ran your hand on the raw edge of cracked fiberglass you get the picture.

If the glue has saturated the wood layers they may stay "sharp" longer.

I'm not suggesting that these edges will be "knife sharp" just that they will be relatively abrasive.

As for your basic wood Rope Wrench...If I recall my engineering correctly separation(splitting) happens more readily between rings rather than within rings. I may be wrong here but it was with that thought that I chose my hickory handle.

The hammer handle I used was quarter sawn and I made sure that the rings ran in the same direction the rope would run. I think that will solve, or reduce the wood failure problem. Will have to wait and see I guess.
 
too much friction is a good thing, just keep smoothing out your hole a little. I started drilling 3/8ths holes across the grain and glueing in some dowels to protect against possible splitting
 
If you don't want to steal treebing's idea, just PM him a pic of your invention. I did. I'm sure he would like to see his invention from the angles of as many other eyes as possible.
Yeah, I set my wrench before I begin to descend as well. I'm used to climbing on a VT so I am kind of used to making sure, quickly, that my friction causing device is set and holding. It becomes second nature pretty fast.
As far as the hole the rope passes through...I've started making these things every time I find a hammer handle laying around, or even just old hammers... It is really like an obsession I guess...anyway. I usually file, or sand the edges anyway, so if it runs tight, instead of drilling more, I usually sand or whittle a litte around the top far right side of the hole. I think this is where the most friction is being generated while descending.
 
Had some time last night so I decided to make a wrench, I don't think I put enough of an angle on the hole, the hitch will bind a little after a bit of climbing but it does work pretty darn good.
 

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another

I made it out of a hickory axe handle. I got the axe handle for $14 and should be able to get at least 2 maybe 3 wrench's out of it.

the hold was drilled with a 1/2' bit and a lot of filing and sanding...
 

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At the Charlotte I was introduced to the adjustable steel Rope Wrench. I'm sold but i have to buy a new rope to use it so I haven't sprung yet. Kevin took third in the very competitive masters on SRT.

The new one is considerably smaller than the wood version and is classic American high quality design and construction (it's made in Detroit). This is the kind of product that made America great.

I think this is a big evolutionary step for the RW and SRT. It can be reliably break tested and rated; the friction input can be adjusted and the compact size makes it fit into a climbing system much better.
I think making your own is very cool but if you have to satisfy your safety manager, the steel version will do the job.

I'm told it's available from Tree Stuff but I haven't seen it on their site yet.
 
When the steel version is available I will buy one, I like making my own however I believe in paying out for the invention and innovation that was not mine. Is the steel version mid line attach/detachable?
 
The current design for the Singing Tree Rope Wrench (ZK-1) is not mid line attachable, however, it does allow the climber to adjust the amount of friction they can apply. This ability to adjust the friction is very important as it allows a climber to fine tune the Wrench to their climbing line and hitch combination.

The mid line attachable prototypes currently being worked on do not allow for this adjustment just yet and I believe they will not be released until it can be made adjustable.

The Rope Wrenches will be made available to the public very shortly once the instructional videos are completed.
 
SINGING TREE ROPE WRENCH (TreeStuff)

[ QUOTE ]
This is the under-construction page for the Singing Tree Rope Wrench. The device itself will be officially available in May 2011. We have a limited quantity of wrenches available now.
Availability: In Stock
Price: $125.00

[/ QUOTE ]

277588-SingingTreeRopeWrench.jpg


As it says: "This is the under-construction page ..."! It might 'go-away' so look quick!!!
 

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How is friction adjusted? I am imagining a suspension cam bolt.

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Adjusting the length of the the tether changes the friction?
 
[ QUOTE ]
When the steel version is available I will buy one, I like making my own however I believe in paying out for the invention and innovation that was not mine. Is the steel version mid line attach/detachable?

[/ QUOTE ]

Could a Gibbs quick release pin be used in place of the top bolt? Would that make the Rope Wrench mid-line attachable?
 
There are several excelent ways to make the wrench mid-line attachable. I decided to go release the most fundamental simplest version that is the strongest and which involves no moving parts, extra components or reduces strength. That would be the ZK-1.
This model breaks at 6800 lbs and there are very few questions involved. (for example: the ball lock pins are not triple action) You ask, not being primary life support, does it matter? I don't really know. Likewise the swinging side cheek I have not made strong enough to withstand 5400 lbs. If its not primary life support does that matter? I don't know and neither does anyone else that I have talked to. The less questions the better when introducing a new product.

I wanted to start with being on the safe side and try to conform to all safety standards that I could, while still emphasizing that it is NOT for primary life support. As more people experience the rope wrench and understand its function than I will feel more comfortable releasing mid-line attachable models.

This is the ZK-1. In my opinion, it is the best, and simplest way to access the trees currently on the market. I also really wanted something to be available ASAP for people to experience a well made, solid, rope wrench.
 
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