Triangular Configuration of Conventional Gaffs

Where else yu gonna learn that gaffs are life support gear guys?

Now I gotta test them for a 5K lb climber!

Who woulda thunk?

Thanks for the humor guys!

jomoco
 
I was serious about the gouge not the bear. Picture the 1/2 round gouge with the right complex bevel. An Inuit ulu knife style would be intersting to try. Experts only!
 
I'm thinking that a threaded round rod could be lengthened as the gaffs get progressively shorter from sharpening?

jomoco
 
Nah, I'm in way over my head!

Jomoco
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Is there a weight rating for Geckos?

Hope its 111kg cause I weigh the good part of 110kg...no dramas thus far and that is with over 2 years climbing in them.
 
A round rod sharpened like pencil wont work cause the top of the bevel will push against the tree before the sharp end sticks in adequatley, thus tearing out the spike before it is set properly.

Jomoco, just shell out for some Geckos, you cheapskate, and you will never look back!!
 
Jomoco,
I'm not sure you need new spikes. I've never used the geckos, or spent a ton of time on spikes like some of you guys but I thought I'd offer some advice before you buy a new set.

You mentioned that you keep your gaffs razor sharp. This could be part of the problem. If you gaffs are too sharp they will act like a chisel, initiating the tear you're talking about. I'm thinking you want them to part the wood fibers rather than sever them which would lead to a blow out like you've described. Also, do you have too steep an angle on the bottom surface of the gaff? This could direct the force on the point of the spike outward rather than downward, again, like a chisel.

Just some food for thought.
 
Weight limit is 240 lbs (108.9 kg) including gear. If you weigh 240 without gear, that's just over the edge according to the specs. Guess it's something to consider.
 
[ QUOTE ]
A round rod sharpened like pencil wont work cause the top of the bevel will push against the tree before the sharp end sticks in adequatley, thus tearing out the spike before it is set properly.

Jomoco, just shell out for some Geckos, you cheapskate, and you will never look back!!

[/ QUOTE ]

You.....dirty rat......

Gunna do this thing........see?

And nothin you....and yu dirty rat friends say here........can stop me....see?

Yeah!

jomoco
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Like your enthusiasm!

But I will be surprised if it works,for two reasons:

1. The closest edge of the spike to the tree (which is to be spiked) is the bevelled edge, so it will push away the sharp bit before spike has done its job.

2. On all brands of climbing spurs there is a great big build up of supporting steel on the spike(were it attaches to the shank).I'd say that there is a reason for this and suggest your measly little pencil spike might bend quite easily out of whack,unless you are re-enforcing the attachment point.

PS. Geckos are so good!!
 
I THINK that the angle that you want to follow is the outside of the spike not the inside. The way you have the new spike positioned will have your foot quite a ways out from the tree. The force of the load is cantilevered not pushing down and into the trunk.
 
jomoco,

Now that you've got your test mules, could you not just toss out everything you know about sharpening gaffs, get out a double-cut barstid file, round the sides of those things over, then get out on a limb and literally see what gives?

You wouldn't get them to a perfectly circular point, but you could get an oval point with no sharp edges, which would let you see if your theory is at least on the right track.

Northwind
 
You're right Northwind, and I'll eventually do and document just that.

My problem is each time I start a proof of theory project in my garage, it soon morphs into a better embodiment of the original idea. From better gaff setting ability at acute angles, to sure footedness at almost any angle.

It drives me crazy, gets far more complicated, have to go begging my older brother for mill and lathe time, springs gizmos, I'm drownin here guys!

jomoco
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This will be my third online inspired invention. But unlike the Cabling Alignment Tubes and their minuscule market, these new gaffs of mine will have a much broader market.

These new gaffs will never gaff out in healthy wood, which is why they'll be pricey but well worth the cost.

You guys will love these gaffs so much you'll never go back to conventional gaffs once you understand just how superior their purchase to the wood is at dang near any angle.

Lots of moving parts is the only drawback they have other than the horrendous thought of gaffing yourself with a pair of these on.

Stay tuned for pics of version one. Version two will be the best seller though hands down.

jomoco
 
It's strange how the inventive process forms in your mind as an after thought, then gets triggered by a convenient set of circumstances that allows it to be be prototyped and tested to confirm your theory.

It was while my titanium Bucks were torn apart with nothing but the titanium shanks there, that I slid them into 3 foot long tubes and thought again for the hundredth time about gaffless palm climbers that cinch the trunk, allowing you to stand up on that leg, then raise the other cinch tube and repeat in that sequence, up a skinny peeled palm tree without damaging it.

I built it today, it seems to work exactly as I envisioned it would, but more rigorous testing is called for!

I keep thinking an even skinnier version of these cinch tubes in the 3-5 inch diameter range could be mighty handy in certain hardwood pruning situations as well. Which leads me to think a free swiveling shorter version would be nice on both vertical and lateral leaders.

So I'm trying to make up for building such a wickedly damaging to the tree set of gaffs, by building a handy non harmful to the tree pair of cinch tubes!

I'm naming my new any angle wicked gaffs Innoculators. While my kinder nonharmful gaffs will be stepping cinch tubes, with which you could climb a skinny steel flag pole, telephone pole, etc.

Watson, they work!

Now what? Hawaii?

jomoco
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Look for coconut climbers...there are some really ingenious climbers made in India. Sounds like what you're prototyping...along the lines of a horizontal oil filter wrench mechanism...or a chain brake on a saw.
 
Yes, spring loaded collars and tubes in the open position until body weight extends the tubes and tightens the collar.

Prototyped with PVC tubes. But a production run needs aluminum and fiberglass with steel bearings and pullies, and genuine rubber rather than springs.

Should be a blast as well as fairly durable.

jomoco
 
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