ZK2 wrench tether v4

[moss]

Here are production details of a new version of my basic Whipple style two-legged tether. Similar to Ocean's spliced design this sewn NE Ropes tech cord tether is designed to provide balanced attachment to a Hitch Climber pulley. Goal of this design was to drastically reduce production time. I'm only sewing the eyes, previous versions were heavily sewn throughout the length of the tether which took a really long time. Sewing time is now 30 minutes, a huge improvement. Also beefed up the shrink tubing on the legs to two layers to make up for less sewing though the entire length of the legs.

ZK2 tether v4

-AJ

 

[Bixler]

Very neat photos moss. Does the tether slide over branches easily?

 

[oceans]

That looks so much like the first one I built, before using HRC core. I think Jeff L has it.

 

[surveyor]

Looks good Moss. You can make a regular tether with two tied, cinching eyes on one end, and a single loop for the RW on the other end, by forming a loop with a doubled fishermans knot, but before you pull the knots tight together, slip one end of the loop between the two knots, then pull the opposing knots tight onto this. This will make a loop on one end and two cinching loops for the biner end.

 

[Richard Mumford-yoyoman]

Looks fantastic! Thanks for the great description and photos.
I have been wondering about that shrink tubing, does your local electric supply sell it or will I find it on line?
What do you estimate the cost?
WELL DONE. I'm learning to expect nothing less from your work.

 

[moss]

[ QUOTE ]
That looks so much like the first one I built, before using HRC core. I think Jeff L has it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Convergent evolution!
-AJ

 

[moss]

[ QUOTE ]
Very neat photos moss. Does the tether slide over branches easily?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, pretty much all of the well-made tethers out there do.
-AJ

 

[moss]

[ QUOTE ]

I have been wondering about that shrink tubing, does your local electric supply sell it or will I find it on line?
What do you estimate the cost?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm using two flavors of Raychem shrink tubing, the heavy stuff is Raychem WCSM, with heat triggered adhesive on the inside. The lighter stuff on the tether legs doesn't have adhesive (and doesn't need it). I picked it up at Home Depot. I'm trying to match the spec at McMaster-Carr so I can buy it in longer lengths than what's available at HD, haven't quite got it figured out yet.
-AJ

 

[bonner1040]

What kind of camera do you us AJ?

Great photos.

The only thing I would change on the tether is instal the heat shrink on the single legs 1st then install the second so it overlaps them with no visible seam.

 

[moss]

[ QUOTE ]
What kind of camera do you us AJ?

Great photos.

The only thing I would change on the tether is instal the heat shrink on the single legs 1st then install the second so it overlaps them with no visible seam.

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Thanks, just an iPhone, does pretty decent macro if you hold it steady. iPhone is kind of ruining my photography (not really) because I too often grab it instead of my digital SLR which captures much higher quality images.

Not sure what you mean about seam but no bigee. I shrink tube the small legs first and then overlap with the heavier tubing on the main tether section. The "collar" is added as a top layer where the legs join the main tether to add extra rigidity for that area.
-AJ

 

[islandarb]

[ QUOTE ]
What kind of camera do you us AJ?

Great photos.

The only thing I would change on the tether is instal the heat shrink on the single legs 1st then install the second so it overlaps them with no visible seam.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey Nick you want seemless, Whipple Tether from Luke at Treestuff....

Eric made the two for me personally but you can pick one up for $40 from Luke....

I added the extra shrinkwrap down by the hitch climber to keep the bottom legs from getting floppy and the hug the HC...

Neat tidy and super seamless, this is artwork IMHO....very stiff too...moreso that the ABR....again just my opinion and taking nothing away from Rich whose tether I have been climbing on from the time I got the ZK 2, it works great I am now liking this setup better.....

 

[islandarb]

Pic two from a different angle...

 

[oceans]

That extra shrink looks great Paul. How much comm$$ion are you looking for?

 

[islandarb]

[ QUOTE ]
That extra shrink looks great Paul. How much comm$$ion are you looking for?

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Now Eric would I want commi$$ion from my good buddy, a good frienship is worth way more than $'ssss.......

 

[moss]

Nice Swingdude, the extra "skirt" really tightens things up.
-AJ

 

[islandarb]

[ QUOTE ]
Nice Swingdude, the extra "skirt" really tightens things up.
-AJ

[/ QUOTE ]

True dat Moss, it makes a difference no slop now....

a small fix an easy do it yourself job, 10 mins max no biggie......

 

[JeffL]

Eric you gave me the hog ring version. I just made my own hrc core version a few weeks back. Loving it!

 

[islandarb]

Jeff, nice ya got one going, but excuse my ignorance but what is a hog ring version????

 

[oceans]

Since the RW isn't life support, I felt OK with making a trial version with Maxim 5mm tech cord, locking the eyes together with hog rings.

Hog rings are commonly used in the commercial fishing industry for trap construction, or creating bait bags out of tubular netting by cinching one end. They look like a tiny letter 'C', and when grabbed with special pliers, they can be bent into an 'O', as the ends bypass each other.

I made the tether with 4 or 5 hog rings on each eye, alternating the orientation as I worked away from the eye. I covered it all with electrical tape a shrink tubing to finish.

 

[Richard Mumford-yoyoman]

[ QUOTE ]
....
I made the tether with 4 or 5 hog rings on each eye, alternating the orientation as I worked away from the eye. I covered it all with electrical tape a shrink tubing to finish.

[/ QUOTE ]

Can you post a pic, I would like to see that.

Thanks