Practice anchors install (w/ pictures!)

[devnull]

Okay, I did a thing.

Yesterday I briefly outlined my plans to build a set of practice anchors in my garage.

After a quick trip to the hardware store, I got what I needed and as promised, here are some progress pics and the final result.

Some notes

• The initial plan was to use tee nuts or threaded inserts, but I wasn't able to easily get those, so the fallback was to use regular nuts and to drill a recess into the back of the board so they'd sit flush.
• There was some splintering the first time I tried to use a spade bit. Practice makes perfect!
• I expected the studs in my garage to be 16 inches apart, but they were 21.5 inches. Measure twice, cut once!
• I was today years old when I discovered a 2x4 is not 2 inches by 4 inches.

Cost breakdown (Canadian dollars):

• Fixe 316 SS Bolt Hanger 1/2" (MEC, $2.93 apiece)
• Camp 8mm Oval Steel Quicklink (MEC, $4.95 apiece)
• 1" spade bit ($8.98)
• 1/2" threaded bolt ($3.85 apiece)
• 1/2" nut ($0.26 apiece)
• Free/on-hand items:
  • Scrap wood (2x4)
  • Power drill and drill bits
  • Adjustable wrench and socket wrench
  • Deck screws
• Total: $32.96 CAD

[bean]

Sweet! Have you tested it at all yet? Do you see any flex of you try to hang from it?

Another idea might be just a piece of 2x4 screwed lower to the ground to act as a foothold while you're "on" the anchors

[martinsnygg@infosec.exchange]

@devnull I got that on my to-do-list… One day it actually might happen I got inspired by the SkillzBoard https://skillzboard.com

[rayko@mastodon.raykoworld.com]

@devnull I would recommend adding washers to those nuts to prevent them from digging into the wood over time, and 4 screws on the corners to prevent the board rocking when loaded/unloaded.

Not the typical reunion but I guess it works for simple practice.

I would tottally do something like that if I was allowed to in any case.

This is how it starts, and it ends with a climbable wall in the garage xD It's a matter of time.

[devnull]

@rayko@mastodon.raykoworld.com ah that's good advice! Ironically the weakest part of this board is the actual attachment to the studs.

I need to buy longer screws and put four more. That'll be "super good enough" hopefully, as a certain someone says.

@bean no flex, although I also haven't fully weighted the board just yet. I've only practiced a top belay setup so far.

[devnull]

@martinsnygg@infosec.exchange

SkillzBoard

Ha! Yeah I did see this before too. It was probably also where the idea first took hold in my head.

I put in two hangers but I think eventually I'll have to add a third when testing more esoteric three-piece setups

Maybe I'll build a little crack to hold a cam...

[bean]

@devnull And so the scope creep begins hehe

[martinsnygg@infosec.exchange]

@devnull Yeah, three is a must for me I think to get a grip on equalization and stuff. Not really sure I do need a board though. Might just put up three hangers on a beam in the basement.

[devnull]

Today's faffery — Garda hitch shenanigans

Want a solution to a super contrived scenario whereby you have no belay device or HMS carabiner (for a munter hitch), but do have two non-locking carabiners and still want to haul something up with a makeshift progress capture device?

[mkroehnert@social.tchncs.de]

@devnull
Funnily, #HowNot2 just shared a video a couple of days ago about tests he did with the #GardaHitch.

[devnull]

@mkroehnert@social.tchncs.de indeed, that video is exactly why I even played around with it

So now one more esoteric tool in my quiver.