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jwemett
May 6, 2003, 12:49 PM
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ok i have a question for all you guys and gals, ive been useing chalk balls recently and hate them i can never get enough but chalk is so exspense when its loose ( idont have a lot of cash) i was in lows the other day and saw chalk for chalk lines (used for constructing straigh tlines for carpenters and etc.) and the were selling it in large amounts for $2.00 do you think it will work the same as the chalk ive been useing??? thanks for any help -Jordan
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michhiker
May 6, 2003, 12:59 PM
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It will work for your purpose, but then you are gonna leave blue and read $h!+ all over the wall. Even more offensive than white chalk. But hey your call.
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keinangst
May 6, 2003, 2:21 PM
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Probably not. Magnesium chalk has a lot of advantages, like a high coefficient of friction, high absorption, disinfecting properties for cuts and scrapes, plus it doesn't hurt the rock and washes away over time. At $5 per 1/4 lb (or around $7 for 1/2 lb), I think it's a pretty good deal.
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calpolyclimber
May 6, 2003, 2:34 PM
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Buy your chalk in blocks. 2 ounce blocks cost about $1 at most climbing stores, or at most $1.50 online. This is all I ever use, and I have no complaints whatsoever. Procedure- 1. Break off chunks of the block (it breaks really easy) and put them in your chalkbag and close it. 2. Put your chalkbag on a rock and start mashing. Within about 20 seconds you have a bag full of fluffy, ready chalk... For cheap... This comes out to $8/pound. Not bad, eh?
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soolianggary
May 6, 2003, 2:57 PM
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Well, in my hometown, Penang, Malaysia, we got 1kg of chalk powder ( magnesium carbonate MgCO3) for just RM15 or US$ 4. Try to get it for shop shelling chemical but not climbing utilities. Is generally the same.
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bakedjake
May 6, 2003, 3:22 PM
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I'm in dire financial straights myself but I buy a block from EMS for like $2.00 and it lasts for weeks of climbing. I can't remember when I bought my last block... maybe 2 months ago.
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overlord
May 7, 2003, 7:34 AM
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try chemical stores, but be sure to muy magnesium carbonate (MgCO3), not calcium carbonate (CaCO3). the latter is used for writting on blackboards, the former for climbing. you could also try a general sport shop if they have any chalk for gymast use. its the same. btw, the real name for climbing chalk is "basic magnesium carbonate" with chemical formula 4MgCO3.Hg(OH)2.4H2O. magnesium works because it adsorbs the water, not arbsorks it, meaning the water is finely spread on the surface of its "dust" particles. that 4H2O in the formula mean that it has some crystalic water wich doesn affect its water binding properties.
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redpoint73
May 7, 2003, 11:53 AM
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Don't buy that carpenters chalk. Especially if you climb overhangs that don't get rained on, your red and blue chalk marks will stay on the route forever!!! What kind of chalk ball are you using? Are you using a refillable one, or buying new non-refillable ones every time? Buy a refillable one (has a drawstring). Or you can convert your non-refillable ball into a refillable one by sealing it with a rubber band, twist-tie or something else. Also, some brands of chalk balls dispense more chalk than others because the material is different - the weave is tighter/looser so the chalk passes through differently. The chalk balls that look like sweat-sock material (don't know what brand) dispense plenty of chalk. The ones that have finer material (almost like cheese cloth) hardly dispense any. Chalk balls seem to give more chalk when they are full, and less when they get half-empty. So keep it full for more chalk.
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jwemett
May 7, 2003, 1:20 PM
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thanks for all the help guys!
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