|
mikeehartley
Jan 8, 2004, 10:32 PM
Post #1 of 33
(8091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jan 25, 2003
Posts: 118
|
Have any of you made your own Russian aiders - from the Kung Fu article or otherwise? I'm looking to make a pair since getting them seems next to impossible. I'm planning on using rope/cable thimbles instead of rings to hold the loops open. Didn't know if you'd had any luck or words of wisdom.
|
|
|
|
|
scottcody
Jan 8, 2004, 10:43 PM
Post #2 of 33
(8091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 27, 2003
Posts: 577
|
pete... oh wonderous pete where are you in our time of need
I have feeling alot of these questions will go unanswered in his absence :cry:
|
|
|
|
|
epic_ed
Jan 8, 2004, 11:51 PM
Post #3 of 33
(8091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 17, 2002
Posts: 4724
|
No -- Pete never made Russian aiders. He bought his like nearly everyone else. Kung Fu had a great post (the one he's refering to), and like many of our other members, contributed greatly to the knowledge base of our little aid forum. In fact, now that there's no solitary show-boating, chest-pounding, attention-hog shouting everyone else down, we stand a much better chance at hearing from someone who actually makes or has made this stuff. Maybe you're not aware, but two of the guys who actually manufacture (or manufactured) the gear in question are members of our site. Both Malcolm from Trango and Russ from Fish Products would likely have some excellent feedback. I'd be willing to bet that an email to one of them would encourage a response.
Ed
|
|
|
|
|
holdplease2
Jan 9, 2004, 12:04 AM
Post #4 of 33
(8091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 18, 2002
Posts: 1733
|
Funny...every time pete's name gets mentioned, ed chimes in. Hey Ed, as long as you guys don't have too much in common...I mean, I know you can count past, uh, 12, right? ;)
I myself am looking for some Russian helpers.
Hope ur well.
-Kate.
|
|
|
|
|
epic_ed
Jan 9, 2004, 12:07 AM
Post #5 of 33
(8091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 17, 2002
Posts: 4724
|
:P
Every time I see someone worshiping him I feel like I need a shower.
|
|
|
|
|
bigwalling
Jan 9, 2004, 2:04 AM
Post #6 of 33
(8091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 29, 2001
Posts: 728
|
In reply to: :P Every time I see someone worshiping him I feel like I need a shower.
Amen to that!
|
|
|
|
|
nefarius
Jan 9, 2004, 2:55 AM
Post #7 of 33
(8091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 6, 2003
Posts: 128
|
I will have proto-type Russian Aiders, with improvements over the Trangos, finished within the next few weeks. From there I will be having them tested by Pete, for one, as well as others, and then offering them for sale. They will be professional quality, MUCH better quality than the Trango's, not cheesy homemade models. Anyone interested can send me an email at rwenzel1@yahoo.com
Thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
diesel___smoke
Jan 9, 2004, 3:00 AM
Post #8 of 33
(8091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 9, 2003
Posts: 507
|
I've made them, it took me a week (maybe a 16 hours total, dragged over a week). I can post a picture tomorrow, they were based off the article, but with somewhat different modifications. They've served me well although I NEED metal buckles, anyone with any idea on where I could get some? If you'd like some information about them, I'll be glad to answer with what I know but I'll need more specific questions...
Ed, actually Pete does use homemade russian aiders although he has ones that he bought too... he just prefers his homemade ones.
Have fun,
Jp
|
|
|
|
|
epic_ed
Jan 9, 2004, 3:36 AM
Post #9 of 33
(8091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 17, 2002
Posts: 4724
|
Randy! No joke?! I'd gotta get the inside track on those. I'll send you an email, but I'm wondering what you were able to find for rings -- I'm fairly certain Russ was having a hard time finding titanium rings.
JP -- huh, didn't know that. What did you think of them compared to those using the plans Kung Fu posted? Hope yours work out well. What are you using for ring material? And what about the hook?
Ed
|
|
|
|
|
diesel___smoke
Jan 9, 2004, 4:03 AM
Post #10 of 33
(8091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 9, 2003
Posts: 507
|
I'm using 1/8" stock, 1.5" diameter welded rings. They're sort of heavy, but won't oval. They've worked great so far. For the hooks I am using a simple hardware store hook. I'll post a picture tomorrow.
The problem I've found with the Trango version is that the hooks' trough isn't deep enough and on hard aid when you'll want to push your legs apart they'll pop out from the rings. Pete's are significantly different from the article. The ones I made were largely based on the 'kung fu' article.
Jp
Make sure you put METAL buckles on your's if you make them, I used plastic ones and they've finally broke from bounce testing. I've had to tie mine together until I can find metal buckles.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
crackboy
Jan 9, 2004, 6:16 PM
Post #12 of 33
(8091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 14, 2003
Posts: 323
|
Did you just bartack the rings on? looks well done
|
|
|
|
|
diesel___smoke
Jan 9, 2004, 6:18 PM
Post #13 of 33
(8091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 9, 2003
Posts: 507
|
Everything was bartacked, nothing was hand stitched...
|
|
|
|
|
epic_ed
Jan 9, 2004, 6:28 PM
Post #14 of 33
(8091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 17, 2002
Posts: 4724
|
Who did the bar tacking? Or do you have a machine?
BTW - nice job!
|
|
|
|
|
diesel___smoke
Jan 9, 2004, 6:35 PM
Post #15 of 33
(8091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 9, 2003
Posts: 507
|
In reply to: Who did the bar tacking? Or do you have a machine? BTW - nice job!
I did it, with a heavy-duty sewing machine.
Thanks
Jp
PS, another bit of advice, make all straps long than what you think you'll need because once sewn, it cannot be changed later without much work and if you have them too long you may shorten them to your liking. The calf straps should be pretty long so you may put them on easily and cinch them down tight with the good amount of length so you don't have to use both hands to work them tight.
|
|
|
|
|
mikeehartley
Jan 12, 2004, 3:26 AM
Post #16 of 33
(8091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jan 25, 2003
Posts: 118
|
Thanks guys for the offers of help. I've been on the road with work and will be gone for another week but will be getting back to share ideas. Thanks again!
|
|
|
|
|
moof
Jun 13, 2004, 8:47 AM
Post #17 of 33
(8091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 17, 2003
Posts: 400
|
I managed to knock out the cuffs without too much trouble. They looks very similar to the Kung Fu design with the following changes:
1. My padding in the cuffs is 1/4" closed cell foam. I used a double length piece of seatbelt webbing folded over and sewn on the edges (after attaching all ther other crap) to make a tube for the webbing. I skipped the velco, but I think I am going to regret it.
2. Rather than the bulky tied webbing to attach the stirrups to the cuffs I used a dogvine loop of spectra (one was a scrap the other was hacked from a retired cordelette). Still adjustable if you've got patience, but compact. I still need to buy some needle files to round the edges on the holes in the hook.
3. I went with a single piece of 2" elastic over the top of the feet to secure them. I had it on hand, it will probably have to be improved.
My sewing machine isn't burly enough to do 3 layers of hefty webbing so i am still figuring out the trees. Maybe I can bribe Russ to sell me the trees alone?
I can email some pictures if anyone wants them.
|
|
|
|
|
moof
Jun 13, 2004, 10:56 PM
Post #18 of 33
(8091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 17, 2003
Posts: 400
|
In reply to: They've served me well although I NEED metal buckles, anyone with any idea on where I could get some?
Try places like:
http://www.caves.org/imo/webcraft.htm
or
http://www.onrope1.com/...hes,%20etc.&cat2=all
For quick adjustment the 1" cinch is cheap (<2 bucks), and is bomber for things like this. Some of my old caving buddies used them on their rope walker rigs. The CMI 1" slider is beefier than you generally find on harness and is also cheap.
|
|
|
|
|
diesel___smoke
Jun 17, 2004, 1:50 AM
Post #19 of 33
(8091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 9, 2003
Posts: 507
|
In reply to: Maybe I can bribe Russ to sell me the trees alone?
I can personally attest that Russ will sell you some trees. He made some custom ones for me a while back of high quality, and understood fully what I desired by my shoddy descriptions and diagrams, here is the result:
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/51/Aiders.jpg
I like them very much, and they omit the 'knock-kneed' feeling Russian aiders sometimes have, but others might not like the seperated design of the rings... I suppose if one only wanted them sperated at certain times they could place small velcro strips between the straps, or fashion some other manner to hold them together when not desired that they be seperated. FISH made mine custom so I'm sure he can make your's however you desire...
PS - Thanks for the link with the buckles, but in the meantime Karen Yates sold me some buckles off their harnesses.
|
|
|
|
|
diesel___smoke
Jun 17, 2004, 1:52 AM
Post #20 of 33
(8091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 9, 2003
Posts: 507
|
In reply to: Maybe I can bribe Russ to sell me the trees alone?
I can personally attest that Russ will sell you some trees. He made some custom ones for me a while back of high quality, and understood fully what I desired by my shoddy descriptions and diagrams, here is the result:
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/51/Aiders.jpg
I like them very much, and they omit the 'knock-kneed' feeling Russian aiders sometimes have, but others might not like the seperated design of the rings... I suppose if one only wanted them sperated at certain times they could place small velcro strips between the straps, or fashion some other manner to hold them together when not desired that they be seperated. Either way, FISH made mine custom so I'm sure he can make your's however you desire...
PS - Thanks for the link with the buckles, but in the meantime Karen Yates sold me some buckles off their harnesses.
|
|
|
|
|
moof
Jun 17, 2004, 2:06 AM
Post #21 of 33
(8091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 17, 2003
Posts: 400
|
How much did those custom jobs set you back?
|
|
|
|
|
diesel___smoke
Jun 17, 2004, 2:10 AM
Post #22 of 33
(8091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 9, 2003
Posts: 507
|
$87 w/ Shipping...
|
|
|
|
|
jc5462
Jun 29, 2004, 7:47 AM
Post #23 of 33
(8091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 25, 2004
Posts: 64
|
The source for most everything you need:
A. Lowy Enterprises
2311 E. Artesia Blvd.
Long Beac, CA. 90805
(310) 531-8134
Ask for Aaron, Tell him Jim Cormier referred you.
Titanium rings: Get from Ushba (Fort Collins, Colorado)
Trees could probably be special ordered from Forest Safety Products (Durango, Colorado)
Hooks: Try #LN516 from Lowy and remove the riveted spring keeper.
If you can't get items from Lowy because of order minimums or needing business license, let me know and I will see what I can do.
Jim Cormier
Cormier Mountaineering
Maybe I should start producing these?
|
|
|
|
|
mikeehartley
Jun 29, 2004, 1:10 PM
Post #24 of 33
(8091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jan 25, 2003
Posts: 118
|
Jim,
Thanks for the suggestions!
|
|
|
|
|
jc5462
Jun 29, 2004, 2:31 PM
Post #25 of 33
(8091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 25, 2004
Posts: 64
|
Let me know how everything goes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
