Cutting and welding tree gaffs

[tree MDS]

The problem is they are tree spurs and I need pole spurs and I cant return them so I thought maybe I could cut them an inch shorter and weld the section with the points back on. They're just made from mild steel ( ferrous ). It would cost around $200 just to buy the pole spurs because they are not interchangeable (Buckingham)

He already said they're Buckinham dano.. put down the waterpipe and take the dental floss blindfold off. lol.

 

[treemandan]

He already said they're Buckinham dano.. put down the waterpipe and take the dental floss blindfold off. lol.

Oh.

I used the bucky straight gaffs for many years but when I wanted to get curved gaffs I had to get a set of Klien climbers. It really is a matter of preference though. Some guys I know have ground their buckies down to nubs and can climb their asses off.
I like my gaffs long, sharp and curved but I still don't know if they are pole or tree gaffs.

I don't know why Bucky don't offer both kinds, I think its quite rude of them and in retrospect if I had to do it over again I would have gotten a set a curvedgaffs, filed them to fit and welded them on the Buckies cause if I did it then it would be OK.

The main reason I didn't do that is if I ever wanted to change them but as far as the welds being ok; That was not the issue. But I sure wouldn't cut the gaff in half, shorten it, then weld it back together. I mean, you could, but its a lot of unessesary work. I did that to a Volkswagon once and it didn't break in half. The transmission did though so we chained it back together and drove it til it had no more. Its kinda surprising how far it went with a transmission full of NJ Pine Barren sand. They ought to have a recall on them transmissions:msp_unsure:

 

[pdqdl]

I was under the impression that he has tree gaffs, that he wants to cut and re-weld into pole gaffs. He's looking to up his game with some Macguyver style action.. rather than just pay for the proper tool to do the job safely..

You are right. I was not paying attention.

I had been up since yesterday doing snow removal...Just trying to remain awake. In fact, that's what I am still doing!

 

[pdqdl]

The problem is they are tree spurs and I need pole spurs and I cant return them so I thought maybe I could cut them an inch shorter and weld the section with the points back on. They're just made from mild steel ( ferrous ). It would cost around $200 just to buy the pole spurs because they are not interchangeable (Buckingham)

OK! I am on my second wind, so maybe I'll do better this time.

I would propose that gaffs are never done in "mild" steel. Touch one to a grinder (far back from the point), and you will see a shower of tiny bright sparks that divide into multiple sparks as they fly away from the wheel This means that you have high carbon, high strength steel.

Some alloys don't throw sparks, but they won't be magnetic.

If you DESPERATELY want to saw out 1" of a gaff, do it close to the base of each gaff with two parallel cuts. Then use a grinder to create a 3/8" wide bevel on the smaller piece at about a 45° angle. THEN...

[here it is where it gets tricky] clamp the two pieces together in perfect apposition to allow a single bead weld to fill the bevel, while heating the pieces to 400° [using a welders melt-stick for that temperature, propane works best for a heat source]. DO NOT OVERHEAT, and do not allow to cool until welded !

Using an OMG expensive 1/8" electrode rod called MG600, pour in the weld using DCEP settings on your arc welder. Grind off any imperfections, cracks, or overfills, and re-weld as necessary. When completed, re-heat to 400° to stress relieve the assembly.

Put your gaffs back on the spurs and climb with confidence. You just put a 180,000 psi weld into the middle of your gaffs. If you can break that, your foot will be broken too.

 

[Nailsbeats]

I have a set of welded gaffs, came from the factory that way. I have also climbed on a few pair that were home brewed glued.

 

[treemandan]

I have a set of welded gaffs, came from the factory that way. I have also climbed on a few pair that were home brewed glued.

Glued, that's the term! That's what I always say," I am gonna glue that pintle to the back of the truck"

 

[Nailsbeats]

The key to fab work is adding gussets or bridging and not just glueing something on with all the stress on one weld.

I know the Dan knew that, but I just like to here myself type. And if you are just gonna put stress on one weld then it best be done right, bevel, preheat, right rod/wire, welder settings, multiple passes, etc.

 

[treemandan]

The key to fab work is adding gussets or bridging and not just glueing something on with all the stress on one weld.

I know the Dan knew that, but I just like to here myself type. And if you are just gonna put stress on one weld then it best be done right, bevel, preheat, right rod/wire, welder settings, multiple passes, etc.

Actually the key to fab work is in the preperation and cleanliness but where would we be without the gusset.

If anyone is qualified to cut a gaff in half and glue it back together properly it would definatley be you.

 

[treemandan]

And I would never weld a pintle on, I would use the proper bolts, I was just saying that as an example. if you ever see a welded pintle beware!

 

[bigbadbob]

I sent the OP a pm a while back,as I have two sets of pole gaffs for sale,, never heard back??
Gotta be safer than welding or cutting.

 

[TreeClimber57]

The problem is they are tree spurs and I need pole spurs and I cant return them so I thought maybe I could cut them an inch shorter and weld the section with the points back on. They're just made from mild steel ( ferrous ). It would cost around $200 just to buy the pole spurs because they are not interchangeable (Buckingham)

I actually have both pole and tree.. but what are you doing that you "NEED pole spurs".. and what makes you think that you will NEVER need or what tree gaffs again?

I could be wrong, but why cut something down when it is good.. simply get the pole spur.

 

[TreeClimber57]

Personally, i'm not a fan of messing with the gaffs (other than sharpening.) I threw out an almost new pair that had the point break off like you are talking about cutting off.

:agree2:

 

[pdqdl]

And I would never weld a pintle on, I would use the proper bolts, I was just saying that as an example. if you ever see a welded pintle beware!

I have come across quite a few pintle rings or hitches that were welded on. As I recall, they were all bolted on as well.

I think it is a "mid-west distrust of engineering" problem. Apparently, not too many folks around here trust bolts or pintle hitches.