WESCOMAN said:
Hello Sizzle chest.
I dont mean to sound like a jerk but man I feel your life is worth the extra money. If you have to ask the questions here then maybe you shouldnt be climbing with a homemade rig like that. Looks real scary and very uncomfortable....
Bollocks! Just because you ask, doesn't mean what you've made isn't good enough. It takes a lot to put your stuff out there for everyone to critique, and it's a great way to get improvements, whether big or small. His setup, though not ideal, IS made with strong enough components, the knots are tied properly, and the way it's all put together is functional and safe.
Sizzle- Here are a few improvements I'd make to your setup...
1- Change the prusik. Take off the 1/2" Buzzzline and put in a smaller, though still strong enough 3/8ths or maybe 7/16ths hitch cord. If there is a sail shop in your area, less than $5 will get you enough Yale Yacht Braid, New England Sta Set (NOT sta set X) or Samson LS. These are some of the cords many are using to tie their climbing hitches, and they will work well in place of that large, bulky prusik you have now.
2- Double fisherperson's loops are good, and long tails are great, but yours are TOOOO long. I would snip those down to about 4". In many a book, I've read that a 4:1 ratio of tail length to rope diameter should be maintained for that (and similar) knots. That would be a 2" tail for a 1/2" rope. 4" gives peice of mind, especially considering that the false crotch would typically be many feet away from you where a mere glance wouldn't be enough to inspect it.
3- The oscillante, as has been said, really is strong enough for the loads you'll be dealing with, but falls far shy of the magic 5000 pounds ANSI encourages us to strive for. I'd spring for the $20 CMI micro pulley. 7000lbs strong, and you'll find many uses for it down the line......(get it????? pulley???rope.....DOWN THE LINE???? no? nothing?)
4- Good use of a stopper knot. I'd put a double overhand knot there, simply because I like it better. It doesn't do the job any better than a figure eight.
Definately get a pulley on there. Yes, like you said, it'll only really make the bend like an inch, but consider that it might be a 200% increase over what you have now.
Oh, and the splicing book. "Working Rope: Basic Braided Splices" by Brion Toss. Affordable, super great illustrations from a great teacher.
Keep it up. You're sure on the right track.
love
nick
