OAR Ascender

[ssurveyor]

I have been improving my design. Here is a picture of my latest hand made Offset Ascending Rack. It is just over 6 inches long and weighs 14 oz. It uses three rack arms (with the pictured 6 steel friction points) and has a top spring loaded latch and bottom swivel gate. It is mid-line attachable and descends on a single rope by pulling down on the bottom rack arm, while modulating the descent speed with an index finger pulling gently down on the middle rack arm. The top rack then acts as a friction brake. On a double rope you pull down the middle and bottom rack arms, while modulating your descent with an index finger on the top rack.

 

[RacerX]

Looks nice.

Do you have any other photo's, like how the rope runs through it?

 

[ssurveyor]

 

[oldirty]

how long would you think it lasts if i said i was going through a prussic a day of 10mm beeline and how much?

 

[ssurveyor]

how long would you think it lasts if i said i was going through a prussic a day of 10mm beeline and how much?

I would think it should last longer than the uni because the friction points are all high grade steel (ANSI size 60 chain links). Since it is relatively new I have no long term testimonials yet. Making the OAR is just a hobby for me. I am a registered land surveyor by profession. I have been making them on a first come first serve basis. I normally sell them for $150.00, with a disclaimer about the inherent danger of climbing. They have not been tested by any labratory for life support. I have done a static test and drop test myself, of a prototype OAR posted on youtube (look for OAR ascender). It is designed for a 13mm rope, and also works well on my 11.5mm Tachyon, but is not suitable for an 11mm poison ivy rope. It tends to compress the rope on descent and the 11mm is just too narrow.