Hardware suggestions for tree-climbing saddle

[kevinz 0]

I hope you all will entertain a question not at all related to jumping out of perfectly good airplanes.

I'm interested in making a harness or saddle (term used in arborist's work) for climbing trees. You can see modern examples of them at http://www.newtribe.com/saddles.html and more traditional ones at http://www.wtsherrill.com/SHTML/sad.shtml. I think I can do this safely; I've made sailing lifeline harnesses and made some of the rope climbing harnesses found in Padgett and Smith's On Rope. I'm asking for help selecting hardware and for some sewing techniques.

I found ParaGear's web site, to order hardware from. I'll probably use H309 or H310 on http://www.paragear.com/frame.asp?menu=group%3d34%26level%3d1&main=templates/base_template.asp%3fgroup%3d34 for the rings, for they're rated at 5000# tensile strength, the usually rating for arborist's rope and saddle equipment. I don't know what to use to fasten the leg or waist belts. These have to be adjustable and yet strong. Looking at a rock climbing belt I have, the closest buckle is H429 or H433. Is this the buckle to use? On my rock climbing harness, I don't like this style of buckle because it has to be rethreaded each time it's put on, taking time and loosing the position where it was set. Is there any other buckle that you would recommend, like a seat-belt type buckle, that would be quick, remember the last setting, be light and secure?

Regarding sewing techniques, I've skimmed through The Parachute Manual by Poyner, volume II. I didn't find much on actual sewing techniques. For instance, I found out about 3-ring systems, but not enough to be able to make one up without an example in front of me. Is there another book or web site which would be more helpful to me? Does volume 1 of Poyner talk more about this?

Thank you for your indulgence and suggestions.

-Kevin Zembower

[Blahr 0]

You may want to re-post this in Talk Back since it has nothing at all to do with skydiving.
That forum is for anything you like (within reason!)

[PhreeZone 20]

First off your normal sweing machine will not be able to sew the type patterns that are needed to reach the limits that harness are able to do. Harness work needs special machines that are able to deal with the heavy duty materials that are used.

PPM shows how to do a box stich, a double X pattern and all the needed stitching for modern parachute repair work. Unless you have the skills and equipment already I'd reccommend either buying a premade harness or giving a local rigging loft a call and see if they would be willing to make one for you.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[andy2 0]

I suggest you search around and try to find people whose speciality (read job) is climbing around trimming trees. These guys do some amazing work WAY high up in trees, and often employ harnesses, shoe spikes, etc.

What do you need it for? Why won't a regular climbing harness work? PM me if this thread gets locked, i'm curious...

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let my inspiration flow,
in token rhyme suggesting rhythm...

[Jimbo 0]

Quote

What do you need it for?

Many people lose parachutes at the tops of tall trees, that's certainly related to skydiving, at least I think it is.

-
Jim

"Like" - The modern day comma
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[andy2 0]

[/QUOTE]Many people lose parachutes at the tops of tall trees[/QUOTE]

Again, my point, Jimbo. Why won't a regular climbing harness work? He mentioned a comfort issue, so I am inclined to think that it is for something else other than just retrieving the odd parachute once every month or so...

It's just a hunch, but I guess he has something else planned.

[QUOTE]that's certainly related to skydiving, at least I think it is. [/QUOTE]

I don't care whether it is or is not related to skydiving, I don't moderate this board.

---------------------------------------------
let my inspiration flow,
in token rhyme suggesting rhythm...

[riggerrob 643]

Last Christmas I was stringing lights in really big trees, so I sewed up an arborist's harness using: old 3-Rings, a friction adapter, an adjustable B-12 Snap and some Type 7 webbing that was laying around my loft. For this Christmas I will probably add some leg straps.
Dude, if you are not experienced with sewing harnesses, this is a dangerous way to learn.
Far wiser to buy a pre-made harness or ask your local Master Rigger to sew it for you.

[kevinz 0]

I thought that this is an appropriate forum, because it seemed that the parachute riggers hung out here. The materials and techniques of sewing parachute harnesses are very similar to what goes into arborist's saddles.

Thanks for your thoughts.

-Kevin

[kevinz 0]

Andy2, thanks for your reply.

I'm here from the arborist's board over at www.arboristsite.com. My post over there on "Hardware for making a saddle" is at http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9758. I didn't get much of a response, cause few of the folks over there are familiar with parachute harness hardware.

A climbing harness can be used for arborist work, but it's unconfortable after a while. Climbing harnesses are made to hold you safely in the event of a fall, but are almost never used to suspend your weight for a long (more than 10 minutes) time. Arborists sit in their saddles almost all day long. Their weight needs to be spread out over cushioning material, not just the webbing of a climbing harness.

Thanks, again, for your thoughts.

-Kevin

[kevinz 0]

Sorry, my request really doesn't have anything to do with parachuting. I just thought that the folks who would know the most about the materials and techniques I'll have to use would hang out here.

Thanks for all the thoughts and concern about whether my machine can sew the materials, and whether I have enough experience to do this safely. As I said, I've already made what I consider to be adequate sailing life-line harnesses with my home sewing machine. I've also made harnesses for Single Rope Technique (SRT), a system used in cave-exploring and high-angle rescue.

Another safely factor in my request is the arborist's practice of working with new materials or tools "low and slow." All new techniques and tools, like saddles, are usually tried out in the backyard, anywhere from 1 to 10 feet above the ground, until the techniques are familiar and the tools are proven.

Thanks, again, for your thoughts. I value your suggestions.

-Kevin