I-beams and light weight trusses

Okay, I have been thinking (drooling really) about the inside of some buildings with I-beams and light weught trusses.

First the I-beams; would a conduit rope saver protect the rope from the edges of these? I know the rounder the anchor the better ands less stress on the rope but those I-beams look like a great target except for that tiny space between the I-beam and the roof material. Is there any stronger material to make a rope saver out of?

Light weight treusses; these look like a better target opening (at least for me) again, what about the sharpness of the corners of these? I have put a saver on one and tried it low and slow. It worked okay but the sharp bend trashed the conduit. Any ideas on these?

Would a false crotch be better for these and climbing?
Thanks

Originally posted by Rocknroll

Light weight treusses; these look like a better target opening (at least for me) again, what about the sharpness of the corners of these?
Would a false crotch be better for these and climbing?
Thanks

I'm thinking that a false crotch made of heavy webbing nested inside a leather sleeve might work. When you test it low you'd be able to easily see how much damage is being done to the leather before it gets to the webbing.

Also I don't know how easy or expensive it is to get hold of kevlar fabric, that would be nice to wrap/sew around the false crotch webbing.

It's tricky because there may be variation in how the edges on the I-beams and trusses are finshed from one building to another or even within the same building, (more or less sharp edges) Are the trusses made from round steel rod or flat stock?

I've done a fair amount of welding on mild steel (used in most construction) but I've been away from it for 18 years so I don't know what the trusses look like these days. If you can photograph the structure you intend to climb on that might help people come up with informed advice.
-moss

Rope sleeves should not be used on small diameter supports. They will damage the metal conduit.

Use a two-ring false crotch on those small settings because the webbing will not be damaged at all.

See you at the top,
Dan

For added support, sew on some leather, canvas, webbing or something around the webbing. This way if you notice damage after the first climb, it will be on the leather, and you can cut it off and you'll have ruined leather, instead of a ruined friction saver!

love
nick

While working as a window washer I often worked from such structural items. I would also reccomend (I'm sure I spelled that wrong) using a two ring type false crotch. I'd avoid the top chord of a truss, you cant see what the top looks like, and there is all kinds of stuff up there that could thrash your equipment. I've had weld splatter shred a few feet of one of my ropes.

Climb Safe!
Icabod

Originally posted by Icabod
... I would also reccomend (I'm sure I spelled that wrong) ...

I used to struggle with that word a lot, too. Then I realized that when you recommend something, it is sorta like you are commending it AGAIN. You are in a sense, re-commending it.

Or just say 1-c, 2m's

love
nick

I'll get that in my head...next thing you know I'll be spelling my name
"Cammeron"

THANKS NICK. Look what you made me do!

Climb Safe!