Creative Woodworking - How to Make Wooden Climbing Holds

[@adamwhite5223]

Thanks dude! This inspired me to make a few basic holds out of scrap wood. Describing what kind of tools you use and how you use them is extremely helpful.

[@wurfttobias]

You're welcome. Thanks for sharing and enjoy climbing on your own holds

[@yamchoonhian]

This isn't just hold making. It's also art making! Your holds are truly gorgeous. ❤🔥

[@wurfttobias]

Thank you very much!

[@jakehuntley1440]

I just followed you here from facebook. Thanks for the great step by step. I just found my new hobby

[@wurfttobias]

You're welcome, Jake! Enjoy the journey! :)

[@novadirector]

I'm in love with that laser engraver!

[@wurfttobias]

That sounds dangerous! ;)

[@MrNunye]

Beautiful holds. Thanks for such a great explanation of your process. Inspired to have a try at this.

[@wurfttobias]

Thanks! I hope you enjoy the process of making your own holds.

[@hatifnat9130]

This video inspired me to make holds for my home wall. I didn't write "TOP" on the wood block until I messed up and made mirrored shape from what I wanted 😛. I use 60 grit sandpaper grinding flap disk to carve hold into a shape. It takes more time, but it is much safer and my holds aren't that big - no more than 20 cm.

[@willderby-hoffman5193]

Really interesting and informative video! Thanks a lot.

[@juanandresquintero2535]

awesome vid, as always! Thanks Tobias for the insight on how to do this kind of stuff! this format was amazing and I enjoyed it a lot! Liebe Gruesse from Quito :)

[@wurfttobias]

Thanks Juan! I'm still amazed by the idea that I record a video in New Zealand, edit it in Germany and you were watching it in Ecuador! Saludos desde munich :)

[@conradsherod]

Mirka and surf prep make great 3x4 sanders you might enjoy. I paint cabinets and it takes out a lot of the hand sanding

[@marianofranco3808]

Absolutely love your videos Tobias! You’ve inspired me to make my own holds! Love watching these videos!

[@marianofranco3808]

Would love to watch a video about how you source wood, this is what I’ve had the most trouble with.

[@marianofranco3808]

Also, a question, how to you orientate wood grain when deciding how to use the wood?

[@wurfttobias]

Thanks Mariano!

[@wurfttobias]

I don't think it matters much whether the face grain or edge grain is facing up, as long as the end grain is not facing up (facing up = perpendicular to the plywood sheets of the climbing wall)

[@wurfttobias]

Sourcing wood can be tricky. You can check ebay, google for businesses that trade reclaimed wood, or ask people (carpenters, businesses, friends...) for offcuts or where they buy their wood.

[@chewnip86]

most beautiful thing i’ve ever seen oh my gosh does the multiple types of wood in a hold only for visual purposes?

[@wurfttobias]

Thanks, appreciate it! The laminated holds should be stronger and basically impossible to break. Furthermore, I can use much cheaper, thinner boards.

[@devinbennett7579]

Thank you! Very helpful and thorough! Making my own out holds of walnut, and have been using fine (120 grit) sandpaper to finish even the grip surface. I will have to try just using 80 grit to see how that feels!

[@wurfttobias]

Yes, definitely try it! Especially walnut is quite slippery when finished with 120 grit.

[@PaulMills-gg8jr]

My new favorite channel! What are the smallest holds you can make with this method? I have a workshop full of offcuts and want to make some for my kids to use too. Have you ever tried rasps to shape the holds> Slower than your arbourtech no doubt, but I have some so I'll try those first.

[@wurfttobias]

Thanks Paul! The smallest ones I made on the carver's vise were around 5 cm in diameter (footholds). But in my experience, it's more efficient to shape a long strip of wood and then cut it in smaller pieces and just round of the edges in the last step. I haven't really used rasps because I already had the power carving tools when I started making holds, but I think it's definitely worth using them before investing in new tools. I hope you'll enjoy the process of shaping your first holds.

[@7bmaneras]

Vídeo súper completo en el que se aprecia como dices los cambios siguiendo los vídeos anteriores mi enhorabuena Con la amoladora de Makita dirías que es más completa entonces a la hora de sacarla más rendimiento? Un saludo desde España, ya solo queda ver tu laminado jeje tiene una gran creatividad sigue así 👍

[@wurfttobias]

Gracias! Sí, el proceso de laminación aún no se muestra. Este todavía era material de video de mi taller de Nueva Zelanda, donde no grabé la laminación. Lo grabaré aquí en Alemania. No entendí completamente tu pregunta sobre el molinillo Makita, creo que se perdió en la traducción (traductor de Google)... Definitivamente es más rápido en comparación con el uso de un taladro. Principalmente por dos factores: tiene más potencia y es más fácil (mejor manejo) usar la sección del disco que está más cerca del borde (que se mueve más rápido y por lo tanto puede quitar más material).

[@MrWombatLOVE]

do you know how to add friction grip to the hold? some wooden holds have it like 'dualtex''. thx

[@wurfttobias]

I haven't done it myself but typically it's done by using multiple layers of epoxy floor paint and add some really fine sand in between. Basically the same way textured climbing walls are typically made.

[@SamJulius-sy8nw]

Do you have a guide that’s better for beginners (or rather just a cheaper more beginner tool set) I didn’t want to spend more than 300 dollars on tool because I was hoping making my own holds would be a bit more budget friendly (although I can always sell holds). Thanks and great video.

[@wurfttobias]

Thanks! I uploaded this video a couple of years ago, where I shape more basics holds: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKGmqXx4asmAq8k

[@kylegrandy498]

Do you think a 4 inch belt sander would get the job done? I'm also looking at getting a Used 14 inch bandsaw.

[@wurfttobias]

I have used both. A 4 inch belt sander is definitely useful for smaller holds, but a 6 inch wide belt makes a huge difference.

[@kylegrandy498]

Thanks for the Reply I'll definitely go for this 6"

[@owainscullion7373]

Have you used the Kutzall Dish Wheel for climbing holds? Looking for an alternative to the mini carver.

[@wurfttobias]

I haven't used the Kutzall discs, but the King Arthur's Tools carbide disc which I have used (and mentioned in the video) are probably similar. In my opinion, they are no replacement for the Arbortech discs since they are much slower and create way more dust. But as mentioned in the video, they are good for finer concave features.

[@adamhuske1749]

What are the bits you are using with the trim routers? Are you just using them to make the edge a consistent roundness?

[@wurfttobias]

I am using 5, 8, and 10 mm radius roundover bits. Yes, for a consistent roundness but also to safe time. (A sharp edge isn't an option because it will rip the skin)

[@kylegrandy498]

What width do you suggest for bandsaw blade?

[@wurfttobias]

I prefer a 6 to 10 mm wide blade with 6 to 10 teeth per inch.

[@SauceVinaigrette]

So cool and very well explained! I don't have any tools or experience but it'd awesome to try someday. Do you use anything to treat the wood afterwards ?

[@wurfttobias]

Thanks! I just leave it like that. At first, coming from plastic, it's something to get used to. But most people get used to it. I actually prefer wooden holds now. They don't destroy your skin (as much). :)

[@terezacernohorska897]

is the purple heart-ash sloper made out of two types of woods screwed/pasted together? or is it just one piece? :)

[@wurfttobias]

It's made out of Purpleheart laminated on top of Ash, so two different types of wood. :)

[@SveinMortenDrejer]

Any tips on lamination for climbing holds? Do you just use regular wood glue and planed surfaces?

[@DavidMucli]

Great stuff as always!!! Love the format. What sanding sponge are you using? Also I noticed you're using a 11mm dril bit, why not 10 since that's the diameter of the bolts?

[@wurfttobias]

Thanks David! Most of time, I'm using the fine (100 or 120 grit) sanding sponges made by 3M (a lot of hardware stores sell them). If you use a 10 mm drill bit you will spend more time with attaching the holds to the wall. It's always easier with a little bit of play. That's even more important if you use a drill to drill the bolt hole instead of a drill press.

[@emilioschmidt2106]

Hi. Just to check: you use M10 screws but drill 11 mm holes into the holds, correct?

[@wurfttobias]

Yes, that's correct. You want to have a little bit of play in case the holes you drill are not perfectly 90 degrees or the T-nut is slightly misaligned.

[@hatifnat9130]

I start with 10,5 mm. You can always make it bigger later.

[@stevebarratt888]

Are the chips from the powercarver a bit "heavier" than from the sander? Or to ask it a different way, is it less dusty compared with hours of belt sanding?

[@wurfttobias]

Most of the chips from the powercarver are about 5 - 10 mm in size, so it is definitely less dusty, or at least there is less dust in the air (less fine particles). But there are still some airborne which is why I keep wearing a dust mask.

[@stevebarratt888]

@@wurfttobias Cool, thats a real benefit actually. I made a lot of holds outside with a handheld belt sander and no extraction. It probably wasn't the best for the health.. In the future I'll have to be indoors in a basement, so I'm thinking about how to make it sustainable re the airborne dust. (Edit: actually kept watching to the end :facepalm:)

[@stevebarratt888]

@@wurfttobias Not sure if you have mentioned it elsewhere.. Did you ever try out the arbortech turboplane attachment?

[@wurfttobias]

@@stevebarratt888 yes, I mention it in this video. :)

[@deedeemegadoodoo2157]

Do you apply any finishes such as oil? Or would that make the hold slippery?

[@wurfttobias]

I've oiled the top surface of a few holds in the past, just for looks. Wouldn't recommend oiling the grip area because that makes them slippery. I also sand the holds when doing a complete reset. They are basically brand new afterwards, but this won't work with oil or any other finish.