Shaping Wooden Climbing Holds - Sloper #2

[@shanjezi]

I just built a home wall and have been making my own climbing holds. Your videos are incredibly helpful to someone with basically no woodworking experience. Thank you for putting out this content!

[@wurfttobias]

Thanks Reg! Enjoy your own home wall. :)

[@felixlafond850]

Awesome video like usual! You really deserve a bigger community. Keep up the amazing work!

[@michaeledwards7604]

Excellent holds Tobias. I love making wooden holds and after watching this I'm heading straight out to the workshop. I like how the off cuts make great small crimps and footers - no wastage.

[@wurfttobias]

Thanks Michael! :) Let me know if/when you share your results.

[@JimClimber]

Nice work, and nice home board!

[@martinandreasvik6505]

It is so beatiful!

[@ejl74]

Great job Tobias. I want to do a spotlight on you for the DIYClimbingHolds page. Thanks for sharing your talent.

[@wurfttobias]

Thanks Erik!

[@samtucker8935]

wicked man!! thanks!!

[@khakicam5400]

Another great demo, you make beautiful holds. I was just wondering how long each arbortech disk is lasting you, along with a rough average of the timber density you're using on a scale of 1(Pine)-10 (Aussie Red-gum). Thanks

[@wurfttobias]

Thanks Cam! I have the small Arbortech disc now for 5 years (probably about +100 hours of use time) and haven't even sharpened the hard metal teeth once. Also want to mention that the King Arthur's Tools Carbide Disc last very very long (sort of similar time range, the spikes are just a bit brittle so you don't want to hit something or drop the discs). But I have heard from quite a few people that the cheap copies only last a few hours... The wood I'm using is mostly on the 5-10 scale in terms of how hard it is (e.g. Jarrah, European Walnut, Apple, Purple Heart...)

[@khakicam5400]

@@wurfttobias thanks heaps for the feedback. 100+ hrs on reasonably dense timber is amazing so I think I'll go for Arbortech, seeing as it's made here in Australia. Cheers

[@EtaiDvora]

I could watch these all day, very satisfying and very beautiful shapes. I have a miter saw, random orbital sander, and a drill. If I wanted to start shaping my own wooden holds for my wall and only had the budget for one more tool, what would you suggest (with band saw being outside of that budget)? Angle grinder?

[@wurfttobias]

Thanks Etai! Yes, I would go for an angle grinder! If you've got some bucks extra maybe an adjustable speed angle grinder...

[@EtaiDvora]

@@wurfttobias thanks for the advice and the videos!

[@TheDeltaStation]

What is the difference using the Arbortech Mini Grinder and King Arthurs Galaheads compared to just using a flap disc on a an angle grinder? Like you can still get to the end result but one using the flap disc just takes longer and wears out faster? Im curious to know your thoughts on this and if you think it it worth spending the money on the fancier tools?

[@wurfttobias]

Hey, I haven't used flap discs much but I guess the King Arthurs Galahead carbide discs are similar. The biggest difference is the shape of the discs, how you can use the edge and that the carbide discs (almost?) don't wear out (can't tell a difference after +10 hours usetime). But other people told me that the cheap copies are blunt after a few hours. Regarding the Arbortech Mini Grinder, I want to emphasize that it is the Mini Turbo discs that makes the difference in terms of how material is removed. It's cutting the wood which is way more agressive than sanding (flap disc) or rasping (Galahead). I have also used the big Turbo disc on an angle grinder but for what I am doing this tool is too agressive. One wrong movement and an inch of hardwood is removed. This is why I like the Mini Grinder in combination with the Mini Turbo disc: removes material quicker than flap or carbide discs but is still safe and nice to handle and you can also create smaller features. If you already have an angle grinder, you could try the Mini Turo disc on that because it comes with a shaft (I have never used it because I bought the Mini Grinder first). Regarding the money: I bought the Mini Grinder first for carving other things than wooden climbing holds. So in your case, I would rather have a look at the Arbortech discs (e.g. Mini Turbo disc or Turbo Plane disc) as an angle grinder attachment. And regarding the Galaheads: If you are planning to make a lot of holds it should be cheaper because I don't think you need a replacement for years. But for making a few holds, a flap disc is definitely the cheaper option.

[@anthonypattison9639]

Hi Tobis, Great job on the sloper .What are the 2 angles opposite the 45 . Thanks

[@wurfttobias]

Thanks Anthony! The sloper is incut on one side by 10 to 15 degrees (can't remember the exact angle). Thus it is only a sloper if installed on an overhanging wall... :) All the other band saw cuts are 45 degrees. Does this answer your question? Cheers

[@anthonypattison9639]

Thanks that was helpful. I love how one side of the hold is a slope and the other is a jug.

[@skyisskool]

Hi Tobias, great videos, they’re very helpful, entertaining and also a great inspiration. I noticed in this video that you used a 20mm forstner bit but then a 22.5mm countersink bit. Why is that?

[@wurfttobias]

Thanks Nils! ☺ It's a 20.5mm countersink bit. Sorry if I said or spelled something wrong. I couldn't find a 20mm one, that's why I'm using the 20.5mm... :) Cheers!

[@friendship9843]

Can you explain how you made your fall mat?

[@wurfttobias]

It's made out of 250 mm thick soft foam offcuts from a commercial climbing gym and then covered with multiple layers of old carpet someone threw away when replacing it.

[@guidocubillos8567]

hey , these videos are super nice, what wood did you use for this one?

[@guidocubillos8567]

i just rewatched the video and find out, my bad xD

[@doug907]

Hey Tobias, have you tried staining your holds?

[@wurfttobias]

Hey Doug! No, I haven't. I prefer them clean. I like the wood-specific friction and clean holds can be sanded for two minutes and are brand new afterwards! :) Are you making some for outdoors?