Climb Safety Grappling Hook
by ZacharyMyers_AllisonWatkins in Outside > Climbing
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Climb Safety Grappling Hook
![Screenshot 2023-05-15 211221.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FC0/N74H/LHOUVTZX/FC0N74HLHOUVTZX.png&filename=Screenshot 2023-05-15 211221.png)
With this project we wanted to create something to increase the safety of rock climbers. Yes, there are harnesses and ropes to catch you, but in the chance they fail, there's nothing. As climbers ourselves we always want to be sure we are safe, and with this device there is that extra step of precaution that can keep climbers minds at ease.
Downloads
Supplies
![supplies.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F4I/H081/LHOUVOPZ/F4IH081LHOUVOPZ.png&filename=supplies.png)
To make this device you will need:
Launcher:
4" PVC pipe (1.5 feet)
2" PVC pipe (4 feet)
4" PVC threated coupler
4" PVC cleanout cap
4"-2" PVC adapter
PVC primer
PVC cement
Drill with 0.5" bit
Spark plug push button
Hairspray
Potatoes
Grappling Hook:
3D printer
Small springs
Paracord
Drill the Hole
![hole.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FGW/4XSE/LHOUVP1T/FGW4XSELHOUVP1T.png&filename=hole.png)
In this first step we drilled the hole for the button to sit in. We went about three inches up from the bottom of the four inch pipe and drilled a half inch hole.
Insert the Button
![button.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FFE/HXB4/LHOUVPCE/FFEHXB4LHOUVPCE.png&filename=button.png)
![push.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FVT/83R1/LHOUVPCO/FVT83R1LHOUVPCO.png&filename=push.png)
In this next step we put the spark plug push button into the hole we drilled in the pervious step. To do this you need to first take off the inside ring, slide the wires through first followed by the rest of the spark plug until it stops, once its all the way in you would then put the inside ring back on and ensure that it isn't going to come out.
Assemble the Launcher
![cement 2.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FU4/GMQJ/LHOUVQ3R/FU4GMQJLHOUVQ3R.png&filename=cement 2.png)
![cement 1.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F5S/EGQV/LHOUVQ44/F5SEGQVLHOUVQ44.png&filename=cement 1.png)
![launcher.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FWQ/JMUI/LHOUVQ4I/FWQJMUILHOUVQ4I.png&filename=launcher.png)
In this step we are putting the launcher together. First put the primer on both ends of the four inch PVC pipe and the four inch threaded coupler. Then put the cement on the pipe, push them together and twist in opposite directions to assure a tight fit. Then repeat the process on the four inch pipe and the adapter. After the four inch pipe has both the adapter and coupler attached, use the same process to attach the two inch pipe to the adapter. Leave it to set for a few hours and then it will be ready to use.
Test Launch # 1
In this step the launcher was made and we needed to test it. We took it out to an open area where we could safely test it and tested it out. After a couple failed attempts we figured out exactly what we needed to do. At first we didn't put in enough hairspray so after a quick google search seven seconds is the perfect amount of spray time.
Downloads
3D Design of the Grappling Hook
![Screenshot 2023-05-15 205404.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F1X/CF1O/LHOUVR96/F1XCF1OLHOUVR96.png&filename=Screenshot 2023-05-15 205404.png)
![Screenshot 2023-05-15 205425.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FVU/VUBM/LHOUVR9S/FVUVUBMLHOUVR9S.png&filename=Screenshot 2023-05-15 205425.png)
![Screenshot 2023-05-15 205447.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FPG/2FVM/LHOUVRAF/FPG2FVMLHOUVRAF.png&filename=Screenshot 2023-05-15 205447.png)
![Screenshot 2023-05-15 205340.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F92/K1K9/LHOUVRB3/F92K1K9LHOUVRB3.png&filename=Screenshot 2023-05-15 205340.png)
Now it was time to create the grappling hook. We used OnShape to create our 3D design of the grappling hooks, then the 3D printers at our school to print them out.
Downloads
Bend and Attach the Springs
![Screenshot 2023-05-15 210112.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FWW/AJPM/LHOUVS2S/FWWAJPMLHOUVS2S.png&filename=Screenshot 2023-05-15 210112.png)
![Screenshot 2023-05-15 210133.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FB9/YT28/LHOUVS3K/FB9YT28LHOUVS3K.png&filename=Screenshot 2023-05-15 210133.png)
In this step we need to bend the springs to fit into the grappling hook we printed. We bent them as shown in the photo and attached them to the grappling hook parts and secured them on there.
Attach the Paracord
![Screenshot 2023-05-15 210420.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FET/TR41/LHOUVT2S/FETTR41LHOUVT2S.png&filename=Screenshot 2023-05-15 210420.png)
In this step we attached the paracord to both the grappling hook and the launcher. We tied the paracord through the loop we designed into the hook. Then also around the base of the launcher.
The Final Test
After having all the pieces we need for this to work we put it to the test. We put the potato on the spike of the grappling hook, pushed it down the cannon, fueled it with hairspray and tested it out.