3D Printed Trigger Keepers for C4 Cams?

I was curious if anyone was aware of 3D-printed trigger keepers that could be retro fitted onto the old C4? Seems like someone (that is smarter and more tech-savvy than me) might be able to design a small plastic piece that attaches to the thumb-loop and could "hold" the horizontal piece in the retracted position. Maybe it could be designed so that the plastic is flexed (under tension) when the trigger keeper is engaged that way when it is retracted, it quickly releases, stays attached to the thumb loop, and allows the lobes to open. Perhaps I am missing something? Thoughts?

Deja vu. I swear I read this same post word for word years ago.

Someone did make this btw.

Tylerpratt wrote: Deja vu. I swear I read this same post word for word years ago.

Someone did make this btw.

Damn.. I have searched Thingiverse to no avail. If you happen to come across the thread or the file, I'd love to see it.

There is an example (thread is called Gear Mods?) where someone cut up accessory carabiners and glued them on to mimic the BD design.

Haven't seen a 3D printed retrofit, but I'd be willing to design and share some prototypes, if someone sends me a C4 to test with

Weren't they called "Cam Keepers"a company out of Fort Collins, Colorado,I believe.

Found an article: https://www.actionhub.com/stories/2013/11/11/cam-keeper-climbing-tool-hits-shelves/

What gen of old C4 are we talking here?

My buddy and I developed and printed some cam keepers that work on C4s and Wild Country cams but I haven’t tried them on older C4s that have the metal thumb piece. I have just used them on C4s that have the thumb loop. I’ll try and post some pics this evening. Unfortunately they aren’t the best for actual racking on the harness while climbing. I intended ours to help save space in a pack with multiple big pieces. Interested to hear some feedback and thoughts. I’ll try and get them up tonight!

Just put a piece of linguine through the cam lobes to keep them retracted. Pull trigger a bit to drop it out (or harder to break it into pieces) and plug away. Biodegradable and cheap.

Tree Soloist wrote: There is an example (thread is called Gear Mods?) where someone cut up accessory carabiners and glued them on to mimic the BD design.

Haven't seen a 3D printed retrofit, but I'd be willing to design and share some prototypes, if someone sends me a C4 to test with

Yeah I did it with superglue. Real janky DIY, but it works well and the trigger keep has stayed on and hasn't broken off since! Would be really awesome to see someone 3D print a trigger keeper to retrofit a trigger keeper tho. 

I did something like this a while back with a notched piece I 3d printed and mounted to the stem, it worked ok, easy to rack and unrack, I'm not using it nowadays though. It'd be cool to see other designs. Haven't played with the new bds much yet but they seem fiddly to rerack

Here are some quick pics of the “Raptor Claw” that we printed up. Seems to work on the old 4.5 C4, but works really well on cams with a thumb loop. Like I said earlier not really a solution to racking cams on your harness. I personally don’t see the point on having your cams in the retracted position while climbing unless the cam is really big.

R Sather wrote: Here are some quick pics of the “Raptor Claw” that we printed up. Seems to work on the old 4.5 C4, but works really well on cams with a thumb loop. Like I said earlier not really a solution to racking cams on your harness. I personally don’t see the point on having your cams in the retracted position while climbing unless the cam is really big.

Most people don’t seem to see the point in something like this. Unfortunately in some ways I agree. The Claw seems like one more piece of gear that I’m carrying around and could potentially get dropped or lost out at the crag.
I have however gotten some positive feed back from friends who are big aid climbers. At times they might be bringing triples in #5 & 6 size cams. They liked that the Claw helped save on space and kept the haul bags slightly more organized.
I have other ideas on how to retro fit a new trigger with a keeper on to older style cams, but I think it would involve cutting the old trigger off of the cam. I figured that was kinda silly and haven’t given it much thought since we worked on this Claw idea.

Well let me know if you have any feedback!

Oh wow, really like the design! Looks great! Does the piece stay attached to the thumb loop? If not, that would be the only thing I would worry about for climbing since I don't want to drop anything on someone below me. If you are willing to share the design, I'd love to print some out for packing big cams, though!

R Sather wrote:I personally don’t see the point on having your cams in the retracted position while climbing unless the cam is really big.

Let's you place a bit higher!

Here's my solution, just improving on the twig solution. A quick 3d print, some 1/8" poplar dowel rod, a dab of glue and some micro cord

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4003002 

Douglas Kempthorne wrote: Here's my solution, just improving on the twig solution. A quick 3d print, some 1/8" poplar dowel rod, a dab of glue and some micro cord

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4003002 

Reminds me of a grenade, lol

Noah R wrote:

Reminds me of a grenade, lol

I have called it a grenade pin more than once! 

I know others have done this for a while now, but it works. Sometimes it can be a bit tricky to disengage the cord loops when you're about to place it, but not too bad. I have taken it on routes retracted and it was fine to place, especially if you press the bottom of the cord loops under the thumb, since the top of the cord loops then fall out and away from the trigger. If you might be placing it when super pumped, probably best to carry with lobes open. The cord loops are out of the way once disengaged too

My amigo and I created and printed some cam guardians that work on C4s and Wild Country cams however I haven't given them a shot more seasoned C4s that have the metal thumbpiece. I have recently utilized them on C4s that have the thumb circle. I'll attempt to post a few pics tonight. Sadly they aren't the best for real racking on the tackle while climbing. I proposed our own to assist spare with separating in a pack with various huge pieces. Intrigued to hear some criticism and considerations. Not supporting