Dry tooling woody

I want to build a woody specifically for dry tooling this summer. I am seeing the krukonogi and verticallife holds are super expensive. Any recommendations for holds to use for dry tooling that might be a bit cheaper? Can I just use regular gym holds? I don't really care if they get chewed up by the tools. I was also thinking just bolting random bits of scrap metal on, as cheap, would work for tools, and maybe result in some interesting holds? Any recommendation helps!

Also, I guess any recommendations for route setting? I have never done that before and not sure how it would go aside from just throwing holds on the wall and seeing what sequences are born. 

Thanks!

Plastic holds work great! They break in over time and change like soft rock. You can also make your own holds out of door hinges, banister rail hooks and other random hardware. A U-bolt bolted through a block of wood makes for a bomber stein. 

Just spray the wall with holds and see what crazy sequences you can make up.

Oh oh also volumes add a lot of variety and real estate.

Pat Marrinanwrote:

I want to build a woody specifically for dry tooling this summer. I am seeing the krukonogi and verticallife holds are super expensive. Any recommendations for holds to use for dry tooling that might be a bit cheaper? Can I just use regular gym holds? I don't really care if they get chewed up by the tools. I was also thinking just bolting random bits of scrap metal on, as cheap, would work for tools, and maybe result in some interesting holds? Any recommendation helps!

Also, I guess any recommendations for route setting? I have never done that before and not sure how it would go aside from just throwing holds on the wall and seeing what sequences are born. 

Thanks!

Atomik Climbing makes good shapes suitable for Drytool use. Furnace industries has the steel Krukonogi holds Stateside. The Top Point holds are fabulous but no domestic distributor.

Are you looking to just hang and do laps, or are you looking to do technical training for comps?

Hunks of 2x4 screwed to the wall work well. Hunks of Trex composite decking isn't bad too and a bit more technical. You can also get larger boards and drill holes in them and hang them in whatever convenient configuration works for you (we have done this for figure-4ing). https://www.instagram.com/p/B-VMD39jYlz/

If you want more technical comp holds then you will have to spend money. You can definitely use regular rock climbing holds, but they tend to be softer and wear out quicker.....but drytooling specific holds are expensive and can be hard to get.

You may also want to try to cooperative approach if you have other friends who are interested in drytooling. Build the wall, and then everyone pool their money to buy holds. Plus, having climbing partners will help keep you motivated.

Buy door hinges at the thrift store (or splurge and buy new at under $5). Pull the pin out and you have two drytooling holds. They work great up to 30° overhang. Not sure how they work steeper than that.