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Burrs in carabiners (Helium specifically)

Original Post
Andy Laakmann · · Bend, OR · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,990

My rack is pretty much exclusively helium biner's (light!). I've noticed after aid climbs with lots of bolt ladders the hangers groove/burr the biners pretty badly. This appears to happen to non-heliums as well.

Any suggestions on how to polish/file them out without doing more damage? I'm not too concerned about ropes getting trashed in the burrs as much as the dynema slings getting damaged.

Thoughts?

mattallenbach · · Denver Co · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 15

Scotch brite pads are somewhat commonly used to finish/polish metals. So as long as the bur is pretty small that would smooth it out while removing a minimal amount of material.

Phillip Tearse · · Denver, CO · Joined May 2008 · Points: 80

shouldnt this only be happening to your daisy biners on bolt ladders? And the damage should only be on the 'non rope' side of the biner unless it gets flipped ya? Heliums are pretty thin, maybe the smaller surface area in contact with the bolt is enough to scar em.

no1nprtclr · · Front range Colorado · Joined Oct 2006 · Points: 55

I've used a small half round jewelers file . Fine, not a course one; and very gently go over the burs until their down. Then I'll touch it up with very fine emery paper and gently smooth out the file marks. Enjoy a good beer, good tunes, oh I usually will use rubber gloves; I don't like aluminum in my skin. Have fun...

Juan

Evan1984 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 30
Phill T wrote:shouldnt this only be happening to your daisy biners on bolt ladders? And the damage should only be on the 'non rope' side of the biner unless it gets flipped ya? Heliums are pretty thin, maybe the smaller surface area in contact with the bolt is enough to scar em.
Yeah, designate two biners for your ladders. It happens to sport draws after whippers, too. That's the big reason in my mind to designate a bolt end.

Evan
Climbing Around · · Yonkers, NY · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 45

Hey I don't really aid or sport climb, mainly just ice and trad and there will be the occasional piton, but I rarley see bolts so heres my question now.

Will the Burr'd end be sharp enough to damage ropes or slings? Can someone post a picture of one possibly? And how much can you file down until you damage the integrity of the biner?

Thanks.

Sam Lightner, Jr. · · Lander, WY · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 2,732

Leave it and let it remind you to replace the dyneema more often... thats what I do.

mattnorville Norv · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 90

send em to me

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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