RRC Archives

it's in the photo gallery. Look under "other climbing" then scroll to KD"s homewall.

Duh!

I've got a small climbing wall in my garage and I love it. It's a great and convenient way to train and it's fun, too. Here is my advice:

1. Don't even think about using any thinner than 3/4" plywood. Studs should go on 16" centers, with 2x4s being fine for up to 8 foot heights and switching to 2x6s much above 8 foot. Screw the plywood onto the studs using self-tapping drywall screws between 2 1/2" and 3" in length and on 8" to 10" centers.

2. Vary the angle, and don't make it too overhanging.

3. Unless you are heavy into the aesthetics of it, don't bother to paint it. Bare plywood is just fine. Grainy, rock-textured coatings will eat up your climbing shoes if you flail.

4. Shop for the holds. Prices vary wildly, especially for bigger holds. I can buy huge holds from Nicro for $9 apiece, where elsewhere a hold that size would run $27 to $36. Beware of package deals that look cheap but have simply included a bunch of tiny low-end screw-ons to keep the price down.

5. T-nuts are cheap. Put between 35-50 per sheet of plywood. I didn't do this and ended up taking them down and drilling more holes. Be sure the T-nuts get pounded in good. Popped T-nuts are a common problem on walls.

Good luck, Dipsi!

ZSpider

kd wrote:

It ain't cheap to do. I probably have $3500. or so in it (including holds) but I'm glad I built it. It has been the source of more than one domestic discussion though.

*********
Holds are more addictive than crack cocaine. Just one more order of pinch grips and slopers and I'll quit. Honest!

ZSpider

Sticker shock

I have had better luck with the T-nuts by placing them in the hole, and then torquing them in place with a wrench, its best to do this with a piece of wood drilled out with the 7/16" bit and using a steel washer for support, you may be able to sink every nut ok with the hammer but I couldn't. The wood and washer sorta serve as a hold and you get a clean seating of the T-nut. Hamsco's carpenter skills were also invaluable, thanks again.

I built my own home gym also, it was a good investment. We built a 32 x 48 foot garage with a 14 foot ceiling, so my wall is 12 foot to the top. I actually used 1 1/2x 1 1/2 square box tubing for the frame and bolted the plywood to it. This construction allowed me to add all sorts of interesting slopes and angles. It is super strong. i'll have to post a pic. I agree with Zspider it has been THE SOURCE of all of my domestic dicussions. But i have greatly improved due to the fact that i can walk down stairs at 11:00 at night and get a great workout.

Use zinc plated T-nut instead of the hot dipped galvanized. You will be very happy when you are pounding those suckers in. I was much more impressed with metolious T-nuts over Cheap Holds' T-nuts. It took twice the time and effort for the Cheap Holds T-nuts. 3/4" plywood is the only way to go especially if you are going past vertical. 15degs is nice! Be sure not to place a 2x4 structure member over the T-nut holes - Oops! I have 17ft of 15deg meeting 17ft of 35deg plus the entire ceiling in a corner of the basement. $600 cost. Make holds out of lumber. It’s super cheap - just time to figure it out. The roof holds are expensive.

Oh boy! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! All of this is going zoooom right over my right brain, blonde head, but my SILTB and friend will get it, I'm sure. I just bought my first box of holds from KYboulder, and they are soooo cool! They feel like rock! Unless I cut into the attic, I will most likely have an eight foot wall. Not sure when I will get started, but the beta will be utilized! Thank you, boys!

Oh yeah! I got rid of domestic discussions at my place a long time ago!

Don't buy your t-nuts from a hold supplier they are really expensive. Get one from someone you know and take it to Fastenall or your local bulk bolt distributer, you will be surprised at the cost difference.