|
|
AlanMacNeill
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Sep 2011
Location:
Posts: 1064 |
Building stabalizer out of copper
So...the doctors say that the knee stabilization exercises might be enough, I might actually be able to regain enough range of motion in my knees to be able to attempt a slide delivery again...no guarantees (to be specific, the ortho said "Well...your knees should be able to handle it...the rest of you...well...give it a try and see what happens".
I will, however, need a stabilizer. I see the "do it yourself" plans all over the place using PVC piping.
I'm concerned...I weigh more than the average mixed doubles curling team (working on it...slowly...the knee issues came first, and the resulting lack of motion led to the weight gain... so don't bother with the "just lose the weight fatty" comments, mmkay?), and I have this fear of putting my weight on the PVC to press up after the delivery, or getting off balance during the learning process and putting all my weight on the stabilizer and shattering it.
Is it legal to either make a stabilizer (or strategic parts of it) out of copper or some other metal, or to surround a metal core with PVC pipe, or anything of the sort? Will the extra weight lead to ice damage? Am I overthinking the problem?
2 months until our ice is in...and it's my last year in 5 and under, so I wanna have a good season...good equipment will help
Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged
|
08-01-12 03:29PM |
|
|
| |
|
duct_tape
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Jan 2004
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 1441 |
I don't foresee a problem with using metal for a stabilizer, as long as the metal itself is not exposed.
Metal piping will melt into the surface very easily if your stabilizer ever tips over or whatnot. So I'd be very careful to ensure it's fully covered.
__________________
"Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice, pull down your pants and slide on the ice"
Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged
|
08-01-12 04:38PM |
|
|
| |
|
lolar3288
Drawmaster
Registered: Mar 2009
Location: Burlington
Posts: 638 |
Someone in our club made a few out of welded Aluminum sch 40 pipe with teflon sliding surfaces and they seem ok. I don't know how much the weight would effect people.
Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged
|
08-02-12 09:58AM |
|
|
| |
|
Unregistered
Guest
Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A |
Asside from the fact that copper is expensive, it's very flexible, very reactive, and transfers heat very well. It will rust in no time, and probably mess up the ice. ABS is the black plastic, and it considerably thicker and more durable than the white pvc. you might even be able to reinforce the inside with wood if needed.
Report this post to a moderator | IP: 66.209.61.22
|
08-02-12 10:46AM |
|
|
| |
|
Unregistered
Guest
Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A |
Try schedule 80 instead of the normal schedule 40.
Much thicker
Report this post to a moderator | IP: 12.14.255.98
|
08-02-12 11:01AM |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
AlanMacNeill
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Sep 2011
Location:
Posts: 1064 |
quote: Originally posted by jhcurl
slide with a broom, problem solved.
Which part of "My doctor says I have to have a stabilizer" wasn't clear?
I *might* get the range of motion to slide using the guaranteed stability of a stabilizer, according to the ortho, for this year and probably the remainder of my life, I will not have the stability to slide with a broom unless I ground the broom on multiple points and put a bigass handle on it...at which point it's...a stabilizer...
And even at that, it's a maybe. I may still only be able to use a stick. No huge deal, since at 41, I wasn't likely to contend for Worlds or the Olympics anyhow...I would like to take a crack at Club Nationals someday, however, hence the attempt to figure this thing out.
Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged
|
08-02-12 04:03PM |
|
|
| |
|
CaptMorgan
Drawmaster
Registered: Feb 2009
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 900 |
quote: Originally posted by Unregistered
Asside from the fact that copper is expensive, it's very flexible, very reactive, and transfers heat very well. It will rust in no time, and probably mess up the ice. ABS is the black plastic, and it considerably thicker and more durable than the white pvc. you might even be able to reinforce the inside with wood if needed.
Copper does not rust. It is why they use it for water pipes.
ABS is indeed thicker but finding a pipe with a diameter that is not too large will be difficult. ABS is generally used as drain pipe - 1 1/2” and up. Good for a drain, a bit large to use as a handle.
White PVC is used as sliding crutches because it comes in smaller diameters. 3/4” and 1” make comfortable grips.
Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged
|
08-02-12 08:18PM |
|
|
| |
|
AlanMacNeill
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Sep 2011
Location:
Posts: 1064 |
Actually, what I'm considering now is the white PVC with wooden dowels inside to provide some extra stiffness without a huge weight (or price) penalty.
And from talking a bit to the Master of the Crutch, Mr. Calebrese...I think I have a plan
Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged
|
08-02-12 08:33PM |
|
|
| |
|
Unregistered
Guest
Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A |
the edge glider will hold as much weight as you want and it is very difficult for it to flip out from under you.
Also much more portable because it comes apart and fits in any curling bag.
Report this post to a moderator | IP: 24.108.101.84
|
08-04-12 03:01PM |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
RockDoc
Swing Artist
Registered: Apr 2005
Location:
Posts: 399 |
Two comments:
A well constructed PVC stabilizer will carry an enormous amount of weight. One of our members makes them on request--his design is a 'U' with a 'T' at each end, yielding a 4-footed stabilizer. It can be screwed or glued for strength, or the 'T's can be friction fit to allow them to be collapsed for travel. If you are putting enough weight on these to break them, you will not have a balanced delivery.
We have found that tall, large folks often can adopt the Utica knee slide when the traditional slide is not possible due to weight or strength issues. It is especially adaptable or those with iffy backs or certain types of knee issues. Those with knee replacements may not be allowed to do this slide, though. Knee sliders may use a stabilizer or their broom laid flat on the ice for the non-delivery hand.
Cheers.
Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged
|
08-12-12 04:14PM |
|
|
| |
|
AlanMacNeill
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Sep 2011
Location:
Posts: 1064 |
Yeah, I'm almost certainly going to be Utica style sliding...if at all...had a setback in knee strength last week (my own damn fault for not PT'ing rigorously enough and not pursuing the diet with sufficient rigor to lose the weight the doc said I'd need to lose)...and I might end up on the stick again after all this year...I just don't know right now.
Guess I'll see in about 7 weeks...geez...it's getting close...
Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged
|
08-13-12 02:21PM |
|
|
| |
|
All times are GMT. The time now is . |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Forum Rules:
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
|
HTML code is OFF
vB code is ON
Smilies are ON
[IMG] code is ON
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|