Replies

1. 
   crt2cu2 | Jan 23, 2003 09:15am | #1

   Bill,

   Fun thing about this forum is the rare chance meeting of like minded enthusiasts. I am a climber also and have built a few walls. A few suggestions for you- 1st check out Climbing magazine for more intensive tips on building climbing walls. 2nd, use a high quality exterior grade oriented strand board in the thickest type you can find. 3rd, drill lots of holes sized for 'T nuts' to bolt holds to. The more holes the more variety potential for hold configurations. 4th, coat the wall with a couple coats of sand mixed epoxy paint; commercial products are available at a good paint store. 5th, make sure the edges of the OSB is well sealed maybe also by gluing on some type of edgebanding with waterproof glue of course. 6th, pull down!

   sawick

2. 
   Gretchen | Jan 23, 2003 11:05am | #2

   You might want to check Lowe's. They have a "kit" to make a very nice tree house, swing set and the back wall of it is a climbing wall.  You don't make it--you buy it. But the folks you are making it for might like it.  You could at least look at it for ideas for the shapes of the hand holds.

   Gretchen
3. 
   ian | Jan 24, 2003 03:45pm | #3

   Here in Australia I can buy a material known as FORMPLY  which is used for concrete formwork.  The material is 3/4in ply coated with a baked on epoxy - is very waterproof and durable and the edges are not exposed.

   Alternatively I'd steer you towards using compressed fibre cement - modern sheet uses cellulose fibre and here it's available in 1in, 3/4in and I think 5/8in thicknesses.  You can cut it with an angle grinder fitted with a diamond blade or a special dustless cutter.  You can drill into it with a TC tipped drill, just be carefull if you hammer drill it.  Again very heavy - I used the 1in stuff on a job once as permanent formwork.  Only problem is its weight - a full 8 x 4 sheet is really a two person lift.