anyone use Home Depot climbing rope?

I saw this today and was almost floored. They say its rated to hold 330lbs...

your image doesn't work. But I assume it's of rope for a kids playset. Big deal.

330 lbs? I've got thin wires for aid moves that hold about that much weight....how is this gonna work for a falling climber generaging several thousand pounds of force? Or shall we go to kN instead?
Ive seen that cord in 100 ft. sections and use it alot around the yard or home for holding stuff or tie downs of my kayak. Works fine for intended purposes.

It's 1/2" thick rope. As with almost everything in a hardware store, it's rated for working strength, not breaking strength. Its breaking strength is probably at least 10x @ 3,300 lbs. But I'll let one of you find that out.

That dude in the photo is crushing some HEINOUS gnar for sure. Must get one of these ropes asap.

I've heard of people using similar for fixed lines on mountaineering trips. It'll soak up way less water and I suppose on low angle jumar lines it might be okay.

No idea what HD was thinking though.

I saw the same thing in the local Home Depot here back in September and I wrote the company who makes these products. The company is called Crown Bolt. The rope label says the rope is intended "for outdoor work."

Among other things in my message to Crown Bolt I wrote this:
"I for one would never use your product for any climbing experience. However, there are people out there who just might, and the picture you choose sends a mixed message to these individuals – very dangerous. You might be better off displaying a picture that depicts something within the limitations of your product."

Then a few days later, I got this response from somebody at Crown Bolt:
"Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Your concerns were forwarded to the Marketing Specialist that handles this product. I have been told that we are in the process of changing the artwork for this item which will remove the images you that you see today."

Obviously, after you recently saw the same rope in Home Depot with the same label with climbing equipment, it appears nothing has changed. They’re setting themselves up for big-time liability issues.

escalando-piedras wrote: Obviously, after you recently saw the same rope in Home Depot with the same label with climbing equipment, it appears nothing has changed. They’re setting themselves up for big-time liability issues.

This rope felt hollow on the inside, it was strange and I wouldnt even trust it to anchor/tie up my boat.

I feel the same way-> someone is going to have an accident and sue their ass. hmmmm...

Its also funny that all the stores from 7-11s to the hardware stores are selling para-cord in various forms(bracelets, keychains, knife handles etc). Is this a backlash from the infamous Bear Grillis survival show or what?

here is someones bail gear, I removed many years ago.

It looks like static rope so it might work for setting up an anchor for top rope

I think it needs to be tested.

Cut that rope in half and you will find a core made of a material slightly stronger than paper towels. I've seen people use this exact rope for a handline in the Subway in Zion and watched it get torn apart over an edge.

Don't know what they are thinking by suggesting their product could be used for climbing.

sonvclimbing wrote:here is someones bail gear, I removed many years ago.

Looks like they were using the HD crap as a pull cord. Nothing wrong with that. I have some of that same stuff - wouldn't think of bringing it to the crag for any reason - and the comment below yours is correct, there is nothing in the "core" of the rope except fluff that bulks it out and makes it round. Imagine crumpling up a bunch of dryer static sheets and that's about what the inner stuff looks like.

An observation. While the pictures imply that the product is suitable for climbing, it doesn't give any details or make any specific claims as to it's exact application. The man pictured could be a simiple backpacker, and the line could be employed to lash things onto his pack. The ice axe helmet shot takes it further, but again, it's only a coiled rope... that could be used to carry accessories. My opinion, if you are fool enough to buy this for leading, you've more than earned that death fall.

Back when I was a kid my friends and I used this rope for a pulley system to get up into the tree in my yard. Was rated to 330lbs and none of us weighed that much so we figured we were fine. The first time we got on it we heard a bunch of popping along with the rope elongating. Turns out the paper "core" was ripping and all the strength is in the sheath.

Had we been "smarter" we would have made sure we weren't ever supported by one strand alone.

We've got warnings on peanut butter jars that it contains peanuts, and yet these yahoos are suggesting via the photo on the box that hardware store rope can be used for climbing? Clearly the legal community has missed an opportunity here. Unleash the lawyers!

Craig Childre wrote:An observation. While the pictures imply that the product is suitable for climbing, it doesn't give any details or make any specific claims as to it's exact application.

Per the FTC: 'The FTC looks at the ad from the point of view of the "reasonable consumer" - the typical person looking at the ad. Rather than focusing on certain words, the FTC looks at the ad in context - words, phrases, and pictures - to determine what it conveys to consumers.'

I agree with your point about the backpacker photo, but the FTC considers both express (those explicitly stated) and implied claims when evaluating ads for unfair or deceptive claims. The helmet, axe, and carabiners are all examples of climbing safety equipment used in conjunction with climbing rope; that makes for a pretty strong implied claim.

I also agree that a climber should know better, but consider someone fresh from some REI classes who sees the picture and decides to save some money on gear.

But, why wouldn't hobby rope be safe for climbing?

It has the same pretty colors...

D.Buffum wrote: It even looks like there is an ice screw clipped to that caribiner.

its probably a zinc plated lag bolt(just as good right?) from the same isle.

shit, with ropes, biners, quicklinks, expansion bolts and chain HomeDepot could be the one stop local climbing shop everywhere in the US

Wal Mart and Home Depot should really stick to their own market before they get sued by some idiot n00b's family.

NickinCO wrote:your image doesn't work. But I assume it's of rope for a kids playset. Big deal.

Finally saw the images come up. That' criminal that they imply with the pics that a climber could use this rope. Hope the AAC or someone can intercede and insist this product get relabeled or shown with BIG safety notice that it is not for human weight or forces.