Cams to old?

I am currently in the process of building my trad rack, and have an oppurunity to purchase a large lot of cams (22 cams) from someone who does not climb anymore. The rack includes: a full set of Rock Empire cams (6 years old) and a set of Metolious power cams (4-5 years old) Metolious tcu's (4-5 years old).

I have climbed with the seller before and know that he takes good care of his gear, so that is not the question. I am just wondering is the normal wear and tear on these units too much to make them not worth the investment. (i.e. I would like them to last me for a good while)

FWIW, it is a very good deal.

Thanks for the help.

Unless you see some obvious damage, they should be fine to use. However, they are at the age where you should get them re-slinged (re-slung?). That's about five dollars per cam, plus shipping. Most manufacturers only resling their own cams.

Agree with Frank, However depending on the price including reslinging. you may be close enough to buy a new rack. Also make sure wires and trigger mechanism are in good shape. other wise that more money to rewire them.

daniel arthur wrote:I am currently in the process of building my trad rack, and have an oppurunity to purchase a large lot of cams (22 cams) from someone who does not climb anymore. The rack includes: a full set of Rock Empire cams (6 years old) and a set of Metolious power cams (4-5 years old) Metolious tcu's (4-5 years old). I have climbed with the seller before and know that he takes good care of his gear, so that is not the question. I am just wondering is the normal wear and tear on these units too much to make them not worth the investment. (i.e. I would like them to last me for a good while) FWIW, it is a very good deal. Thanks for the help.

I agree with the last few posts, Metolius should be fine except for maybe a resling. RE I wouldn't buy even if they were new.

I have many Wild Country friends, rigid and flex that still work fine. if they getreally whacked, I just dump them.

Thanks guys. I think for sure it is way more than I need, and the REs are just part of the lot. I have read mixed reviews on them and so I am not sure if I will keep them or not. My initial plans are to take from it what I want/need then sell off the rest of it to try and recover as much of my money as possible. Thanks for your input!

If its a good deal go for it. I ran into a old timer a couple years ago who was still climbing with a pre-manufactred friend on his rack.

I've got access to a good number of old cams through my work at a college. Trad climbing was phased out of the program a while back and the gear left over has not been used for years. They are mostly first and I think second generation BD C4s so they are pushing 20 years old right?

Also, to extend them (no slings on them of course) is a quickdraw cool? or is a sling safer?

Stephen, BD "C4s" are the newest model with the wire thumb loop and double sling around the thumb look. Pre C4 models have the solid metal thumb brace, and the Camalots before that are dual-stem with a wire thumb loop, which are the oldest, these would be the ones that are between 10 and 20 years old I think.

Anything with a sling can be re-slung at Wired Bliss..I think they do any type of cam for a decent price. After 5 years or so this would not be a bad idea, and if you do the whole lot at once, it probably won't be a big deal to ship them.