DIY fiddle stick question

Howdy y’all, I’m trying to test out some fiddle stick designs and was wondering if 1/2 inch plexiglass in place of lexan would be sufficient. Any insight on this would be appreciated!

All I have to offer is getting in the first YGD!

Otherwise I'd point you towards r/canyoneering, I've not seen too much good canyoneering/ghosting beta here on the proj over the years but def some misinformation in that department. 

Off the top of my head, fiberglass has fibers and sort of splits/frays a more over time, especially during cutting, as compared to polycarbonates and lexan. It is also not nearly as strong. You'd probably live either way.

Edit: oops, op question wasn't about fiberglass but rather plexi, my bad on reading comprehension. Post some pics if you make something! 

Lou Wss wrote:

Howdy y’all, I’m trying to test out some fiddle stick designs and was wondering if 1/2 inch plexiglass in place of lexan would be sufficient. Any insight on this would be appreciated!

Isn't Lexan just a trademark name for plexiglass?

Gunkiemike wrote:

Isn't Lexan just a trademark name for plexiglass?

From what I understand lexan is polycarbonate and plexiglass is acrylic. They have difference in impact strength and lexan is the preferred material but What im not sure about is how much of the strength is actually required vs just “being on the safe side”

Alex Styp wrote:

All I have to offer is getting in the first YGD!

Otherwise I'd point you towards r/canyoneering, I've not seen too much good canyoneering/ghosting beta here on the proj over the years but def some misinformation in that department. 

Off the top of my head, fiberglass has fibers and sort of splits/frays a more over time, especially during cutting, as compared to polycarbonates and lexan. It is also not nearly as strong. You'd probably live either way.

That’s good advice! Thanks buddy.

Lexan is way more impact resistant than Plexi. 15x more.

Lexan will bend before it breaks. Plexi will just snap. 

I'd would also worry that Plexi might shatter when it hits the ground.

I'm not sure it's a good idea to be making something like that at home without being able to do real material testing, but good luck on your endeavor. Stay Safe!

I don’t use fiddlesticks, but I do use acrylic (plexi) at work and it fractures fairly easily with the type of bending it will get in the knot, and when dropped whereas polycarbonate will deform more elastically. I’m guessing you’re asking because you have a laser cutter, but don’t risk it for convenience.

Hownot2 has a fiddlestick break test video where you can see how much the plastic wants to bend in the knot. 

Lou Wss wrote:

From what I understand lexan is polycarbonate and plexiglass is acrylic. They have difference in impact strength and lexan is the preferred material but What im not sure about is how much of the strength is actually required vs just “being on the safe side”

Worked in plastics for a bit. This is correct. Lexan and Plexiglas are trademark brands for more general materials like polycarbonate and acrylic. 

There are MANY MANY different types but similar looking plastics. As stated above they have **wildly different** material properties. The good news is that the MDS info is generally available, but make sure you know what you are getting (and what you want) before you buy. You cannot identify plastics just by looking at it. 

Lou Wss wrote:

Howdy y’all, I’m trying to test out some fiddle stick designs and was wondering if 1/2 inch plexiglass in place of lexan would be sufficient.

The correct size piton would work too, though there are some frictional issues. And don't let it hit you on the way down!

Marc801 C wrote:

The correct size piton would work too, though there are some frictional issues. And don't let it hit you on the way down!

Just use a super long dong. A bit of lube helps with the frictional issues.

I have a handful of them made of HDPE that is just under .5”.  Highly durable, doesn’t flex in the knot, pulls easily and when it gets a ding from long pulls can be easily smoothed with a pocket knife or even a piece of rock. 

I made one out of UHMWPE.  It's slippery, super durable, and lightweight.

What’s a fiddlestick?

Miss Cat wrote:

What’s a fiddlestick?

https://www.canyoneeringusa.com/techtips/fiddlestick?format=amp

It's a way of remotely releasing a knot so you can rappel the full length of your rope

Marc801 C wrote:

https://www.canyoneeringusa.com/techtips/fiddlestick?format=amp

Very cool idea, I’d be a bit scared rapping the first time.

i'm ignorant to the use of fiddlesticks, but why not use a beal escape or the like?

check out Jordan's custom made escapers which are tried true. i love mine.

jcs

jackscoldsweat wrote:

i'm ignorant to the use of fiddlesticks, but why not use a beal escape or the like?

check out Jordan's custom made escapers which are tried true. i love mine.

jcs

It's just two ways to accomplish the same thing.  I guess one benefit of the fiddlestick is that you can wrap giant natural anchors like big trees or boulders.  The downside is you need a long pull cord for the fiddlestick.

Sam Skovgaard wrote:

It's just two ways to accomplish the same thing.  I guess one benefit of the fiddlestick is that you can wrap giant natural anchors like big trees or boulders.  The downside is you need a long pull cord for the fiddlestick.

Okay yes, both accomplish the same thing. But, your mentioned benefit is also addressed with Jordan's escaper. A full retrieval using a 'string' when rapping from larger objects such as trees or boulders.

Rappelling from a tree, sling not left behind.

 You must use a sling, you cannot wrap the Escaper rope directly around the tree - too much friction, it won't release.  The pink string  retrieves the sling from the tree.  No carabiner is needed - there is little weight on the sling when the Escaper threading tail is in motion during pulldown, therefore little heat or wear is generated.  The string has loops on either end.  You girth hitch the string to one side of the sling.  Thread the rappel rope through the other loop just before passing the rope into the Escaper and finishing your follow-through knot.  The dyneema string is rated for 100lbs and can be broken if the sling hangs up on a feature.

jcs