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Did anyone build their own DIY foot hooks/half straps?

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kiteband
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Did anyone build their own DIY foot hooks/half straps?

Postby kiteband » Sat May 08, 2021 1:28 pm

I was thinking about ordering these, but then figured they might be an easy to build item.
https://slingshotaustralia.com.au/produ ... -foot-hook

Did anyone do this already?

I thought that I could probably take a sturdy plastic bar and then bend it accordingly. Then I would just need to cover it up drill two holes and voila. However, I have no knowledge if this really is as easy as it may seem and which kind of plastic I could use.

I guess I could also use some wood and the cover it with glass to get it the strength I need. But I am not sure.

Do you have any ideas on how to do that? Thanks!

Image

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Re: Did anyone build their own DIY foot hooks/half straps?

Postby nothing2seehere » Sat May 08, 2021 2:34 pm

I saw someone who had cut sections of a wheelie bin lid up as the profile where the handles are was the right thickness. That way he didn't need to mess around with melting something and then setting the shape. Seems like the simplest option if you have access to free bin lids

I'll see if I can find the post

kiteband
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Re: Did anyone build their own DIY foot hooks/half straps?

Postby kiteband » Sat May 08, 2021 3:51 pm

Ah, yes. I like the idea!
That is probably even easier than what I originally had in mind. Unfortunately I don't have access to bin lids. :-)
If only I could walk into the next hardware store and take a look around, I might find something suitable..

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fluidity
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Re: Did anyone build their own DIY foot hooks/half straps?

Postby fluidity » Sat May 08, 2021 3:58 pm

I think it was plumet who used cut up chopping board and then heated it to bend into half straps.
I've 3D printed TPU filament lifters to lift truck tie-down strap enough for feet to slip under.

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Re: Did anyone build their own DIY foot hooks/half straps?

Postby kiteband » Sat May 08, 2021 4:08 pm

A cutting board! What a nice idea! I am guessing it is one of these white ones? Do you know how it was heated? Maybe some boiling water will already be enough?

I just looked at a metal version, but I have a tendency to not make this more dangerous as it already is (assuming you somehow fall on it). Image

So, I like the cutting board idea!

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Re: Did anyone build their own DIY foot hooks/half straps?

Postby kiteband » Sat May 08, 2021 6:13 pm

I found the post you mentioned:
viewtopic.php?t=2394150&start=40

Thanks!!

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Re: Did anyone build their own DIY foot hooks/half straps?

Postby gl » Sat May 08, 2021 6:23 pm

I have built a few of them. I did as was suggested and cut up a cutting board into strips. Then I used a heat gun to heat the plastic where I wanted it bent. I heated it on both sides. Once it started to get warm I put light pressure on it and bent it very slowly. I tried doing it once with a torch and it just ended up snapping. When it was bent the way I wanted it I drilled two holes and screwed it to my board. I didn't put any padding around it as I wear boots. I haven't been able to break it.

kiteband
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Re: Did anyone build their own DIY foot hooks/half straps?

Postby kiteband » Sat May 08, 2021 8:18 pm

That sounds great! I do not have a heat gun, but a regular hair dryer. Maybe that will also work. I might just dip it in hot water and see how far that gets me.

Thanks for the feedback! :-)

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Re: Did anyone build their own DIY foot hooks/half straps?

Postby nixmatters » Sat May 08, 2021 8:23 pm

Why bother if you can get Dakine for almost half the price of the Slingshot half hooks?

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Re: Did anyone build their own DIY foot hooks/half straps?

Postby kiteband » Mon May 10, 2021 10:52 am

Thanks for the tip on the Dakine Cobra!

Instead of getting two hooks it seems you are getting just one, which essentially comes down to the same price per hook as for slingshot, where you get two half hooks. Nevertheless, it is a good option to have (if it weren't so sold out), because I think one might actually be sufficient.


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