$3.00 Crampons

I thought it would be nice to get a pair of crampons for touring. The only ones I could find were either really expensive or didnt come close to fitting my skis (Volkl Gotamas). So I made some out of some framing pieces. My receipt from Home depot looks something like this: Frame Anchor [SIMPSON Strong-tie A35Z NER-413] 4@ 1.96, TIE PLATE [SIMPSON... NER-432] 2@ $0.39, TAX 0.24 TOTAL $2.98. You also need some rivets and a rivet gun which I already had laying around. I got to test them out at hyak last friday morning before a long day of bump skiing at alpental. The snow was pretty sticky so it is really hard to tell how well they will work. At least I know the sandwich the crampon between skins method actually holds. They measure somewhere around 115-120 mm. Check out the pictures to see how they fit together.

some photos:

Love it. This makes my cheapskate heart sing. Don't they usually go over the top of the ski?

Love it. This makes my cheapskate heart sing. Don't they usually go over the top of the ski?

That was the original plan. I still may do it but it would involve drilling holes in my skis which i am a bit afraid to try. I did try attaching it to my binding but when I have the heal lifts up they barely reach the snow. I suppose I could try putting some sort of spacer between the binding and the crampon. Ill post again when I get a real icy day test with them.

Thats a great idea! I've been wondering why I would shell out $50 for 2 pieces of aluminum...

I notice with my expensive ski crampons on my fritchis - if I use the heel lifters at all the crampons are practically useless. The dynafit ski crampons seem to have a little spacer thing that allevates some of the problem. Its would be interesting if you could model yours after the dynafit types.

I also believe there is a guy in mt shasta that custom makes ski crampons. would be cool to check out some of his designs also.

I'd be interested in seeing how well they work and how durable they are.    At $3 a pop it's NBFD to replace them for each trip -- but if they fall apart in an exposed place during a trip that might a little less fun.

They must be on the heavy side, that's galvanized steel. But, for $3 bucks, can't complain.
Anyone ever try simply bending some thick aluminum sheeting and cutting with tinsnips? Isn't that essentially what the commercial ones are, or are they cast?

Most likely not casted, there probably cut out on a laser, then formed with a pressbrake. However, they probably use high grade airplane aluminum.