DIY Climbing Stick Question

[NCHunterKP]

Hello everyone, this is my first post here. I am considering rigging up some DIY climbing sticks. My question is concerning steel and aluminum that is commonly available at hardware stores. I’ve been looking at 1” square steel, zinc plated steel, and aluminum stock. 1/16” thickness and I plan to cut them to around 24” long. Pictured are some of the options I’ve been looking at, obviously the steel is heavier. But I guess my question is has only used this commonly available square tubing? Is it strong enough to make climbing sticks? Let’s hear your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[NDH]

Lots of threads on this, and 6061 aluminum seems to be king for this application. I’ve built them using 1/8” thickness, which at 190 is where I’m comfortable. Others have used 1/16”, but as always your safety your choice.

 

[kyler1945]

Hello everyone, this is my first post here. I am considering rigging up some DIY climbing sticks. My question is concerning steel and aluminum that is commonly available at hardware stores. I’ve been looking at 1” square steel, zinc plated steel, and aluminum stock. 1/16” thickness and I plan to cut them to around 24” long. Pictured are some of the options I’ve been looking at, obviously the steel is heavier. But I guess my question is has only used this commonly available square tubing? Is it strong enough to make climbing sticks? Let’s hear your thoughts. Thanks!

Hardware store aluminum is 6063 99% of the time. It will not work for sticks.

If you're bolting things together the steel might work for you. I'd be careful welding on that thin of metal for something structural if you aren't very experienced.

Spend a little time reading around here before you waste your money!

 

[NCHunterKP]

Thanks everyone. I’ll keep looking around. Searching “6063” gave me better results than “diy climbing stick”