Installation and Use of our Holds
As always, feel free to contact us if you need advice or have any questions.
Care and Cleaning
If you are using your new holds on an outdoor wall, we recommend that you remove the holds during the winter season. If your holds need washing, soak them in hot soapy water and then rinse with a sprayer. Holds will quickly air-dry.
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Drilling T-nut Holes
Randomly drill holes in your 3/4” plywood with a 7/16” drill bit. Drill slowly to create a clean hole and minimize splintering the wood. Make certain that these holes are perpendicular to the surface of the wood. Space holes as desired; holes about 8” from each other provides good coverage. Drilling more holes does allow for higher hold density and rotation options. Top
Installing T-nuts
Pound a t-nut into each hole on the back of the wall. Make sure that the t-nut is pounded flat and square with the wood. Top
T-nut Patterns
For a standard climbing wall, we recommend at least 2.25 t-nuts per square foot. This amounts to 72 t-nuts per sheet of plywood. There are three common ways to arrange the t-nuts. There are 72 t-nuts in each example below.
Random
Easy method |
Square Grid
Least preferred method |
Diamond Grid
Advanced method |
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Random - Easy method
The random method does not require much planning. Simply drill holes in random locations, approximately 8" apart from each other. This method helps give the holds a more natural spacing.
Square Grid - Least preferred method
The square grid method is easy to set up, however your holds will end up in straight lines.
Diamond Grid - Advanced method
The diamond grid method requires the most pre-planning when installing t-nuts. The main advantage to this method is that your t-nuts will have equal spacing across the entire wall. In addition, when your studs are spaced at 16" on center they will not interfere with the t-nuts. All sheets should be oriented in the same direction, either vertical or horizontal. Do not mix orientations or the grid will not align properly. Click here for a pdf guide showing the layout for this pattern. Top
Example showing perfect
t-nut spacing across panels |
Example showing how the studs
will not interfere with t-nut holes |
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T-nut Patterns for Lumber
| If you are installing t-nuts in 2x6's or deck boards for outdoor climbing walls or play sets, we suggest using this pattern. This example is for 6" wide lumber. You may need to adjust the spacing depending on the width of your lumber. We recommend setting the lumber vertical as shown. If the material will be in a horizontal position, keep the spacing at a minimum to prevent fingers from getting caught in the gaps. Top |
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Cement Anchor Placements
If you are installing our cement anchors into a solid concrete or cinder block wall, we suggest you use this layout. Be sure to verify the strength of the wall and be certain it is able to support the necessary forces. Top
Click here for Installation info and specifications
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Pre-Installation
Before using your new holds, lay them out and match each hold with a bolt of the proper length and style. Please refer to the Bolt Selection guide on this page for correct bolt selection. Top
Bolt Selection
Check carefully inside the bolt hole of each bolt-on hold to see if there is an embedded steel insert present in order to select the proper bolt. The bolt should protrude through the climbing hold at least the thickness of your wall. Some bolts may protrude further. Top
Installing Holds
Place the bolt in the hold, through the wall, and into the t-nut. Tighten with the appropriate allen wrench until the hold is snug and does not spin. Be careful with small holds as over-tightening may result in breakage. Fasten screw on holds so they are snug. Do not over-tighten the screws and cause them to sink into the hold. Top
Painting your wall
When painting your climbing wall, it is important to allow plenty of drying time before attaching climbing holds. Most paints require 7-14 days for a full cure. If you install climbing holds before the paint is fully cured, the paint may bond to the back of the climbing hold. This will cause the paint to peel off from wall when the climbing holds are removed. It is also prevent paint from getting inside the t-nuts. There are several ways of keeping the t-nuts clean. The most common method is to plug the hole with a small piece of foam or a golf tee. Plugging the holes with foam is the cheapest, but most time consuming method. We recommend using small pieces of 1/2" diameter caulk backing rod. Caulk backing rod is cylindrical shaped foam which is found in the weather stripping section of most home improvement stores. It is usually sold in bags of several yards for a few bucks. Simply cut small 3/8" plugs and press them into the t-nut holes. You can paint right over the plugs and pull them out when the paint dries. Top
Guarantee
We guarantee your satisfaction with every hold. If you are dissatisfied with our product for any reason, please contact us. All holds sold by Crater Holds are guaranteed against breakage. This guarantee is valid only when Crater Holds products are used for their intended purpose, in the intended manner. Please contact us for details. If there are any discrepancies in your order, please notify us within 5 days of delivery. Top
Warning
CLIMBING IS DANGEROUS! Climbing on any surface can lead to serious injury or even death. There are many safety concerns and measures that must be utilized. Indoor climbing is different than outdoor climbing and requires different safety practices and procedures. You are solely responsible to obtain proper training and instruction before usage of our products. Crater Holds, and it's parent company Pyramide USA, Inc., is not responsible for damages, injury, loss, destruction, death, or any other incurred expense from use or misuse of our products. Top |
