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Long, Version A
Long, Version B
Long, Version C
Short
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| Long, Ver. A | Long, Ver. B | Long, Ver. C | Short |
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I acquired this rack from Pigeon Mountain Industries in the 1970s, but I do not have a record of when or from whom. I acquired a second one used on eBay from Holly Pender in 2009.
My PMI Long, Version A rack is 328 mm. tall, 62 mm. wide, 26 mm. thick, and weighs 746 g. The frame is made from 9.5 mm. stainless steel bent into shape, with an internal width of 33 mm. and a 26 mm. diameter coiled eye. There are six brake bars. I bought this rack with hollow steel bars, but replaced the second bar on one rack with a worn SMC brake bar to help keep the rope centered. The original bars were 19 mm. in diameter and 63 mm. long. Allowing 45 mm. for the rope gives a 67 mm. for spreading the bars.
There are no markings on this rack.
This is a standard length rack of classical design. The steel bars are somewhat faster than aluminum bars. They don't leave a black aluminum oxide streak on the rope (in those days, PMI rope was white), but so what? The oxide does not appreciably affect the strength of the rope, nor does it appreciably cause the rope to wear out any sooner.
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I acquired this rack used on eBay from Gene Clinger in 2008.
My PMI Long, Version B rack is 326 mm. tall, 64 mm. wide, 22 mm. thick, and weighs 643 g. The frame is made from 9.5 mm. stainless steel bent into shape, with an internal width of 34 mm. and a 26 mm. diameter coiled eye. There are six SMC brake bars on this rack. The bars are 19 mm. in diameter and 64 mm. long. Allowing 45 mm. for the rope gives a 70 mm. for spreading the bars.
There are no markings on this rack.
This rack was designed to accept standard carabiner brake bars. In those days, carabiners had standard sizes, so did racks, and brake bars were dirt cheap.
[ Top | Long, Ver. A | Long, Ver. C | Short | Return to Racks ]
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| Front View | Rear View | Left Side View | Right Side View |
I acquired this rack from Kelley Deem at the 2022 Old Timers Reunion.
This rack is 328 mm. tall, 71 mm. wide, 21 mm. thick, and weighs 678 g. The frame is made from 9.5 mm. stainless steel bent into shape, with an internal width of 34 mm. and a 26 mm. diameter coiled eye. There are four unmarked brake bars and two SMC bars. The bars are 19 mm. in diameter and 71 and 64 mm. long, respectively. Allowing 45 mm. for the rope leaves 50 mm. for spreading the bars.
The SMC bars are stamped "SMC."
Although there is room for doubt, the age of this rack, its overall dimensions, the design of the eye and the double-nut closure suggest that it is a PMI rack. The top four bars may be PMI bars, but I have no confirmed PMI aluminum bars to compare with these, and the ends of these bars show signs of home workmanship. Another possibility is that this rack was made by Delbert Province, but another rack believed to be made by Delbert had a hot-bent eye. Kelley did not remember where he got this rack, but remembered getting some gear from Delbert.
[ Top | Long, Ver. A | Long, Ver. B | Long, Ver. C | Return to Racks ]
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| Front View | Rear View | Side View |
I acquired this rack from Pigeon Mountain Industries in the 1970s, but I do not have a record of when or from whom. I probably got it and Long Version A at the same time.
My PMI Short rack is 290 mm. tall, 62 mm. wide, 28 mm. thick, and weighs 557 g. The frame is made from 9.5 mm. stainless steel bent into shape, with an internal width of 33 mm. and a 26 mm. diameter coiled eye. There are five PMI brake bars. The bars are 19 mm. in diameter and 61 mm. long. Allowing 45 mm. for the rope leaves 32 mm. range for spreading the bars.
There are no markings on this rack.
PMI made this shorter version designed for five bars. This is more compact, but also decreases the available range of friction. Treat it as a constant friction device.
[ Top | Long, Ver. A | Long, Ver. B | Long, Ver. C | Short ]
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