[philmont] Gutter Spikes

Let me give you Pholks a little pep talk and bost.
   
  Before I address this inquiry, let me say that unlike some of the accusers, I an not a "my way or the highway" person. I have a long history of experience and willingly share. I have a science degree and was raised in my dad's welding and machine shop. I fully realize that anything can be fixed and anything can be made if you want to badly enough. I carry a homemade pocketknife in my pocket I made from scratch, not from a kit. Take a look at a pocketknife and tell me if that is an easy task.
   
  Anyway, I also believe in the better mousetrap theory and using the right tool for the job and having quality equipment that won't let you down.
   
  I've been getting quite amused at the discussion of water containers. Sometimes we can get a little too carried away with "lightweight" to where it is no longer durable enough to last the mission.
   
  Right now my preference, a comprimise between light and durable and serviceable is the 100 oz Camelback Unbottle. Works and works well for me.
   
  Anyway, gutter spikes.
   
  The reason I like the gutter spikes over "tent pegs" is the spikes are designed to be driven. They are made of tempered aluminum and have a head on then rather than a hook or a loop which is useless when driving them with a rock in hard ground.
   
  Bent wire tent pegs are fine for sandy soft soil. They are useless in rocky ground. Philmont is rocky ground,
   
  Also the head serves as a stopper for a simple plastic washer I made. I paint he heads flourescent orange as Pete suggests and then cut a reflective white washer one oinch in diameter, punch a hole in the center with a paper hole punch and slip the washer on the spike. They reflect with a flashlight beam, a real advantage and the orange on white makes them easy to spot day or night.
   
  I used the plastic placards they use on 18 wheeler tank trucks because they wre priced right at work----read that free. These are available from any trucking company or any chemical or hazardour materials shipper anc come in white or red, not reflective or reflective. I think I coud about 50 washers from one placard.
   
  The one drawback of gutter spikes is they are sharp and willl cpoke a hole in anything. I wrap them in a small but heavy piece of canvas.
   
  I bought the gutter spikes from Gutter Suppliers, Inc., 600 W. 6th Street, Houston, TX 77007 713-861-2727 FAX 713-861-8081. The invoice lists Gutter Suppliers Inc home office as Lambertville, Michigan.
   
  Just because Home Depot or Walmart doesn't have it doesn't mean it isn't made.
   
  I just did a search on the Internet and found http://www.guttersuppliersinc.com/ and on their website they listed hardened aluminum gutter spikes.
   
  I just called 713-861-2727. It's Sunday night but the recording said "gutter suppliers" so give them a try. Nothing ventured nothing gained.
   
  When I wanted to buy some, I got on the phone, talked to the lady that answered the phone and bought a box of them. Do your homework. Get on the phone and order them. No they aren't as popular as they once were, but they are still made and you can find them.
   
  John LeBlanc
   
  *****************************************************************************************
   
   
  All,
   
  Aluminum gutter spikes are very good options for lightweight tent stakes. However, gutter spikes (and the accompanying ferrels) are not used much anymore for installing rain gutters. Most gutter installers are using other (and better) options nowadays.
   
  That usually means that most gutter or home improvement companies that install gutters have boxes and boxes of gutter spikes sitting in their warehouses collecting dust. They're either saving them for the slim possibility of using them on a job sometime in the future or they've forgotten about them altogether. Give them a call, tell them who you are and why you're looking for a donation of 120 or so gutter spikes and they'll probably be more than happy to help you.
   
  From experience, I suggest you do two things after you get your gutter spikes.
   
  1. Paint the heads blaze orange. They'll be far easier to find when they're laying in the dirt.
   
  2. Send a Philmont thank you note to the company who supplied you with the gutter spikes. They'll really appreciate it. The company who donated the gutter spikes to us kept our thank you note, complete with a photo of the Tooth, on his desk for months.
   
  Pete Swiggum
  Green Bay, WI
  Philmont 2005 (& 2010?)
  ICWTGBTP!!!

       
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Received on Sun Apr 20 20:57:08 2008